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Villains Land at Magic Kingdom: What We Know So Far

Villains Land is officially coming to Magic Kingdom with a Maleficent coaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride. Here's what's confirmed, and what isn't yet.

By The Diznee Mad team · 30 September 2026 · 3 min read

Walt Disney World

Big news for anyone who’s ever secretly rooted for the baddies: Disney has confirmed the name and the two headline rides for Villains Land, the new area being built at Magic Kingdom beyond Big Thunder Mountain. At D23 in mid-August 2026, Imagineers revealed a Maleficent roller coaster that races through the enchanted briar around her mountaintop fortress, plus a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror, who whisks you from the catacombs beneath the Evil Queen’s palace into his “Mirror Realm” to meet a whole rogues’ gallery of Disney villains. The backstory centres on a Wishing Well in a dark forest that was corrupted by an evil wish, and the look is inspired by Art Nouveau buildings in Paris and Barcelona. Disney says it will be similar in size to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with shops and restaurants alongside the two rides. We’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since 1995, and we genuinely can’t wait to see this corner of the park transformed.

Now the honest bit: Disney has not announced an opening date or even an opening year. Construction is in its early stages. Site preparation for the show buildings was reported in June 2026, while the separate Cars area (being built where the Rivers of America used to be) is further along. You’ll see estimates of 2030 or so floating around online. Those are fan-site guesses based on permits and other projects, not anything Disney has said, so please don’t plan a trip around them just yet. We’ll update this post when there’s something official.

What we know so far

  • Name: Villains Land (confirmed at D23, August 2026)
  • Location: Magic Kingdom, beyond Big Thunder Mountain (announced at D23, August 2024)
  • Ride 1: A Maleficent roller coaster. Disney says it “will include elements they’ve never attempted before on similar attractions”
  • Ride 2: A Magic Mirror dark ride starring many Disney villains
  • Also coming: Shops and restaurants (no names or details yet)
  • Opening date: Not announced

What it means for your trip: if you’re booking for the next few years, Villains Land won’t be open yet. Expect construction walls around Frontierland, and remember that Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Rivers of America have closed for good (they last operated on 6 July 2025). Already booked? Count down the sleeps with our free Walt Disney World countdown.

FAQ

When will Villains Land open?

Disney hasn’t announced an opening date or year yet. Construction is in its early stages, and any year you see online (often 2030) is a fan estimate, not an official date.

What rides are in Villains Land?

Two rides have been confirmed: a Maleficent roller coaster through the briars around her fortress, and a dark ride hosted by the Evil Queen’s Magic Mirror that features lots of Disney villains. Shops and restaurants are planned too.

Did Tom Sawyer Island close for Villains Land?

Not exactly. Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Rivers of America last operated on 6 July 2025. They closed mainly to make room for the new Cars area in Frontierland. Villains Land is a separate project, being built beyond Big Thunder Mountain in the same corner of the park.

Sources

Official (Disney)

Reports

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