Disney's New Villains Land to Bring Magic Kingdom's Dark Side to Life
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is getting a new land dedicated to iconic Disney villains. The Villains Land, as it will be officially known, is set to take over a portion of Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, expanding the park's footprint into previously undeveloped property.
The land will feature two main attractions: a Maleficent-themed roller coaster and an Evil Queen-inspired dark ride. The latter will star the Queen and her Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with some other notable Disney villains making appearances throughout.
Imagineers worked closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios to develop the story behind Villains Land, which revolves around a classic fairy tale trope: the wishing well. According to Caroline May, Walt Disney World's Executive Creative Director, 'What happens when a mysterious stranger makes an evil wish in a wishing well? What happens if that wish corrupts the well, breaks it open, and fuses the forest with this poison magic?' The story follows classic Disney Villains as they hear about the poison magic and travel to the cursed land to craft their own perfected evil lairs.
Anticipation for Villains Land is high among fans, and Imagineers are aiming to deliver on that excitement by leaning into what makes Disney villains special. 'These are incredibly intriguing characters because they're unashamed of who they are,' May said. 'They don't ask for permission. They're really smart. They're stylish. They're funny.'