Disney Keeps Its Promise, Villains Land Will Make Magic Kingdom Bigger Than Ever

Walt Disney World Resort is keeping a major promise to its guests by expanding the Magic Kingdom in a big way. The long-awaited Disney Villains land is finally under construction “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” and the addition of this new area will change the original Central Florida Disney park’s landscape forever.

When Imagineers first teased the concept of a Villains land at D23 Expo, fans were unsure whether the project would ever come to fruition. However, Walt Disney World Resort has officially broken ground on the project, keeping its promise to fans.

In June, Disney began clearing out areas near Frontierland to prepare for the Villains expansion and the transformation of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island into Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Cars (2006). This has included removing large sections of trees to make room for a gravel equipment staging lot and a trailer office complex. While this area won’t be open to guests, it could become a backstage area of the Disney Villains land once construction is complete.

According to Attractions Magazine, Walt Disney World Resort finally began clearing land specifically for the Disney Villains land in August. X (formerly Twitter) user @Bioreconstruct shared this aerial photo of the now-cleared site:

Aerial photo of the newest land clearing, West of Magic Kingdom.

While Walt Disney World Resort has kept many details under wraps, early concept art has revealed some thrilling possibilities for the Villains land. The artwork hints at a Maleficent-themed area and a possible roller coaster for the land.

Disney has not yet announced an official opening date for the Villains land at Magic Kingdom Park. Follow Disney Dining for updates on this and other projects at Disney parks around the world!

Are you more excited about the Disney Villains land or Piston Peak National Park at the Magic Kingdom? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!