Walt Disney World has officially pulled back the curtain on its highly anticipated Magic Kingdom expansion — and yes, the name is simply Villains Land. Imagineers Bruce Vaughn and Creative Executive Director Caroline May made the announcement during the Horizons Disney Experiences Showcase at the 2026 D23 Expo, putting to rest months of speculation about what the area would be called.
The land's story centers on a corrupted Wishing Well deep in a dark, enchanted forest — a place where an ancient evil wish has poisoned the magic and drawn a roster of fan-favorite villains to build their personal lairs. Characters confirmed to have a presence include Cruella de Vil, the Evil Queen, and Dr. Facilier, each with updated, elevated looks and architecture that reflects their distinct personalities. Disney describes the tone as sophisticated and elegant rather than shadowy and hidden, with the villains very much in their element.
Two headline attractions anchor the land. The first is a roller coaster centered on Maleficent, sending riders racing through enchanted briars toward her mountaintop fortress. Imagineers teased that the coaster will include ride elements never before attempted on a comparable attraction. The second is a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror, who whisks guests into his mystical Mirror Realm beneath the Evil Queen's palace — a space filled with special effects and physical set pieces bringing a wide array of Disney villains to life.
Scale-wise, Disney confirmed that Villains Land alone is comparable in footprint to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios, which should give fans a sense of just how substantial this addition will be. The expansion sits beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and will include dining and shopping alongside the two major rides. A separate Piston Peak area accounts for much of the visible construction currently underway.
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Full details, concept art, and in-person observations from the ride model were reported by Disney Tourist Blog.
