Villains Land: A look ahead to D23 Expo

With D23 Expo coming up next month, I’m taking a different approach to predictions this year. Instead of putting together one massive list, I’ll focus on a few projects in the lead-up to D23 and share my thoughts on what we might hear during the event.

For each one, I’ll break down what Disney has officially confirmed and what I expect to hear. I’ve tried to highlight all of the major details but may have missed a few.

First up: Villains Land.

• Disney officially announced Villains Land on Aug. 10, 2024, during the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

• The multi-acre land is coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Together with the neighboring Cars-themed development, it will form the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

• The land will feature multiple classic Disney villains rather than focusing on a single movie or character. Disney has referred to them as iconic villains that fans “know and loathe.”

• The land is described as a place where “happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream.”

• Disney has described the setting as a “dark and thorny” environment shaped by the ambitions of Disney’s villains.

• Villains Land will include two major attractions.

• Dining and shopping have been part of the plans since the original announcement. Disney’s current expansion overview describes the offerings as “immersive dining” and “themed retail.”

• Imagineering began developing the land by studying the original animated films and consulting with Walt Disney Animation Studios artists.

• Disney said the goal is for the buildings and physical environment to reflect the look and feel of the villains’ animation, rather than simply adding villain imagery to conventional structures.

  

• The land’s architectural design is heavily influenced by European Art Nouveau. Imagineers researched architecture in Paris and Barcelona, including fluid forms, swirling natural motifs, stained glass, painted metalwork and rich colors.

• Imagineers coined the term “Conjured Architecture” to describe the land’s design language, which blends real-world historical architecture with fantastical and villainous worlds.

Disney has not announced an opening year, season or date for Villains Land, nor has it confirmed whether that will ultimately be the land’s official name. We also do not know the full roster of villains or which characters will appear in the attractions, restaurants and shops.

Although Disney has confirmed two major attractions, it has not revealed their names, ride systems, storylines or featured villains. It also remains unclear whether either will be a roller coaster, dark ride or another type of experience. While the artwork clearly shows a coaster, technically this has not been officially confirmed.

Disney has similarly shared few details about dining and retail. We do not know how many restaurants, lounges, food stands or merchandise locations are planned, what formats they will take or what any of them will be called.

Other unanswered questions include whether the land will feature character encounters, live or nighttime entertainment, or a dedicated stage show. It is also unclear whether every structure and element shown in the original 2024 concept art remains part of the current plan. We’re also not 100% sure whether the land will include a train station. That detail may remain unknown for a while longer, at least until we get a closer look at a model of the land.

There are probably plenty of other details we still don’t know, but I’m not expecting Disney to reveal everything at this year’s event. So, let’s get into what I think we might learn.

Rumors have swirled online that Disney has reconsidered its original vision for Villains Land since it was revealed in 2024, including changes to themes and concepts being developed for several attractions. Of course, it is difficult to say the plans have “changed” when Disney never publicly revealed the full scope of the land. Still, I expect we’ll all be on the same page after this year’s D23 Expo.

Among the rumors reported by TheWrap: A previously planned Maleficent thrill coaster has evolved into a more family-friendly coaster themed to The Emperor’s New Groove; Maleficent may instead anchor a major indoor, water-based attraction; and a third, smaller attraction could be an Ursula-themed spinner. None of those details have been confirmed by Disney, and, to be honest, I’ll be surprised if Disney confirms any of them.

Here’s what I think makes the most sense:

I think Disney is moving forward with the Maleficent coaster. It’s possible Disney has looked at ways to make it more accessible to younger audiences, but I’m still expecting a ride that brings the thrill.

As for the land’s second major attraction, I’m leaning toward a dark ride featuring the Magic Mirror storyline that has been speculated about in the past. It makes sense and would be a great way to bring in different villains as part of an expanded storyline.

And while I’d love to see Disney find a way to add a third attraction, I’m not expecting that announcement. But I love a good surprise!

As for the rest of the land, I think a Hades table-service restaurant makes too much sense not to do. This is one of the rumors that’s been floating around online and was also mentioned in TheWrap’s reporting. It lines up with my thinking and what I’ve heard, and it absolutely passes the smell test.

TheWrap and others have speculated about a coaster themed to The Emperor’s New Groove replacing the Maleficent coaster. I could be wrong here, but I just don’t buy it. However, as is often the case with rumors, it’s more likely that the IP got mixed up and we’ll see characters from that film elsewhere in the land. A Kronk-themed quick-service restaurant would be a lot of fun.

There have also been rumors of a Haunted Mansion lounge, similar to the Haunted Mansion Parlor on Disney’s ships, being incorporated into the land. Given the size of the land, a lounge feels like a lock and The Haunted Mansion would be an obvious fit. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Disney went with a Dr. Facilier lounge, especially given the popularity of Dr. Facilier’s Parlor on the Disney Destiny and the fact that the character has already appeared in concept artwork shared for the land.

Or what about an Ursula-themed karaoke lounge where, thanks to Ursula, no one can actually sing? You still get a chill lounge, but the whole shtick is that no one can use the microphones. This started as a silly joke in my head, and now I’m completely attached to the idea and 100% rooting for it to happen.

As for the land’s themed retail, I’m not sure how much story will be incorporated into the locations, but I do think Disney will tie each merchandise shop to a specific villain or group of villains. Imagine a Captain Hook shop that sells right-handed oven mitts, a Mother Gothel boutique specializing in anti-aging creams, a Madam Mim store packed with magical potions, or a Cruella de Vil boutique where everything comes in black-and-white spots.

The specific merchandise ideas above are obviously jokes, but I do think those characters are likely to appear in the land.

I don’t expect Disney to reveal every detail about Villains Land since we’re still years away from opening, but I do think D23 will be a great opportunity to fill in some of the blanks.

How many blanks will be left? We’ll find out together on Aug. 15 during the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase.” I’ll be covering everything in real time on Twitter, so make sure you’re following me there.