The Magic Kingdom’s massive changes, including the transformation of Frontierland and the addition of “Villains Land” beyond Big Thunder Mountain, have cleared another level of governmental and legal approval and are officially a go!
After months of back-and-forth deadlines and extensions, the South Florida Water Management District officially gave Disney the go-ahead for the massive project that will reshape the “Most Magical Place on Earth” for decades to come on February 17th.
The official approval letter reads in part, “This Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) authorizes Construction and Operation of a stormwater management master treatment facility to provide stormwater quality treatment for improvements within the Canal L407/L407A and L405 Basins within the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Construction inside the L407/L407A basins will include pavement upgrades, facility renovations and other minor upgrades. The project is consistent with Conceptual Permit No. 48-00714-P.”
In layman’s terms, Disney has been granted approval to drain the Rivers of America and begin work on not one, but two massive additions to Disney World’s first theme park, both of which were announced at last summer’s D23 Ultimate Fan Event.
The first will see Frontierland transformed, with the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to be closed and replaced by a large new area dedicated to the Cars franchise. According to Disney, the expansion will feature two attractions: One which will invite guests “on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes”, and a second which will be will be geared towards younger riders and “be fun for the whole family.”
The second will see the long-rumored — we’re talking OVER 20 years — addition of a brand new land devoted to Disney’s Villains on previously undeveloped land “beyond” Big Thunder Mountain. According to Disney at the time of the announcement, this “multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping.”
Disney Parks & Resorts Chairperson Josh D’Amaro announced further details on the devious expansion during the D23 Brazil convention in November of 2024. Standing in front of massive images of 13 well-known Disney Villains (The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Jafar from Aladdin, Lady Tremaine from Cinderella, Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Captain Hook from Peter Pan, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, Mother Gothel from Tangled, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Hades from Hercules, Chernabog from Fantasia, The Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty) D’Amaro explained that the land’s narrative would revolve around a “mysterious spell” that had summoned “villains from every realm.”
He went on to add somewhat ominously, ”In this land, heroes don’t come to save the day — and there may not be a happily ever after!”
With these permits in place, Disney can officially move forward with construction on the Cars area in Frontierland and Villains Land, bringing arguably the biggest changes the Magic Kingdom has seen since the park opened over 50 years ago. Stay tuned to AE for more on these evolving projects.
The Ridiculously Detailed History of Disney World’s Frontierland
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Are you excited about Villains Land? Let us know in the comments below!
As these attractions can be accessed with an MK ticket and are not massive upcharge experiences like the Galactic Starcruiser, I have no doubt the new Cars and Villains lands will be hugely successful!
I hope it succeeds more than the Star Wars Hotel project did.