It's Time: We're Setting the Record Straight on Villains Land

Disney fans have been waiting for Villains Land for YEARS, as rumors of the land have been circulating since the late 1990s!

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Due to that intense anticipation, misinformation about the land (which was officially announced in 2024) has run a bit rampant. Now, it’s time to debunk some of these rumors as more details about the land have come into focus.

The Land Wasn’t Redesigned with an Emperor’s New Groove Attraction

Earlier in 2026, rumors spread that major changes had been made to the then-yet-to-be-announced master plan of the land. Back in February, Wired reported that then-incoming Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro had instructed Imagineers to rethink the land, including reporting that the long-rumored Maleficent coaster was “being converted to a more family-friendly coaster, along the lines of Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this time themed to The Emperor’s New Groove.”

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That rumor was completely debunked at D23, when Disney not only confirmed that a thrilling coaster based on Maleficent would be the land’s central attraction, but they also showed off a massive model of the coaster, with its scale…

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… twists and turns…

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… and landscaping all on full display.

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The Land WON’T be Connected to the Haunted Mansion

Given the proximity of parts of Villains Land — which is being built “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” in former backstage areas — to the Haunted Mansion, as well as the fact that both areas will share similar “spooky” aesthetics, there was a belief amongst some that the land and Mansion would be connected. However, models of the area don’t show any direct connection.

The Haunted Mansion

In addition, the land’s storyline was revealed at D23, and it’s not related to the Haunted Mansion. According to Disney’s newly released story synopsis for the area, Villains Land will offer an “original take” on the company’s antagonists, set in a “vast, foreboding forest.”  Guests who enter will come across a Wishing Well that’s been torn asunder by a wish so “evil it corrupted the stone and broke open the structure, spreading the Well’s poisoned magic throughout the forest.” This release of poisoned magic will, in turn, draw in “villains who have come here to try and claim the last of the Wishing Well’s power.” An engrossing storyline with tons of potential, but nothing about it seems related to the mansion.

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The Magic Mirror Dark Ride is NOT a Boat Ride

In addition to the coaster, Disney announced a second major attraction for Villains Land: A dark ride featuring a cavalcade of Disney Villains in which the Magic Mirror will  “magically transport (guests) into his mystical Mirror Realm to see things on the other side of the mirror.  There, in his ethereal realm, (guests) will 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.”

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When looking at the above concept art, many jumped to the conclusion that the attraction was a boat ride, given the appearance of the vehicle and the fact that it appeared to be “floating.” However, upon closer inspection, the vehicle actually appears to be similar to those on Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, the screen-based dark ride at Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs.

I’m FLYING!

There’s No Announced Cruella de Vil Ride

During the Villains Land portion of the D23 Horizons panel, Glenn Close made an in-character appearance as Cruella, reprising her role from the 1990s live-action 101 Dalmatians films. During the bit, Close as Cruella joked about “her ride” in Villains Land. That led some viewers to believe that there was a full Cruella-themed ride announced for the land; however, that’s not the case.

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Disney’s Villains Land is finally becoming a reality in the Magic Kingdom, and with each piece of official information released about the land, older rumors are being debunked. Stay tuned to DFB for more on this project!

You’ve Never Seen Disney’s New Villains Land Like THIS

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