NEWS: Disney Announces New Details for Villains-Themed Land Coming to Magic Kingdom

Since Disney announced a new Villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom last August, fans have been eager to hear updates. At Destination D23, Disney shared what’s inspiring the design of the upcoming land. Learn more below!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Wyatt Winter:

This weekend at Destination D23, fellow Imagineer Caroline and I got a chance to share some insights on the hard work happening on the new villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom park. The land was first announced by Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, last year at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where it was revealed that the space would include two major attractions, dining, and shopping – all with a touch of dark, devious flair. Here’s what you might have missed:

New Details About the Villains-Themed Land at Magic Kingdom 

During a video message in the panel, Disney Legend and former animator Andreas Deja, who is best known for helping to bring some of the most evil Disney Villains to life onscreen, such as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Jafar in Aladdin, and Scar in The Lion King, announced that he was officially consulting on the project.

Deja shared that these characters are the best source materials for Imagineers to utilize and reference when conceptualizing the land, with big personalities, bold visuals, and rich backgrounds to influence the overall ambiance and the experience that guests will have while visiting.

What Inspired the Villains-Themed Land? 

We were happy to confirm that our journey to developing the land began with the animation source material and the Walt Disney Animation Studios artists responsible for it. These conversations made us realize that it was critical to reflect the look and feel of the characters’ animation in the land’s physical structures and appearance, so we set off to Paris, France and Barcelona, Spain to learn about each city’s architecture and its unique attributes.

The research trip was truly transformative and completely immersive. Our team specifically studied Art Nouveau architecture design and the unique form, scale, and color that define this style, which flourished in the late 1800s. Through partnerships with local professors, along with art and architectural historians, Imagineers received an intimate look at the architectural aesthetics that will serve as the overall design inspiration for the land.

The Influence of Art Nouveau Architecture on the Villains-Themed Land 

Paris is a city full of classic Art Nouveau examples – the team highlighted the way natural motifs and swirling designs there make nature appear to be “cursed” like magic has frozen it into place. On the other hand, Barcelona’s art style is Modernisme, which has less natural patterns but gives the architecture an otherworldly, unnerving appearance.

Another fascinating discovery that they made in both places was how many of the architectural elements had a wonderful color palette, full of rich tones. Seeing details like colorful stained-glass windows and painted metals helped us understand how we might bring the beautiful, deep jewel tones of the animated villains to life in the land’s buildings.

After identifying the similarities between the magical, fluid, and organic appearance of both the animated villains and the Art Nouveau style of construction, the team coined the term “Conjured Architecture.” This refers to the blend of historical components and fantastical worlds that have merged to ultimately create something wicked that will be able to be experienced firsthand – a villains-inspired land.

Disney Villains remain some of the most iconic and beloved characters thanks to their memorable musical moments, extravagant attire, complex stories, and striking visuals. I cannot wait to share more about how these villains are brought to life in this new land

RELATED ARTICLE: New Villains Land Coming to Magic Kingdom

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

At the end of the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event [in August 2024], Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro saved the best for last and put rumors to rest. Magic Kingdom is getting a new villain-themed land! Learn more below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Michael Hundgen:

Once upon a nightmare… A place where poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day. For all those things hiding in the shadows, it’s time to join them as we lift the veil on a forthcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort.

As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, this new land will be home to the Disney Villains we know and loathe from our favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios classic films — “Which means happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream.”

The evil ambition of all these Villains means that the possibilities are endless for the stories that can be told — and visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way.

The new land will encompass all your dreams- er, nightmares. The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” Josh teased. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”

You might have just felt a shiver run down your spine. That’s because preparation is already underway at Magic Kingdom for this new land. Maybe think twice before you indulge in that next shiny red apple…