by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:20 AM ET, Tue September 19, 2023
The recent Destination D23 event announced that Magic Kingdom will be undergoing one of its biggest expansions ever in the near future, on a scale similar to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora — The World of Avatar.
But what’s going to be the next big addition to Magic Kingdom?
We asked several travel advisors who love Disney and routinely book Disneyland and Walt Disney World vacations what they thought the next Disney World Magic Kingdom expansion would be.
They all hope the next expansion will be truly infamous: a villains-themed park!
Katie Lynn Reynolds, Travel Agent at Travelmation, said, “I think they will focus efforts on villains as the success of Mickey's Not So Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash has brought them to light heavily. Creating a land focused on villains such as Ursula, Jafar, Cruella, Gaston, etc. There has been speculation of this, but I think Disney sees the pent up demand from the boom and sell out of other events. It would create even more excitement for the spooky season!”
“Magic Kingdom celebrates all that is fantasy, but there is a very empty void for the villainous side of their movies & entertainment around the entire Disney World area,” said Ryan Doncsesz, Groups Manager, VIP Vacations. “A villain-themed area could allow Disney to build an exciting family style rollercoaster and dark ride, maybe a small step up in thrill level when compared to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.”
“There could also be tons of meet and greet opportunities from Maleficent to less known baddies like Chernabog (Fantasia) to the Horned King (Black Cauldron). A project of this nature could allow for a lot of creativity and original ideas. Either way, I’m excited for what Disney is planning and hope that we see shovels hitting the ground for construction very soon.”
Allison Hall-Smith at Pickles Travel Network echoes their excitement for something villainous: “It is always a little hard to predict what Disney will do. However, I am hoping the rumors about a villains land are true! I think this would be such a fun addition to the Magic Kingdom. There are so many great classic villains as well as newer examples that are all fan favorites.”
“I think drawing on some of the classic villains will help the addition feel authentic to what already exists in the Magic Kingdom,” she continued. “I also like that the rumored area that this will be housed in, is at the back of the park. If any smaller guests are unsure of the scare factor then they could avoid this area. A villains land already comes with a fanbase so I predict Disney will capitalize on this and I am hoping they take it a step further by including a second extension such as the rumored Coco or Encanto land. Walt Disney World is in need of more attractions to stay competitive with Universal's expansions and to help take pressure off the building wait times.”
Heather Grodin, CTA - ACC Travel Planner Affiliated with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel, agrees with the others, but also wonders about a World of Frozen land, similar to the one Hong Kong Disneyland is set to open on November 20 this year.
“I think the most asked-about thing is 100 percent a villains land — or even a separate villains theme park,” said Grodin. “My clients have been speculating on one for years, so I know it would make a lot of people very happy! But I have to wonder if they are going to put in a World of Frozen land like they are at Hong Kong Disneyland. That seems likely because they'd already have worked out plans, ideas and attractions and will be able to see them in action in Hong Kong before they bring it stateside.”
The experts have weighed in with their predictions; the only thing any of us can do is wait for the official announcement of the new expansion’s theme. No matter what, though, one thing is certain: it’s eagerly anticipated.
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