We have seen a lot of changes happen in Disney World over the past few years, such as new rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run and the transformation of EPCOT. There have been rumors swirling of a new Disney World theme park for YEARS, and it would be unlike anything Disney has done before.

It was recently announced that Disney would be investing $60 billion in the parks and other areas of the company like Disney Cruise Line. And one of the “Blue Sky” projects Disney has been discussing over the past year and a half sounds a lot like these rumors we never expected to actually happen!

For at least the past 7-8 years, the Internet starts buzzing about the idea that Disney World had plans to build a Disney Villains-themed park, tentatively named Dark Kingdom, every so often. The discussions often turn to ideas like the park’s icon being Maleficent’s Castle, and attractions based on Ursula, Jafar, Gaston, and the Evil Queen.

But here’s the thing — no one has ever confirmed that Disney was ever planning this park. In fact, it’s pretty likely they weren’t. As Disney Historian Jim Hill told Thrillist in 2017, “The idea of the Dark Kingdom seems to have basically come from the internet, with no basis on anything concrete.”

So, why are these rumors circulating again? Well, as we mentioned earlier, Disney has made some big announcements in the past few months about investing billions and billions of dollars in capital projects over the next decade. And, they have some big competition coming in Orlando — Universal is opening a brand new theme park, Epic Universe, in 2025.

So naturally, some people are wondering if Disney World will build another theme park. They’ve got the land, they’ve committed to spending a WHOLE LOT of money, and some experts think they will announce that “fifth gate” any time now. 

So if they did, would it be Dark Kingdom? Probably not. But if that statement disappoints you, all is not lost. Disney HAS been talking about its Villains quite a bit lately — but as an expansion of Magic Kingdom, not a separate theme park.

At the D23 Expo in 2022, Disney shared some Blue Sky Projects. These projects are ideas that MIGHT be implemented in the park in the future. Specifically, ideas of an expansion focused on what lies beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were discussed.

Disney teased a few ideas of what could go beyond Big Thunder, like a Coco or an Encanto-themed land, but the idea that got many Disney fans talking was a possible VILLAINS-THEMED LAND!

Magic Kingdom is known for fantasy and magic, and while we sometimes catch villains out and about, there has never been a specific area or land dedicated to villains. This is something many Disney fans have been asking for and the announcement of the possibility of a villain’s land has some people excited.

While Disney released some of the Blue Sky artwork, there is no confirmation that this land will happen. As of right now, they are just ideas. The good news is that Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Bryce Vaughn, shared that the expansion plans for Magic Kingdom are “the largest ever”, which gives us hope that maybe one or all of these Blue Sky ideas could be added.

In the past, Magic Kingdom has hosted a Villains Night After Hours event. This event is similar to after-hours events that are currently being hosted in Magic Kingdom. The event had limited capacity to allow guests to have shorter wait times to experience popular attractions. Guests also had popcorn, bottled drinks, and ice cream novelties included in the price of the After Hours ticket. The difference between this and normal After Hours events was the villain-themed entertainment. So far no dates have been announced for the return of “Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park.”

There is one place in Disney World that the villains have taken over, but not everyone has access to it. On the top floor of Disney’s Bay Lake Tower, there is a lounge called Top of the World. In 2020, when the parks shut down, the villains needed a place to stay and they took over the lounge and made it their own. When the lounge re-opened in 2022, the Villains had to vacate but they left behind certain villainous decor as well as their own spin on a new menu. The lounge was renamed to Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair. To enjoy this lounge, guests must be Disney Vacation Club Members.

Between After Hours events that have not returned and a Villain-themed lounge only for Disney Vacation Club Members, the villains do not have their own space in the parks. As mentioned before, Blue Sky projects are just ideas that might happen, and Disney has yet to confirm if the villains will get their own land beyond Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom. As soon as we find out more we will be sure to update you!

Click Here to See What Disney Experts Think Should be Included in a Villainous Themed Land!

What are you hoping lies beyond Big Thunder Mountain? Let us know down below!

The post There Are SO MANY RUMORS About This Disney World Theme Park, And It Doesn’t Even Exist…YET first appeared on the disney food blog.