Credit: Edited by Inside the MagicMagic Kingdom is about to get a little darker—and a whole lot more devious.
The much-anticipated Disney Villains land is on its way, promising a place where poison apples are plentiful, spells are cast without warning, and happy endings feel more like distant dreams. Fans have been buzzing about the project since it was unveiled at D23, but until now, Disney has kept most of the details cloaked in mystery.
When Disney first announced the land, the vision was clear: a new space with two major attractions, themed dining, and immersive shopping experiences. The design, heavily inspired by Maleficent’s castle, aims to bring together some of the most infamous names from Disney’s animated history.
Imagine wandering through the sinister corridors of a villain’s lair or catching sight of your favorite baddie plotting their next move—it’s all part of the plan.
The idea taps into a long-standing fan fascination. Villains have always had a special place in Disney lore. From Captain Hook’s scheming to Ursula’s wheeling and dealing, they’re the characters people love to hate.
Giving them an entire land feels like a natural evolution, and Disney has hinted that the scale of this expansion could redefine what a Magic Kingdom experience can be.
Disney Gauging Fan Reactions
And now, it looks like Disney is finally getting serious about who’s going to make the cut. A new guest survey has been circulating, asking park visitors to share their familiarity and feelings toward a long list of villains.
While big names like Maleficent, Jafar, the Evil Queen, and Hades are already confirmed for the land, the survey includes some deep cuts—characters like Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove), The Horned King (The Black Cauldron), Stromboli (Pinocchio), Ratigan (The Great Mouse Detective), and Madam Mim (The Sword in the Stone).
The questions go beyond recognition, probing how “appealing” guests find each villain. It’s a move that suggests Disney is looking to balance star power with fresh, unexpected faces that could make the land feel unique.
While Scar, Shere Khan, and other animal villains might be tricky to incorporate as live meet-and-greets, they could inspire attraction themes, show moments, or even shop concepts.
A Land Built for Chaos
Of course, this doesn’t mean every villain on the list will get top billing. The final lineup will likely be a mix of marquee names and cult favorites, ensuring both casual visitors and hardcore Disney fans have something to be excited about.
And given the land’s promise of chaos and unpredictability, it wouldn’t be surprising if the roster shifts over time—villains are nothing if not opportunistic.
The land is still in early development, with no official opening date set, but Disney’s Imagineers are already moving dirt and sketching out the details. Between the striking concept art and the tantalizing hints in guest surveys, it’s clear that this isn’t just a side project—it’s being positioned as one of the most ambitious additions Magic Kingdom has seen in years.
If the idea of walking straight into a villain’s domain sounds thrilling, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a fan of the classics like Cruella and Captain Hook or secretly rooting for lesser-known troublemakers, Disney’s new Villains land might just become the ultimate playground for the dark side of happily ever after.