Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land Will Reportedly Include an ‘Emperor’s New Groove’ Roller Coaster, Maleficent Boat Ride & More
The biggest news coming out of 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Fan Event was the announcement that a new Disney Villains land was coming to Magic Kingdom.
According to Disney, the new land will be home to the Disney Villains that fans have come to loathe and love.
Photo: Omelete
“The evil ambition of all these Villains means that the possibilities are endless for the stories that can be told. Visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way,” Disney teased.
While Disney teased that the new Villains Land would include two attractions, dining, and shopping, details on the project have been scarce.
Photo: Disney
Now, we finally have a major update!
Disney Is Overhauling Villains Land
According to a new report from TheWrap, Disney has scrapped its original plans for the Villains land in favor of bigger and bolder ideas.
Photo: Bob Iger on Instagram
With Josh D’Amaro now installed as the company’s next CEO, Villains Land has become a priority.
Analyzing Smugglers Run, D’Amaro’s observations were astute.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company-
Josh D’Amaro (Chairman; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products)
“Guests like it,” he told Harvard Business Review. “They don’t love it.”
The Big Change
As explained in TheWrap’s report, Imagineers were told just before the holiday break that Villains Land might be redone.
When they returned, the overhaul had been green-lit.
The goal for D’Amaro is for Imagineers to create a must-see land that will see guests extend their Disney World vacations to ensure that they spend time there.
So, how has the project changed?
‘An Emperor’s New Groove’ Roller Coaster
The original concept art for the Villains Land showed a large outdoor roller coaster themed after Sleeping Beauty.
Villains Land
The E-ticket attraction was to star Maleficent and serve as a hardcore thrill ride.
Now, however, the plans have changed.
Instead of a high-octane thrill ride, Imagineers are working on a family-friendly coaster similar to Slinky Dog Dash.
Forgoing the Maleficent theme, this new attraction will be tied to The Emperor’s New Groove, perhaps recreating the roller coaster ride that Yzma and Kronk take to their lair.
Maleficent Boat Ride
While Maleficent will no longer star in the roller coaster ride, she will be represented in a new indoor water ride that TheWrap says could draw inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
Photo: Dynamite
Interestingly, the ride will be designed on the scale of Radiator Springs Racers or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to ensure that it warrants a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Urusla Spinner
Finally, there are reportedly plans for an Ursula-themed attraction similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Photo: Disney
This ride will draw on plans for a Little Mermaid hub-and-spoke attraction that was initially designed for Disney California Adventure.
Hades Dinner Show
Outside of the attractions, Villains Land will also feature a Hercules-themed dinner show starring Hades.
This dining experience will feature a full-service, sit-down restaurant with prefix dining.
Pain, Panic, and other Disney villains will also join in on the fun.
Pain and Panic
Initially, Villains Land was slated to get a restaurant themed to Madam Medusa from The Rescuers.
Those plans have been scrapped.
What’s Next?
While Disney has yet to finalize the current plans for Villains Land, an official green light could come soon.
The updated plans will reportedly be turned in to D’Amaro, who will then present them to the board for final approval.
