Walt Disney World Announces Villains Lineup for Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land, With One Noticeable Exception

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The lineup of well-known villains who will reside in the forthcoming Villains Land extension at Magic Kingdom, has been disclosed by Walt Disney World.

Introduced at D23 Expo in 2024 and elaborated upon in early 2025, this upcoming themed area is billed as a “warped” universe where visitors can delve into the darker tales within Disney’s storytelling. Despite the anticipation, both fans and critics have identified one significant absence: Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog.

The vacancy has sparked conjecture regarding Disney’s attempts to disassociate from aspects linked to voodoo, reflecting transformations observed in the latest Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, as suggested by these changes.

The Villains Land Announcement

In Disney World, the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion plans include the opening of Villains Land, expected after 2027. This part of Magic Kingdom will be reimagined as a mysterious realm, taking inspiration from some of Disney’s most infamous villains.

As per the official concept art and announcements on Disney Parks Blog, this new land will be centered around two main attractions, food venues, and shopping experiences that emphasize the “nightmarish” aspect rather than the traditional happily ever after stories. This expansion is anticipated to pull inspiration from a vast range of Disney films, resulting in an immersive world where villains rule supreme.

Disney has just revealed a carefully compiled collection of 13 villainous characters that have influenced the layout and aesthetic of their theme parks. Hailing from both timeless classics and contemporary animated tales, these antagonists are as follows:

[List of characters]

  • Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
  • Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians)
  • Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
  • Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
  • Jafar (Aladdin)
  • Hades (Hercules)
  • Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
  • Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove)
  • Lady Tremaine (Cinderella)
  • Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
  • The Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  • Mother Gothel (Tangled)
  • Chernabog (Fantasia)

The lineup of characters was showcased prominently in promotional content, with Disney underlining that these figures represent trickery, enchantment, and chaos.

The artwork for this territory portrays a menacing setting featuring distorted structures, haunting illumination, and engaging features enabling visitors to become part of the villains’ plots.

The ongoing construction developments signal that things are moving forward, starting in early 2025 near Frontierland. Disney is planning to introduce Villains Land as an exciting expansion for Magic Kingdom, intending to maintain its magical allure while introducing darker narratives.

The Glaring Omission: Where Is Dr. Facilier?

Among the villains unveiled across decades of Disney animation, the conspicuous lack of one character, in particular, has sparked much debate: Dr. Facilier, the captivating voodoo practitioner from 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog”.

Renowned for his charming yet mysterious persona, enigmatic sorcery, and catchy tunes such as “Friends on the Other Side,” Facilier is a beloved Disney villain frequently listed among the top due to his distinct New Orleans style and intricate portrayal. However, his absence in the Villains Land lineup has left many perplexed, particularly considering the land’s focus on dark magic and supernatural elements—aspects that perfectly complement Facilier’s character.

As a movie critic, I’ve often pondered why Facilier, a beloved character from “The Princess and the Frog,” has yet to make an appearance in subsequent Disney productions. It appears that this omission may be linked to wider whispers about Disney’s cautious approach towards portraying voodoo, a subject they seem eager to steer clear of for fear of perpetuating stereotypes or causing offense to practitioners and religious communities who view voodoo with respect.

This method follows the transformation seen in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the revamped Splash Mountain ride that debuted in 2024, which is based on the movie The Princess and the Frog. In this updated version, Facilier, who played a significant role in the initial film, is nowhere to be found. Furthermore, Mama Odie, previously depicted as a voodoo priestess, has been reimagined as a “bayou fairy godmother,” removing overt references to voodoo. (reddit.com)

According to insiders and reports, Disney intentionally revamped the attraction to eliminate references to voodoo, aiming to avoid potential disputes over negative portrayals being offensive stereotypes. Some reports described this as a company-wide initiative to respect spiritual sensitivities, with Facilier being considered too contentious because of his connection to voodoo practices.

On social media sites such as Reddit, fans have voiced their discontent, contending that leaving out Facilier lessens the cultural depth of the movie’s New Orleans backdrop.

Merchandise Pull and Mixed Signals

It’s interesting to note that there are differing accounts about Dr. Facilier’s merchandise. Lately, items related to Dr. Facilier have been observed for sale in park gift shops, even those situated close to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This discrepancy has sparked allegations of hypocrisy, as some people are puzzled as to why this villain is commercially viable yet seemingly absent from attractions and themed areas.

Don’t put him the ride but we’ll sell them next to each other 😂

— 🔥 FIVE FIRES 🔥 (@thecalibae) January 13, 2025

Disney hasn’t publicly addressed these matters yet, but the sequence of events seems to indicate a careful handling of culturally delicate subjects within their immersive offerings.

Fan Reactions and What It Means for Disney’s Future

The absence has ignited intense discussions on the internet. Some admirers laud Disney for upholding various perspectives and steering clear of possible criticism, while others contend it symbolizes excessive adjustment, depriving fans of a cherished figure and watering down Disney’s narrative.

In the unfolding story of “Villains Land,” there’s a growing curiosity among viewers about whether Disney might revisit the character of Facilier, or perhaps subtly hint at “The Princess and the Frog” without delving into voodoo magic again. As a film enthusiast, I can hardly wait to see what they come up with!

As construction progresses and further information is anticipated during future financial disclosures or announcements, Villains Land continues to be one of the highly anticipated projects at Disney World.

Whether Dr. Facilier’s “friends on the other side” will ever make an appearance is uncertain.

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2025-07-23 16:58