Disney Villains Land Update May Be Coming at Destination D23 Panel on August 31

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Wednesday August 13, 2025 7:15am ET · "Villains Land"
Disney Villains Land Update May Be Coming at Destination D23 Panel on August 31

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Magic Kingdom Villains Land Concept Art

More news on the upcoming Disney Villains Land at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom may be just around the corner at Destination D23 later this month.

As part of the event's schedule for Sunday, August 31 2025, Disney has announced a Disney Villains panel:

9:05 - 9:50 AM | Disney Villains: Icons of Evil
Join Disney Experiences (and some of your favorite troublemakers) for a panel discussion on how Disney Villains experiences come to life around the world. Hear directly from the creative minds behind new projects and attractions, plus enjoy a special Villains-themed medley to kick off Destination D23 day 2.

While the description stops short of confirming direct updates on the Villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom, the mention of "new projects and attractions" suggests that additional insight may be shared during the session.



Villains Land details have been scarce so far, with only a single piece of concept art released, which appears to show a roller coaster tucked into the corner of the artwork. According to Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro at the last D23 Expo, the artwork shown is not part of a "blue sky" pitch but represents real projects in development.

As previously announced, Disney's new Villains area will include:

  • Two major attractions - one expected to be a coaster
  • Dining
  • Shopping
  • All themed on what Disney said is an "incredibly twisted grand scale"

A Legend Joins the Project: Andreas Deja

Disney Legend Andreas Deja recently confirmed he is working on Villains Land. Deja was celebrated during a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, highlighting his legacy as the animator behind iconic villains such as Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), Jafar (Aladdin), and Scar (The Lion King).

In a follow-up Q&A session with LaughingPlace.com, Deja revealed that he is directly involved with the team bringing Villains Land to life. While he couldn't share specific details, he did say it's an idea "whose time has come."

Deja's involvement suggests a creative focus on staying true to the visual and emotional legacy of Disney's most famous villains, and we may get a first look at how that's taking shape during the Destination D23 panel.

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↩ replying to AidenRodriguez731
Disney is the king in recent times for not great theming
↩ replying to FutureCEO
I would have thought the company who lets you see straight backstage in the first 3 seconds of a headliner coaster in a Viking village would be the kings of not great theming. They point you straight at an unthemed fence right off the station or unthemed curtains and walls in another
could we get back to topic
I don’t know about anyone else but I’m equal parts excited and anxious about the Villain’s panel tomorrow and what information comes out of it.
The architectural styles showcased read Gaston, Jafar, and Ursula to me. I’m sure others will pick up more but those jump out to me. Glad they seem to be going dark.
Maybe I have my expectations too high, but that’s it? They couldn’t show anymore?
↩ replying to Surferboy567
They’re actively releasing more.
↩ replying to Surferboy567
Trying to follow as someone who’s not there… is the panel over or no?
↩ replying to DisneyHead123
No, someone is streaming it
We are on products now…they better have something big at the end.
Someone literally said “That’s It!?” On the stream. Biggest disappointment for me was my most hyped panel.
Wyatt (the Imagineer) worked on Guardians at EPCOT. So assuming he’s working on the coaster project here as well? Not sure what else to glean from that assumption…