New Villains Land Plans Show Larger Dark Ride Building at Magic Kingdom

10 days ago in "Villains Land"

Posted: Friday February 27, 2026 2:10pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed updated wastewater management plans for the Magic Kingdom expansion project, and the revised documents show a notable change: the largest building in Villains Land has grown larger than it appeared in plans filed just weeks ago.

The change comes a day after TheWrap reported that Disney has directed Imagineers to develop a bigger, more ambitious version of Villains Land, with the Maleficent dark ride now intended to rival attractions like Rise of the Resistance in scale and complexity.

Building Size Increases

The largest structure in the Villains Land area - believed to be the major dark ride attraction - now appears larger in the updated plans filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for "Project SNK."

In the original wastewater plans filed in late January, WDWMAGIC measured this building at approximately 70,000 square feet. The updated plans show the structure has increased in size, supporting reports that the attraction's scope has expanded.

It should be noted that wastewater plans are not precise representations of building sizes, so there could be some margin of error in these measurements. However, the fact that the same type of plan now shows an increase in size is notable.

For context, Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios has a building footprint of 92,000 square feet, while Rock 'n' Roller Coaster measures 71,000 square feet.

The larger building sits in the upper right corner of the Villains Land area in the plans. A second Villains building remains at around 48,000 square feet.

Connection to TheWrap Report

The building size increase aligns with reporting from TheWrap's Drew Taylor, who published detailed information yesterday on the revised creative direction for Villains Land.

Taylor reported that the anchor Maleficent attraction is now being designed as an indoor water-based ride with scale and complexity intended to rival must-do attractions like Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance. The ride is being positioned as the land's Lightning Lane Single Pass anchor - the premium paid option that can cost up to $35 per person.

If Taylor's reporting is accurate, a larger show building would be necessary to support that level of ambition.

What the Plans Show

The wastewater document outlines several facility structures connected by a network of utility lines across both the Cars and Villains Land expansion areas.

The plans show green utility lines marked as "12'S" connecting various points of connection throughout both expansion areas. These utility runs connect to existing Magic Kingdom infrastructure.

The Villains Land expansion occupies the northern section of the project area. The plans show at least four separate facility structures in the Villains zone, suggesting multiple buildings or attraction structures.

The Cars Land structure measures roughly 40,000 square feet in the updated plans.

What's Being Built

Disney announced Villains Land at D23 in August 2024, describing it as a new themed area dedicated to Disney villains built on an "incredibly twisted grand scale." The company said the land would include two major attractions, dining, and shopping.

Disney has not released any new information on the project since that initial announcement, and has not confirmed details reported by TheWrap or other sources.

According to Taylor's reporting, the revised plans include an Emperor's New Groove-themed coaster, a Maleficent dark ride, a Hades-hosted dinner show, and potentially a third attraction featuring Ursula.

Site clearing for both the Cars and Villains Land expansions is underway behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

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Disstevefan116 hours ago

This is what makes discussion boards GREAT!

Dreamer1917 hours ago

Completely opinion and completely subjective.

donaldtoo18 hours ago

@Dreamer19 ’s post is an opinion, therefore subjective, but I tend to agree with them.

Disstevefan120 hours ago

Wait - talking cars are not real?? :cry:

Coaster Lover21 hours ago

Here's the current scorecard... Rivers of America Rivers of Lights Liberty Belle Riverboat River Country Navi River Journey Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Kali River Rapids (yes, I realize I'm probably missing a bunch)

Kamikaze21 hours ago

Pretty sure cars don't exist naturally either.

Disstevefan121 hours ago

But sometimes change does not result in progress. Sometimes change results in failure - See the DLR people mover, EPCOT Future World, Imagination pavilion etc. Lets hope for the best here.

Bocabear22 hours ago

The NFL waterways and waterfalls are nicely done... Looking forward to seeing the continued progress....

TrainsOfDisney22 hours ago

“New Fantasyland” is what the expectations should be.

Bocabear22 hours ago

thank you....I see it now.

Movielover22 hours ago

James Alucobond22 hours ago

It will be faced with rockwork. The ultimate effect will be of a stream with some waterfalls akin to the area surrounding Grizzly Peak.

Nickm202222 hours ago

I could see them building the river/area up against the wooden walk path, as a way to push construction walls back

donaldtoo23 hours ago

I’m assuming said retaining wall will be thoroughly and properly disguised/hidden in such a way as to make whatever finished product water feature it is appear natural, similar to RoA. Last time I checked, there are no reinforced concrete retaining walls that occur naturally…in nature. ;)

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