Disney fans left devastated after theme park dramatically scales back on its villains

Disneyland visitors have been left disappointed after reports claimed the Evil Queen and other Disney villains are being scaled back.

Rumors circulating online have suggested that certain characters will stop making year-round appearances.

Instead, it has been reported that the villains will mainly step out for Halloween.

Panic was sparked after an actress playing the Evil Queen made an urgent appeal to keep her at the parks after October ends.

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, she said in character: ‘Go complain. Tell them you want me specifically all year round.’

The social media post ignited a huge response online with many revealing they have complained to Disney.

‘Reducing the hours of the very first Disney villain from the original Disney park… that is madness,’ one said.

‘I’ve submitted my complaint. She deserves so much more than this. They are not worthy of her talent – she belongs on Broadway.’

Another wrote: ‘I submitted feedback – I did not reference her specifically as I’ve heard Disney does not like when specific cast members gain a following – rather framed it as the removal of all villains year round and expressed the disappointment in this decision and that it has impacted my decision to book Disneyland.

‘I told them I put my booking plans on hold.’

Disney fans have also speculated that the removal of the villains is a cost-cutting measure and that it ties in with the upcoming arrival of Villains Land in Orlando, Florida.

Sharing their theories on X, formerly Twitter, one said: ‘Totally just an excuse not to pay villain performers all year.’

‘So, you’ll need to pay a premium to see the villains,’ another said.

A third continued: ‘This is a recession indicator. The largest theme park in the US is laying off character actors, because ticket sales are down.’

‘Pulling back and making them a commodity so when Villains Land opens there’s a demand,’ a fourth added.

‘They can’t afford this diva,’ continued another alongside a photo of the Evil Queen.

Last year, Disney World announced that Magic Kingdom in Orlando is expanding with the addition of a new park section dedicated to villains.

‘This land will be home to the villains that you know and those that you loathe, which means happily ever after… It may feel like just a distant dream,’ Chairperson of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro announced.

He added that Villains Land will be a ‘fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.’

Villains Land will not only come with two major attractions, but it will also include additional shopping and dining options.

There’s no denying that Disney has taken numerous strides to become more inclusive in recent years.

From amending park policy to stop staff from using gendered greetings to removing offensive imagery from rides and movies, there’s been plenty of change – but some people feel the company has gone too far in its ‘woke’ decision making.

Perhaps one of the most obvious adjustments has been Disney giving old characters progressive makeovers when it comes to live-action remakes of the classic films.

Disney updated the designs and stories of some of its most original characters to reflect modern values and sensibilities, with the 2022 film Lightyear even featuring a gay kiss between two female characters.

They have also made a conscious effort to shift the focus to empowering characters – especially female ones – allowing them to take on more active and independent roles in storylines.

Earlier this month, Daily Mail reported that Disneyland has raised prices across the board, making the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ a luxury few can afford.

The California theme park in Anaheim quietly rolled out new pricing at the beginning of October, marking another round of increases that Disney said reflect rising operational costs and higher wages for park employees.

While the resort’s lowest single-day ticket – the Tier 0 pass – will remain at $104, a price frozen since 2018, most other tiers are climbing.

The most expensive single-day option, the Tier 6 ticket, will now cost $224, up from $206 – an 8.7 percent hike. That price applies to peak days, including holidays and the busy Christmas week.