Magic  Mirror on the wall, which land is the most menacing and magnificent of them all?

This question was answered today during the Disney Experiences showcase, Horizons: A Carousel of Progress. Taking the stage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, fans were treated to so many spine-tingling surprises – including some eagerly awaited updates about the Villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.

Towards the end of the show, the Magic Mirror materialized onstage with a mysterious message, before introducing Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum. Audience members began to whisper excitedly, as the sight of that familiar face in the glass could only mean one thing – Villains.

President & Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn and Executive Creative Director Caroline May from Walt Disney Imagineering then took to the stage, acknowledging that the villains expansion at Magic Kingdom is one of the most highly anticipated projects they have ever been a part of. The duo dove right into their presentation, which was packed with thrilling twists and turns, and we’ve compiled everything you need to know about this sinister new land.

Bruce and Caroline confirmed today that the name for this new area will officially be Villains Land. Knowing that many of the other areas in Magic Kingdom have “land” in the name (think Fantasyland or Tomorrowland), they wanted this section to feel right at home with the rest of the park.

Even though the vibe couldn’t be more different, with Villains Land bringing a devious and dark “magic” to the Magic Kingdom, it still manages to be cohesive with the storytelling of the broader park.

It was also revealed that while the fiends you’ll find here may feel familiar since Imagineers are referencing classic characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios as inspiration, the overarching story is a brand new, original take on those iconic villains. The Magic Kingdom invites you into a fairytale and Villains Land is no exception…

In many fairytales, the real journey begins when you stray from the safe path and instead turn towards the vast, foreboding forest. If you dare enter the forest of Villains Land, you may soon come across a Wishing Well that’s been torn asunder.  Under most circumstances, a Wishing Well would indicate pure and good energy at work, but something dark happened to this one.  Once upon a time, someone made an evil wish here – a wish so evil it corrupted the stone and broke open the structure, spreading the Well’s poisoned magic throughout the forest.

But of course, this sinister setting is tempting for those with wicked intentions, so, one by one, the villains have come here to try and claim the last of the Wishing Well’s power. Villains Land will be shaped by those who have used this dark magic to conjure the perfect new lairs for themselves. These mighty fortresses and gleaming palaces not only reflect the personality of the villains who own them, they invite guests into a tantalizing treasure trove of treats, trinkets, and more temptations. The size and scale were compared to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so there will be no shortage of space to explore and enjoy a bit of mischievous fun.

At D23 2024, it was revealed Villains Land would have two major attractions, in addition to shops and restaurants.  Today, Bruce and Caroline shared more of the storytelling behind each attraction.

The first is an exhilarating coaster experience, where you will come face-to-face with the Mistress of All Evil herself, Maleficent. You’ll race through enchanted briar surrounding her frightening mountaintop fortress – if you’re feeling brave enough to answer her invitation.

The Imagineering team teased that this coaster will include elements they’ve never attempted before on similar attractions, so it is set to be a truly groundbreaking project.

There’s a second headlining attraction of Villains Land: a dark ride, featuring a whole array of your favorite Disney Villains – hosted by the Magic Mirror.

You’ll find the Magic Mirror where the Evil Queen keeps him in the catacombs beneath her pristine palace. After making your way to him, he’ll magically transport you into his mystical Mirror Realm to see things on the other side of the mirror.  There, in his ethereal realm, you’ll be transfixed by countless Disney Villains conjured in ways only the Magic Mirror can do. A combination of special effects and physical set pieces will bring his Mirror Realm – and these iconic Villains – to life.

“Villains Land is such an exciting addition to the Magic Kingdom, because it allows us to expand the park’s storytelling in a way that feels both fresh and true to its legacy and fairytale roots,” Caroline told Disney Parks Blog. “We have an incredibly talented and passionate team working behind the scenes every day to make sure this land captures the power, magic, and mischievous (and sometimes humorous) spirit of the Disney Villains, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see that fans are just as excited as we are for what’s ahead.”

It feels like yesterday that fans first learned about the plans being conjured up for a Disney Villains-themed land during D23 2024, where the very first rendering was revealed alongside sinister sneak peeks into the attractions, dining, and shopping that would define the setting.

“It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be,” former Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro teased at the time as preparation and planning were already underway. Today’s updates have confirmed that Imagineers are working to create a spellbinding spectacle that truly pushes the boundaries of creativity and innovation, while taking inspiration from some of the most compelling characters.

After D23 2024, as excitement continued to build and fans eagerly awaited more updates about Villains Land (even igniting plenty of rumors and theories about what is to come, which Caroline and Bruce acknowledged during today’s announcement with a laugh), the next news came from Destination D23 in 2025.

During a dedicated Disney Villains panel, the Walt Disney Imagineering team acknowledged that their journey to developing the land started with the animation source material. Besides diving deep into the films themselves, the team shared that they also had inspiring conversations about the artistry of Disney Villains. By grounding Villains Land in the look and feel ofthese classic animated characters, the experience becomes even more immersive, entertaining, and filled with that dramatic flair guests know and love.

Besides sharing this character-driven philosophy, the Walt Disney Imagineering team also detailed how they hope to bring the feel of “magic” to this dark new corner of Magic Kingdom. The Imagineers showcased striking snapshots from research trips that the team had embarked on as they were mapping out their vision. During visits to Paris, France, and Barcelona, Spain, Imagineers became entranced by architecture styles including Art Nouveau and Modernisme, taking note of attributes like rich color palettes, swirling natural patterns, and ominous proportions that all contribute to the feeling that these places were created by magic. It was here that they coined the term “Conjured Architecture,” which has served as a guiding light for the style and aesthetic of the villainous landscape of Villains Land.

We’ll continue to reveal more nefarious news about the development of Villains Land at Walt Disney World right here on Disney Parks Blog, and keep following along for more updates from D23 2026.