Credit: DisneyWhen Disney announced Villains Land in 2024, fans were ecstatic.
For years, the idea of a space dedicated to Disney’s darker characters—Maleficent, Ursula, Hades, Jafar, and more—had lived only in rumor and fan speculation. It felt bold, different, and like a promise that Disney was finally listening to its audience. But now, as the dust settles on that announcement, the reality is sinking in: Villains Land may be farther away than anyone hoped, if it even happens at all.
Other Projects Taking Priority
The problem for Villains Land isn’t a lack of interest—it’s Disney’s long list of projects ahead of it. At Magic Kingdom, the company has already greenlit Piston Peak National Park, a Cars-inspired expansion that will reshape the back of Frontierland. That project alone isn’t expected to open until 2028, likely at the earliest, meaning years of construction and financial investment before any serious attention will shift to Villains Land.
And Piston Peak isn’t alone. Disney has also prioritized Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, a massive land that promises to be the park’s next evolution after the loss of DINOLAND. Meanwhile, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting its own refresh with a Monsters Inc. land, shifting focus and resources there as well.
All of these expansions require budget, manpower, and time—leaving Villains Land sitting in the nebulous “Phase 2” category with no clear start date.
More Than Five Years Away
Even in the most optimistic scenario, Villains Land is unlikely to see real progress until after Piston Peak is complete. If that project pushes into 2028, Villains Land would realistically be targeting the early 2030s before it could even open its gates, potentially later.
That’s a timeline stretching well beyond five years, and Disney fans know that projects in this kind of limbo often fade into cancellation. Just look at EPCOT’s Mary Poppins ride or the Play! Pavilion—both confirmed, both scrapped quietly later.
Why Fans Are So Invested
The sting is sharper with Villains Land because of how unique it felt. While expansions like Tropical Americas and Monsters Inc. lean on established Pixar and nature themes, Villains Land promised something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Disney Parks. A place where the villains get the spotlight, where fans could experience a darker, more thrilling corner of Magic Kingdom. Social media lit up with speculation after the reveal—talk of villain lairs, underworld rides, and a possible villain castle.
Losing that momentum now feels less like a scheduling delay and more like a betrayal of trust. Disney fans have asked for this land for years, and finally getting it confirmed only to watch it pushed off indefinitely could become one of the most frustrating disappointments in park history.
A Dream at Risk
To be clear, Disney hasn’t canceled Villains Land. But its placement as a Phase 2 project with no updates, combined with Disney’s packed slate of other expansions, makes the timeline feel like a bust. Fans could be waiting close to a decade before setting foot in the land—if they ever get to at all.
For a project that once felt like a turning point in how Disney listens to its audience, the silence around Villains Land is deafening. If the company lets this one slip away, it won’t just be another unrealized idea—it’ll be a heartbreak that lingers far longer than any construction delay.
What To Expect at Magic Kingdom Over the Next Few Years
-
Construction walls are already up around parts of Frontierland, signaling the start of massive changes coming to the park.
-
Rivers of America has been drained, with sections blocked off to guests. It’s expected that the waterway will eventually be completely filled in to make way for new projects.
-
Piston Peak National Park—a Cars-themed expansion—is planned to rise in this space, though it won’t be complete until at least 2028.
-
Villains Land remains in Phase 2, sitting behind these projects in Disney’s priority list. Even in the best-case scenario, it’s likely more than five years away.