Glenn Close Revives Cruella De Vil To Unveil Disney World Ride

Cruella de Vil is officially back to reclaim her spot as Disney's ultimate fashion powerhouse. Acting royalty Glenn Close shocked the audience at the D23 fan convention on Saturday, stepping onto the main stage completely transformed into her famous *101 Dalmatians* character. Sporting the iconic two-tone split wig, a dramatic red-and-black coat, and a matching pillbox hat, the 79-year-old screen icon proved she hasn't lost a single drop of her wickedly sharp charisma. Staying firmly in character throughout her brief appearance, Close took playful aim at other infamous Disney bad guys. She poked fun at Maleficent's upcoming theme park presence, poking lighthearted shade at the rival dark fairy before declaring that dragon scales and classic leather are entirely out of style. In true Cruella fashion, she sneered that any woman with real taste would naturally choose high-fashion spotted fur over basic leather every single time. ## Did Glenn Close play Cruella de Vil at D23? Her unexpected cameo wasn't just a fun moment of nostalgia for long-time fans. Close took the opportunity to officially announce that Walt Disney World’s upcoming "Villains Land" expansion in Orlando, Florida, will feature a brand-new attraction built entirely around Cruella de Vil. Teasing what guests might expect once the park area opens, she joked that the ride's vehicles should obviously be filled with little dogs. Close first brought the notoriously fur-obsessed fashion mogul to life in the hit 1996 live-action adaptation *101 Dalmatians*, before reprising the beloved role four years later in the 2000 sequel *102 Dalmatians*. Her over-the-top, menacing, and hilarious performance helped turn the live-action remake into a massive box-office hit, setting the gold standard for all of Disney's subsequent live-action reimaginings. ## What is the new Cruella ride at Disney World? While specific details regarding the exact ride mechanics and opening timeline remain under wraps, the broader Villains Land concept is easily one of the most talked-about theme park developments in recent Disney history. Having Close herself return to bless the announcement ensures that Cruella's spot in the new park section will be a major highlight for parkgoers. Fans instantly flooded social media with clips of the stage moment, celebrating Close's flawless return to the role after more than two decades. With her signature villain grin intact, she left the audience cheering and hungry for more details about the ultimate bad-guy theme park experience.