Disney Villains Credit: Photo via Disney Parks
When Disney revealed a Villains land would soon call Magic Kingdom home, fans began speculating just how dark and creepy the previously named “Beyond Big Thunder” project would be.

That reveal was in August at D23 in California. The company held another D23 showcase of movies, TV shows and park projects in Brazil this weekend. In a panel, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed the new land will draw inspiration from 13 classic Disney villains.

“This new land will be home to the villains you know and loathe,” he said in the panel, Entertainment Weekly reported.

Attendees also got to see portrait art of the 13 villains featured in the land: The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmations), Jafar (Aladdin), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), Mother Gothel (Tangled), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Hades (Hercules), Chernabog (Fantasia) and two versions of both the Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty).

D’Amaro revealed the land’s story, which allows guests to immerse themselves in a world where a magic spell has brought all these villains from their realms into one place.

“In this land, heroes don’t come to save the day — and there may not be a happily ever after,” he said.

The Disney Villains land may be the darkest experience in the parks when it opens. It likely won’t be as dark and creepy as Universal’s Dark Universe land at Epic Universe, but it’s great to see Disney finally embrace its beloved baddies.

The Villains land will include two major attractions, dining, shopping and immersive, interactive theming. Previously released concept art hints at a roller coaster, a couple of creepy castles and Maleficent in her dragon form.

Villains land, and the nearby Cars land taking over Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, are part of Magic Kingdom’s biggest expansion in park history. Construction on the Cars land is expected to begin sometime next year, with the Villains land likely taking shape not far behind it.

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This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2024.