Disney World is building a villain-themed land

Top celebrities often take the stage to promote upcoming projects, and Disney executives typically use the platform to reveal major announcements to excited fans.

This weekend was no different.

“Disney Experiences is embarking on an accelerated path of ambitious growth and innovation,” he said in a press release. “With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future.”

D’Amaro discussed a large-scale expansion at Walt Disney World in Central Florida. Magic Kingdom will become the home of Villains Land, where guests will spend time with Disney’s most notorious villains.

The villain-centric pitch is a win for Disney fans who have rallied behind the idea on Reddit and other forums for years.

Two attractions based on the “Cars” franchise will also be coming to the Magic Kingdom: an off-road rally race and a family ride.

“As we develop the next generation of Disney Experiences, we’re always looking for new ways to tell the stories people love,” said D’Amaro. “We are thrilled Cars fans to build on this incredibly successful franchise and create the next chapter in this story.”

Magic Kingdom isn’t the only Florida park undergoing renovations.

The company is building a new land in Animal Kingdom called Tropical Americas, which includes a village in a rainforest called Pueblo Esperanza. Guests will be able to adventure with Indiana Jones in a Mayan temple.

A new attraction “Encanto” also joins the list. This will be the first attraction to be held for “Encanto” and will be held on the Casita premises.

Tropical Americas opens in 2027.

At Hollywood Studios, Pixar fans can explore a new land based on Monsters, Inc. Guests can visit the Laugh Factory, in addition to an undisclosed attraction that will become the first suspended coaster at a Disney park.

Disney’s money maker

Disney theme parks make big money. But the company’s announcement of its expansions came four days after executives admitted that theme parks had stumbled in the third quarter.

Experiences revenue was up 2% year-over-year, but operating income was down 3%. Disney’s most recent earnings report blamed inflation, among other factors.

“We talked about the fact that the lower-income consumer is feeling a little stressed. The higher-income consumer is traveling a little more overseas,” Disney CFO Hugh Johnston. he said during a Q&A webcast this month. “I think you’re going to see more of a continuation of those trends on the top line.”

Disney expansion

It also comes after the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved a $17 billion development deal for Disney that could transform its Central Florida properties.

The development deal is the product of a contentious legal battle between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose administration took control of the local tourism district from Disney last February. Disney previously self-managed any development in the area with little government oversight through its own board.

The legal battle began in 2022 and ended in March when both sides agreed to a settlement.

When the development deal was approved, Disney didn’t reveal how it would use the billions of dollars, but the new D23 announcements could be a sign of things to come.

Walt Disney World representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Disney beyond Florida

D’Amaro also shared details about how other Disney theme parks will expand.

At Disneyland in California, Marvel will get considerably bigger. The Avengers Campus will double its current size to accommodate new attractions. And after the success of James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” D’Amaro said an attraction inspired by the franchise is coming to Disney California Adventure.

While Disney is investing heavily in its domestic theme parks, it also plans to expand Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland.

The company will also strengthen its cruise operations by adding four new ships to its fleet from 2027 to 2031.