Possible Attraction Lineup Revealed for Upcoming Villainsland in the Magic Kingdom

Possible Attraction Lineup Revealed for Upcoming Villains Land

The Magic Kingdom’s proposed land dedicated to iconic Disney villains is getting a fresh rethink after the success of Universal’s Epic Universe. A detailed report from TheWrap’s Drew Taylor has offered new insight into the creative direction of the project, following earlier reports that the original plans had been scrapped in favor of “bolder, bigger ideas.”

While Disney has not released new information since the initial D23 announcement in August 2024, Taylor’s sources suggest that Imagineers were notified before the new year of a major pivot in strategy.

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A New Creative North Star: The “Berk” Benchmark

According to Taylor, the creative benchmark for Villains Land has shifted significantly. Originally, the land was reportedly modeled after the darker vibes of Dark Universe (Universal’s Monsters-themed area). However, the new target is the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon.

The shift isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about business. The Isle of Berk won a 2026 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement and has been praised for being expansive, immersive, and crucially, family-friendly. Disney is looking to replicate the high per-capita spending seen at Epic Universe by creating a land that encourages longer stays and appeals to all ages.

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The Rumored Attraction Lineup

The most exciting revelations in the report involve the specific rides and experiences planned for the land.

1. The “Emperor’s New Groove” Coaster

The original concept of a massive Maleficent-themed coaster has reportedly been shelved. In its place, Disney is planning a family-friendly coaster themed to The Emperor’s New Groove.

• The Vibe: Similar to Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios.
• The Highlight: A “pull the lever” moment inspired by the movie, where Kronk sends riders on a wild, unexpected detour through Yzma’s secret lab.
• The Strategy: A lower height requirement increases capacity and ensures the ride is accessible to more guests.

2. The Maleficent Mega-Ride

The land’s “anchor” attraction is expected to be an indoor water-based dark ride themed to Maleficent.

• The Tech: Rumored to use a ride system similar to Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure in Shanghai Disneyland.
• The Scope: Disney is aiming for the scale of Rise of the Resistance or Radiator Springs Racers.
• The Reasoning: By making this an indoor “E-Ticket” attraction, Disney can protect it from Florida’s weather, ensuring it remains a reliable candidate for Lightning Lane Single Pass pricing ($11–$35 surcharges).

3. Ursula’s Spinner

A third, unannounced attraction is reportedly in the works: a carnival-style flat ride, likely a spinner themed to Ursula from The Little Mermaid. This would add much-needed capacity to the land and provide a “kinetic” energy to the environment.

Dining and Entertainment: Dinner with Hades

The report suggests that a previously planned restaurant themed to Madam Medusa has been replaced. Instead, Hades will reportedly oversee a dinner show similar to the Diamond Horseshoe Revue, featuring Pain, Panic, and a rotating cast of other villains.

Timeline and The “D’Amaro Factor”

The redesign is expected to push the project’s timeline back by about a year. With several construction projects currently active across Walt Disney World, Villains Land is now estimated to open no earlier than 2029.

The stakes for this project couldn’t be higher. With Disney’s parks division accounting for 71% of the company’s operating profit, and Josh D’Amaro positioned as the next Disney CEO, Villains Land is being viewed as his “legacy” project.

What’s Next: Updated plans are expected to be presented to the Disney board in the coming weeks, with a potential grand reveal of the revamped land at D23 in Anaheim later this year.