Disney Drops Villains Coaster, Chooses ‘The Incredibles’ Instead

Disney once planned a full Villains Land for one U.S. park — and then abandoned it entirely, replacing the concept with Pixar. That scrapped project now looms over the newly announced Villains Land for Magic Kingdom, raising questions about whether Disney will fully commit this time.

The current Villains Land plan was confirmed at D23 in 2024, ending years of speculation. Disney Experiences Chairman — soon to become CEO — Josh D’Amaro framed the project as “a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be, incorporating attractions inspired by some of Disney’s most iconic antagonists.”

Beyond that statement, details have been limited. Disney has not confirmed which villains will anchor the land, how many attractions it will include, or when it will open. Nearly two years later, those gaps remain.

That lack of clarity is notable given Disney’s history with the concept.

The Villains Land Disney Never Built

According to The Wrap, Walt Disney Imagineering previously developed a Villains Land for Disney California Adventure Park. The project targeted Paradise Pier and advanced far enough to include detailed attraction concepts.

The land would have dramatically reshaped California Screamin’, pushing the coaster fully into Disney Villains territory through extensive visual changes rather than a light overlay.

Plans called for the scream tunnels to become a massive Jafar snake inspired by Aladdin (1992). The inverted loop was designed as a giant version of Captain Hook’s hook from Peter Pan (1953).

Additional attractions expanded the footprint. A Dumbo-style spinner themed to Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989) was slated for the coaster’s western helix.

That spinner would have occupied the same space now used by Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind, underscoring how close the project came to construction.

Disney ultimately walked away from the Villains Land concept. Instead, Paradise Pier was reworked into Pixar Pier, which opened in 2018.

California Screamin’ became Incredicoaster with The Incredibles (2004) theming. Toy Story Mania!, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, and Pixar Pal-A-Round anchored the land.

Dining shifted accordingly. Lamplight Lounge, Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums, and Señor Buzz Churros reinforced a lighter, family-forward tone.

What Changed for Magic Kingdom

Some elements from the abandoned California project appear to have survived.

According to The Wrap, the Ursula spinning ride originally developed for Disney California Adventure resurfaced in revised plans for Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land.

Poor Ursula is nearly in line for a ride in different Disney Parks but the green light never comes. Maybe this time it will happen in #Villainsland #DisneyVillains

Poor Ursula is nearly in line for a ride in different Disney Parks but the green light never comes. Maybe this time it will happen in #Villainsland #DisneyVillains pic.twitter.com/GJMMjlJ8ao

— Jim Shull (@JimShull) February 26, 2026

 

The attraction was reportedly folded into a broader rethink rather than scrapped outright.

From there, plans expanded. D’Amaro allegedly challenged Imagineers to broaden the appeal, resulting in concepts that leaned more family-friendly than earlier iterations.

Those reportedly included a Maleficent-themed indoor water ride inspired by Sleeping Beauty (1959), a lighter coaster featuring Yzma and Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), and a Hades-themed dinner show based on Hercules (1997).

Earlier versions reportedly leaned darker. These included a Maleficent thrill coaster and a Madam Medusa restaurant inspired by The Rescuers (1977).

The shift has drawn criticism from some fans.

“When fans vent their frustrations about Villains land, it’s not solely because they want something scarier,” wrote one X, formerly Twitter, user. “I think what they are wanting (in part) is a land that unifies the villains with a common story/goal, and a revolutionary dark ride that showcases the best of Disney tech.”

Others were less forgiving. “Sorry but an Emperor’s New Groove coaster in Villains land sounds lame,” said one user.

Still, some argue expectations were misplaced.

“People freaking out about possible attractions coming to Villains Land shouldn’t surprise me,” one X user said. “Magic Kingdom is the most visited family-friendly theme park on earth.”

Are you excited for Disney Villains Land?