Disney has big plans for the rest of 2025. For starters, it’s launching two new ships — Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny — bringing its Disney Cruise Line fleet to eight by the end of year.
There’s also a lot of construction happening in the parks.
At Disney World Magic Kingdom, four attractions are being refurbished and will open later this year or in early 2026: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Astro Oribiter, The Hall of Presidents, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
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Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds and Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster are closing soon with TBD reopening dates, and Indiana Jones Adventure will open in late April after a relatively short closure. That’s just some of what’s happening in the two flagship parks.
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Then there are the villains. It’s safe to say Disney is doubling down on its bad guys and gals in 2025 and beyond.
Disney just announced a new production, “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” an experience that promises to shine a spotlight on some of Disney’s most beloved (beloathed?) villains, like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, showing them in a new light and with a twist. The characters who have long been the arch-nemeses of Disney heroes now take center stage. Who is the most misunderstood? Who’s had the toughest time being a villain?
The notorious baddies finally get to share their sides of the stories, and they’re going to be doing it everywhere.
Disney is putting its villains front and center.
Image source: Getty Images
New Disney Cruise Line ship to feature villains
Later this year, in November, Disney’s Destiny will set sail from Fort Lauderdale. Destiny is the third ship in Disney’s “Wish” class, featuring Disney’s biggest ships to date. And the designers left plenty of room for scoundrel types.
In the ship’s Grand Hall, guests will be treated to interactive performances featuring Loki attempting a sort of mutiny to steal control of the ship, Cruella de Vil hosting a fashion show and offering guests presumably unflattering commentary on their clothing, and Dr. Facilier doing magic tricks.
Passengers will also find Maleficent engaged in her signature evildoing in the Saga event space.
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In the ship’s Walt Disney Theater, a Hercules show will feature giant puppets, including a seven-headed dragon that looks pretty terrifying in the concept art shared by the cruise line.
Related: Popular upscale Disney World celebrity restaurant closing permanently
Disney Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom
Guests who just can’t get enough of Disney’s brutes will want to be first in line for the whole new land devoted to villains.
At last summer’s D23 event — Disney’s annual fan convention — a Disney spokesperson revealed a major new land will be built at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, and it will be all about the monsters. Details are still slim, but it will include shopping, dining, and two “major new attractions.”
“This land will be home to the villains that you know, and those that you loathe,” said Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro at the event.
Villains Land, real name TBD, is expected to open at some point in 2030 or beyond.
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