Disney World reveals plans for largest expansion at Magic Kingdom

WASHINGTON — Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort are getting some new lands and attractions, the company announced Saturday. 

At D23, Disney's annual convention, new plans were announced for Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios parks.  

At Magic Kingdom, there'll be an entirely new "land" inside the park focused around villains. While beloved bad guys such as Maleficent and Cruella de Ville have previously taken the back seat to heroes and princesses, the new area will give them a chance to shine. 

Disney officials did not provide a timeline for when the new area would be opening, but said it would feature two new attractions as well as dining and shopping opportunities. 

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro emphasized the size of the villains expansion, saying it would give the Imagineers (Disney's park designers) room to flex their creative muscles. 

“Since the beginning, our Disney Villains have given us endless possibilities to tell new stories,” D’Amaro said. “In this new land, you’ll see storytelling on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver.”

The other area, D'Amaro said, would expand the Frontierland section of the park with an area themed after the town of Radiator Springs from the first "Cars" movie. 

Some iconic areas of the park will be transformed to make room for the "Cars" expansion. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into "vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers," according to details about the new area released by Disney. 

The company says the additions to the Magic Kingdom represent the largest expansion in the park's history. 

Over at the Animal Kingdom, a new land called Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027. That section of the park will feature a new attraction based on "Encanto" and another ride based on "Indiana Jones." 

Disney's Hollywood Studios is getting a new land based on Pixar's "Monster's Inc" franchise. The plans include a new attraction that'll be the first suspended rollercoaster ever at a Disney Park. 

Across the country in California, two more Marvel-themed attractions will be coming to Disney California Adventure. There will also be a new attraction inspired by the second Avatar film, "Avatar: The Way of Water," as well as the upcoming sequels.

During D23, Disney also teased upcoming movies and TV series including “Moana 2,” “Incredibles 3,”the live-action “Snow White” and much more.