Main Street, U.S.A. is all decked out for the holidays right now. Garland and red bows hang from every building, holiday music fills the air, and the whole street feels like a Christmas card come to life. So it was a bit of a surprise to see a parade full of Disney Villains marching right through the middle of it during this week’s Christmas parade taping at Magic Kingdom.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t complaining. Halloween just ended, and I already miss it, so seeing Cruella, Ursula, Maleficent, and the rest of Disney’s baddies out in full force felt like a little gift. But for many guests watching from the curb, the sight of the villains leading a Christmas parade was a real shock.
If you keep up with theme park news, you probably figured out what was going on right away. With Villains Land officially on the way to Magic Kingdom, it seems very likely that the Christmas Day broadcast will include a moment or segment that teases or highlights the upcoming land. Here’s a look at which villains took over Main Street, U.S.A., how this fits into last year’s parade, and where Villains Land stands right now.
Christmas Parade Taping at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom held two daytime Christmas parades this week for the ABC holiday special taping. The tapings took place on November 10 and 11.
The finished special, Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, will air on ABC on Christmas morning at 10:00 AM Eastern. This year’s hosts are Robert Irwin and Malia Baker.
And this year, the villains stepped off first, giving the parade a surprisingly dark start for a holiday celebration.
The Villains Lead the Way
The segment kicked off with two performers carrying a red “Happy Holidays” banner. Behind them, a monitor displayed a line for host Robert Irwin asking viewers to name their favorite Disney villain.
Then the villains arrived.
The Queen of Hearts
The Queen of Hearts led the group, dancing down Main Street, U.S.A. in her red, black, and yellow gown. Card soldiers carrying heart, diamond, club, and spade standards surrounded her.
Cruella de Vil
Cruella rode in a white vintage-style open car with gold lamps and tufted seats, wrapped in her famous white fur coat. Her henchmen, Horace and Jasper, wore flat caps, with Horace behind the wheel.
Ursula
Ursula followed close behind and at one point held out a golden scroll toward guests, a fun nod to the contracts she offers in The Little Mermaid.
Gaston, Jafar, Captain Hook, and More
Gaston flexed for the crowd, with Jafar walking nearby. Captain Hook and his sidekick Smee joined the group as well.
Cinderella’s stepfamily brought the comedy, fighting for camera time much like they once fought for the prince’s attention. Dr. Facilier also appeared, grinning in his feathered top hat.
Maleficent and the Evil Queen Close the Segment
At the end of the villains segment came a teal float with stone arches and shelves of old books, including one labeled “Black Magic.” A giant pair of dark, clawed hands reached over the top, and Chernabog loomed above.
Mother Gothel from Tangled also appeared with the villains.
Maleficent stood in the center of the float, arms raised, wearing her black robes with lime-green accents and her horned headdress. Nearby, the Evil Queen posed beside the Magic Mirror, framed in ornate gold and purple, wearing her crown and a red-and-cream cape.
Seeing that dark float roll past garland-covered buildings, with candy canes and sugarplums following behind, made for a pretty striking contrast.
The Villains’ Second Christmas Takeover
This isn’t the first time the villains have joined the Christmas Day parade at Magic Kingdom. Last year marked their debut. At the time, Disney said that for the first time at Magic Kingdom, the villains were taking over Christmas morning with their own section of the parade.
This year’s taping makes it two years in a row.
Why Villains Land Fans Should Pay Attention
Many of the villains who marched down Main Street, U.S.A. this week will eventually have a home in Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Villains Land.
At D23 in August, Disney confirmed two headliner attractions:
- A Maleficent roller coaster: Riders will race through an enchanted briar patch around Maleficent’s mountaintop fortress. Imagineers say it will include elements never used on a roller coaster before.
- A Magic Mirror dark ride: The ride begins in the catacombs beneath the Evil Queen’s palace, where the Magic Mirror sends guests into its Mirror Realm.
The appearance of Maleficent and the Evil Queen with the Magic Mirror on the parade float feels like a clear nod to those attractions. Dr. Facilier is also expected to appear in Villains Land.
The Story Behind Villains Land
Villains Land centers on a Wishing Well that has been corrupted by an evil wish. That dark magic draws villains from across Disney’s animated films.
Disney has named Cruella, the Evil Queen, and Dr. Facilier among the villains who have used the well’s magic to create their own lairs. Each lair will double as a shop or dining location. Disney has also compared the land’s size to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Where Construction Stands
Villains Land is being built in Magic Kingdom’s northwest corner, on the site of the former Rivers of America.
Construction is still in the early stages. Crews have been grading pads for show buildings and installing underground utilities, with infrastructure work targeted for completion by 2028. Disney has not announced an opening date.
Watch for the Villains on Christmas Morning
With the villains front and center during this week’s taping, there’s a good chance the Christmas Day broadcast will give Villains Land a moment in the spotlight. Fans will have to tune in on December 25 to see exactly how ABC presents it.
Are you excited to see the Disney Villains take over the Christmas Day parade again?
