Credit: DisneyFor years, the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion at Magic Kingdom was the ultimate Disney “What If?” It was a shadowy forest of potential where fans hoped the bad guys would finally get their due. In late 2024, that dream was officially christened as Villains Land, and as we move through February 2026, the project has transitioned from “Blue Sky” sketches to a complex landscape of soil grading, utility lines, and civil engineering.
However, the latest paperwork has sent the Disney community into a frenzy. A series of new permits filed with the South Florida Water Management District in late February 2026 has revealed a startling shift in the land’s structural strategy. When compared to the preliminary “site prep” filings from just a month ago in January, the new blueprints suggest that Disney isn’t just building a land—they might be rewriting the entire script for the Magic Kingdom’s northwest corner.
Here is the deep dive into the changing permits, the mysterious building footprints, and the massive rumors currently swirling around the “Mistress of All Evil” and her wicked associates.
The February Pivot: A Tale of Two Permits
In the world of theme park construction, permits are the “smoking gun.” While Disney remains tight-lipped about the exact nature of its rides, the footprints it files for water management and building foundations tell a silent story of scale and intent.
In January 2026, initial filings showed a general layout of two massive “Facility” buildings. However, the February 2026 permits represent a significant “high-definition” upgrade. The outlines have become more defined, the utility connections have moved, and—most importantly—the water management system has been completely rerouted.
According to an analysis by BlogMickey, these changes are significant because they suggest the project isn’t “locked in.” In fact, the revised blueprints align perfectly with a growing industry rumor: that Disney leadership ordered a “Great Reset” of Villains Land late last year, demanding that Imagineers “dream bigger and bolder” to compete with the imminent opening of Universal’s Epic Universe.
The Footprint of Evil: What the Blueprints Actually Show
It is essential to clarify a key point for those tracking the news: The permits only show the buildings. They do not list ride titles, character names, or mechanical specs. However, the physical dimensions disclosed in the February filings have given speculators a playground.
The Massive “Facility A” (The 70,000 Sq Ft Anchor)
The largest structure in the Villains Land footprint measures approximately 70,000 square feet. To put that in perspective, this is comparable to the massive show building that houses Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The sheer volume of this space suggests a multi-level, high-capacity indoor attraction. The February permits show a refined entrance plaza for this building, suggesting it will be the “Main Street” equivalent of the land’s dark heart.
The Mystery Facility B (The Subterranean Hub)
The second central structure permits a floor area of approximately 48,000 square feet. Interestingly, the February filings include more complex subterranean work around this site. The inclusion of specialized drainage and electrical “sub-pits” suggests this building will house significant machinery—potentially a drop-track or a high-tech kitchen facility for a large-scale dining experience.
The Rumor Mill: If These Foundations Could Talk
While the permits provide the bones, the “insider” reports from sources like The Wrap and WDWNT have provided the meat. The shifts in building shapes from January to February have fueled three specific, massive rumors that are currently dominating the discourse.
1. The “Secret Lab” Coaster Swap
For a long time, the assumed headliner for Villains Land was a high-thrill, thorny roller coaster themed to Maleficent. However, the latest reports suggest a total pivot. Rumors now indicate that the land’s coaster will be a family-friendly, high-theming experience based on Yzma’s Secret Lab from The Emperor’s New Groove.
The reason? Capacity and “The Lever.” Insiders suggest that a coaster similar to Slinky Dog Dash—but with a “Pull the lever, Kronk!” drop-track moment—would be a better fit for a park that needs high-capacity “people eaters.” The building footprints in the February permits show a structure ideally suited for a multi-launch coaster that winds through an indoor laboratory.
2. Maleficent’s “Forbidden” Water Odyssey
If Maleficent isn’t getting the coaster, does she still rule the land? The rumors suggest an even bigger upgrade. Instead of a coaster, the “Mistress of All Evil” is now rumored to be the star of a mega-scale indoor water ride.
Speculation suggests a ride system similar to Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland. By using a water-based system, Disney can deploy massive, state-of-the-art A-1000 animatronics (like the dragon seen in the Fantasmic! reimagining) while protecting them from the elements in Florida. The February permits’ rerouted water lines have only added fuel to this “hydro-E-ticket” fire.
3. Dining with the Dead: Hades’ Dinner Show
The February permits show a complex foundation for a central dining hub. The rumor? A Hades-hosted Dinner Show is described as a “villainous” take on the Diamond Horseshoe. Imagine a full-service, prix-fixe restaurant where the Lord of the Dead (and his associates Pain and Panic) mock and entertain guests. This would replace a previously rumored Rescuers-themed “Madame Medusa” tavern, in line with the “Bigger and Bolder” initiative.
The “Obsidian Wall”: Total Visual Isolation
One of the most impressive technical details found in the February filings is the “Topographical Rock-Work Infrastructure.” Disney is effectively building a “mountain wall” of jagged, obsidian-style rock.
The February permits show this berm is significantly taller and more jagged than the January versions. This confirms that Villains Land will be a “sink-in” environment. Once you step “Beyond Big Thunder,” the rest of Magic Kingdom—including Cinderella Castle—will be completely obscured. It is an “all-in” commitment to total immersion that the original 2024 plans only hinted at.
The D’Amaro Legacy: Why Now?
The timing of these permit changes is no coincidence. As of this month, Josh D’Amaro has been officially named the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company. For D’Amaro, Villains Land is not just an expansion; it is his “Legacy Project.”
“Every CEO gets a chance to put a land in the Magic Kingdom. This is his shot,” says a source close to the project. The mandate to “dream bigger” is likely a strategic move to ensure that his tenure begins with a definitive, “Epic Universe-killing” masterpiece. By pivoting to more complex, indoor attractions, he is ensuring the land remains reliable and marketable for decades to come.
Conclusion: A Wicked Masterplan in Motion
While the February 2026 permits don’t explicitly say “Pull the Lever, Kronk” or depict a fire-breathing dragon, they do reveal a project in rapid, ambitious evolution. The shift in building footprints and water management indicates that Disney is no longer playing it safe.
They are terraforming the Magic Kingdom to make room for a land of “incredibly twisted grand scale.” Whether you’re excited for a laboratory coaster or a subterranean underworld tavern, one thing is sure: the villains are coming, and they are bringing a level of ambition that the Magic Kingdom hasn’t seen since 1971.
Would you prefer a Yzma-themed “Secret Lab” coaster over a Maleficent dragon flight? Or are you just here for the Hades dinner show? Let us know in the comments below!