Disney Imagineer Talks New Villains-Themed Land At Disney World

At D23 in September, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D'Amaro shared concept art for a potential villains-themed land, which Imagineers want to bring to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Now that a few months have passed after revealing the potential plans, fans have been able to take in the news and are ecstatic that a villains-themed land may be coming to Magic Kingdom.

After listening to its fan base, Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty confirmed they still have with the new land top of mind as it is obviously something the fans want.

In a new interview to promote the upcoming TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction, which will open next month at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty touched on some other projects in the works, including a new villains-themed land -- something fans have been asking for for years.

"We're dreaming every day about what could be next at Walt Disney World. We just wanted to give you a peek at some of the amazing things that could be coming. It's changing every day. It's exciting," he told EW. "I think Josh [D'Amaro] was really trying to get across that spirit of creativity, of what could be next, of innovation, of the possibility of what could be is still alive and well at Disney and Imagineering," he continued to say, referring to of the D23 presentation that occurred in September.

The presentation was not intended to share plans that are concrete, but rather give his team an opportunity to show fans that they are "dreaming about what could be" coming to the Parks.

"[The villains concept] got pretty good applause," he recalled when his team put the concept art on the screen at the D23 presentation. "We took note of how loud the applause was when we announced that," the Imagineer continued, hinting at the fact that the villains-themed land may actually come to life.

Although Disney Imagineers did not confirm what would be included in a new villlains land expansion, they did mention the possibility of having it reside in Magic Kingdom behind the Big Thunder Mountain attraction, calling the entire concept the "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" project.

Disney World is getting ready to open up its newest rollercoaster at Magic Kingdom -- TRON Lightcycle / Run -- which is currently in its preview stages, allowing Disney World Annual Passholders to test out the ride ahead of its official opening on April 4.

Over at EPCOT, Imagineers are working on putting the final touches on Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana which will open in late 2023. The company has referred to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana as a “lush exploration trail” which will allow Guests to “play with magical, living water.”

In addition, Disney World announced new character meet and greets coming to the Parks, including Moana, Mirabel from "Encanto", and Figment, from EPCOT's iconic attraction, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, all debuting sometime this year.