Disney World has brand new attractions coming to Magic Kingdom including a whole new land! What’s beyond Big Thunder at Magic Kingdom? This is a question Disney has been asking and answering for years. We’re covering the most recent answer as of the 2024 D23 fan event in Anaheim, California. Disney’s plans have changed quite a bit and we’re talking about that below as well. Many shiny possibilities are part of the Disney Experiences Showcase presentation lead by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. However, all of these plans are “in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving.” Here’s what we know.
Beyond Big Thunder Plans: Villains at Magic Kingdom
Disney shares specific details about what is known as the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom. They are moving forward with an entire land dedicated to Disney Villains. This could include a range of the baddies we know and love to hate. Maleficent? The Evil Queen? Captain Hook? The Villains at Magic Kingdom will have a land on a “grand scale” meaning it will be and feel big.
What will the Villains land at Magic Kingdom have?
Here’s what we know is coming to the Magic Kingdom Villains land based on what Disney has said:
- two major attractions
- dining
- shopping
Here are some details in the concept art from Disney:
- Upon first glance, the Villains land seems to be Maleficent heavy in a few ways. There is a forest of thorns like we see Maleficent make in Sleeping Beauty. A black bird caws on these thorny branches in the front of the scene. The Maleficent dragon is off in the distance breathing green flames. Green glows around the land in different areas.
- If you look closely front and center, there appears to be a rollercoaster track and ride vehicle whizzing by in what looks like some sort of mysterious cavern with waterfalls.
- There are a few different castle style structures. Some are up high and look decorative and far off in the distance. One looks like people could enter it.
When is the Villains at Magic Kingdom land opening?
There is no set opening date for the Magic Kingdom Villains land. Based on what has been shared, this is some of what we can anticipate for the timeline. At the time of announcement, this is in the planning phase. Many of the projects just announced won’t be opening for many years. All will be started within the next few years. The tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom is opening in 2027 and that looks to be further along than this. The Disney Parks Blog says “construction begins soon,” for the Villains land. The Magic Kingdom Villains land could realistically make a 2028 or 2029 debut depending on just how big the scale is. We’ll have to wait for updates to be sure.
Cars at Magic Kingdom
Josh D’Amaro also announced a Cars addition is coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. This includes two new attractions. The Magic Kingdom Cars expansion is not Radiator Springs but brings us to other destinations in the world of Cars. While this isn’t technically beyond Thunder Mountain, this seems to have replaced other ideas that were and taken their place as the next park additions.
When does Cars open at Magic Kingdom?
No opening date has been announced for the Cars rides at Magic Kingdom. Construction begins in 2025.
Some Context About What’s Beyond Big Thunder and How It Has Changed
We first got word of this kind of expansion at the D23 Expo in 2022. This event happens every other year in Anaheim, California next to Disneyland. At that time, Josh D’Amaro shared blue sky style thoughts about what could be coming to Disney Parks with little to no commitment.
Back then the project featured these ideas:
- An Encanto house
- Something from Coco
- A Disney Villains area
After this original announcement, another Encanto house showed up in a rendering for an Animal Kingdom expansion. Both would not exist and now we know the place to find Encanto at Disney World in the future is Animal Kingdom.
Want to know more about the Encanto addition at Animal Kingdom?
Here is everything we know about the Disney tropical Americas expansion.
Coco is a popular Disney film with beloved music and a story with heart. As Disney moves to build a portfolio that looks like the world does, Miguel and his family could be a perfect fit. Unfortunately, these Coco plans seem to have been cancelled. No Coco additions were shared for Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in the most recent D23 announcements.
How a Magic Kingdom Villains Land Changes the Park
The Disney Villains announcements were met with lots of excitement both times. This is a different concept from what we’ve seen before with lands in Disney Parks. Typically villains and other characters appear in representations of their stories in rides and shows. We see Disney Princesses appear together at character meals like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus. There isn’t a standing Villain experience of this kind though there have been Villains themed special events over the years.
Disney has been transparent about how they’re choosing what’s next to join Disney Parks. Including popular intellectual property in attractions and new offerings is a priority.
Something that hasn’t been considered enough is how this could change the historic concept for Walt Disney’s theme parks. Magic Kingdom has Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland and Adventureland. So how does what is beyond Big Thunder fit in? We saw Disneyland break from their concept with the addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It looks like the Villains at Magic Kingdom will soon be another land in the park and the first of its kind.
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