MK Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[KDM31091]

The tone of this big splashy announcement sounds suspiciously like damage control.

Although some of today's details do seem more positive than what was initially revealed, desperately pleading "I swear, it's not as bad as it sounds!" doesn't inspire confidence.

They may be able to slightly minimize the harm done to the overall park experience, but they clearly know it's a bad idea from its very core. That this strain is so clearly visible in the fluffy press release is an indictment of the whole decision-making process.

I get the vibe that no one in the marketing team or imagineering really love this idea but are stuck with it and trying to spin it as positively as possible. It is a shame that at least IMO, lightning lane sales trump everything, and any attraction that won't add to them, and/or isn't IP is sooner or later going to go away.

 

[JD80]

Again, where was that confirmed? That's not how construction across 2 adjacent plots of land would or should ever work. There will be overlap in construction for sure.

Oh I agree. They just haven't said anything about construction so nothing is confirmed either way. Common sense work will be done at the same time. But Carsland will be opening first.

 

[JD80]

I sure hope you are right. But, we cannot forget that Disney has failed to deliver on concept art on more than one occasion. As long as it is delivered as pictured, it at least softens the blow to me, although regardless I think it's a shame to lose an all ages attraction for another lightning lane sell generating one.

Disney Fantasy Springs turned out better than the concept art imo.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The people still mad about this are just always mad about everything.

Not really…. I’m down here now and loved the new pyro additions to happily ever after. Being mad that I’m saying goodbye to muppets and the riverboat doesn’t mean I’m mad about everything.

Looks like some elements of TSI are being incorporated. Walking paths, barrel bridge, etc. I wonder if they’ll incorporate any caves or areas for kids to run into.

Yes… I feel less sad about the loss of TSI which makes the fact they are purposely ditching the riverboat all the more upsetting.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Ah, so the rules for thee, but not for me argument.

Well, no. I explained how it fit the aesthetics and time period of the land (which were the theme of the land). Placemaking matters more than backstory. Guests aren’t going to “read up” on the Disney Parks Blog to see the justification for how it all “fits together”. Besides, I don’t recall Splash Mountain having signs with the word “Georgia” in it. You do see many signs with the words “New Orleans” in TBA.

 

[mickEblu]

The COUNTRY Bears are from the North Woods? What in the reverse engineering is going on here?

 

[LittleBuford]

The people still mad about this are just always mad about everything.

Not true. I’m very much on the Pixie Duster end of the spectrum, and though today’s news leaves me a bit more optimistic about the project than I was, I still wish it weren’t happening.

I’m glad you and others are into it, but there’s no need to question the legitimacy of others’ feelings.

 

[LittleBuford]

The COUNTRY Bears are from the North Woods? What in the reverse engineering is going on here?

This isn’t new. From 1972:

One of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World in Florida is the country-western musical mish-mash known as Country Bear Jamboree. It stars the wildest bunch of foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ rip-snorters ever to lumber out of the north woods. And this spring, the “rip-snorters” are coming to Disneyland, bringing with them, along with their lack of talent, a whole new land to the “happiest place of earth”: Bear Country.​

Yesterland: Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland Park

yesterland.com

 

[mickEblu]

This isn’t new. From 1972:

One of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World in Florida is the country-western musical mish-mash known as Country Bear Jamboree. It stars the wildest bunch of foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ rip-snorters ever to lumber out of the north woods. And this spring, the “rip-snorters” are coming to Disneyland, bringing with them, along with their lack of talent, a whole new land to the “happiest place of earth”: Bear Country.​

Yesterland: Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland Park

yesterland.com

Is there another North Woods? The one I looked up said it’s around NY, Vermont etc. Seems like an odd back story choice.

 

[Ayla]

Is there another North Woods? The one I looked up said it’s around NY, Vermont etc.

We call northern WI the North Woods.

 

[DrStarlander]

I hope they give that whole area around Country Bears a full bear-themed make-over (a bear saloon, a bear general store...) so it has a cohesive sense of place and sense of humor/gags (not one anthropomorphic bear attraction in a human world). Now that they are chopping up Frontierland so much into distinct areas, each area needs to get dialed in to be a clear, specific thematic concept.

 

[el_super]

It’s not really about the reactions. The plans always included water and water features in this area.

Seriously. I had to go back and take a look at the concept art again just to be sure, since I wasn't understanding the reactions here. It basically looks the same as the other piece of art released. Maybe just from a different angle.

Still looks great.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Sometime next decade.

So the train circle won't operate again for at least 7-8 years.

Villain's Land will not be opening in 4 years.

Having the train go into shuttle mode for like 4-7 years is pathetic.

Ok so sorry if this is a stupid question but I want to ask, once RoA and TSI closes in July, will the Piston Peak and Villains land be built simultaneously, or will it be Piston Peak first, then Villains land?

Villain's will be started after the Cars area is finished.

Both Cars mini-land and Villains Land were announced at the last D23 and both were presented as taking only 5 years.

So, everyone who keeps saying "7 years" or "9 years" is just ginning up Disney hate. Now, could these two 5-year projects go past their deadline? Oh, most definitely. Can you presume they will go past their deadline? Sure, if you forget all of Pandora only took 3 1/2 years. You're free to presume what you want.

But don't start saying 7 or 9 years like that is the plan. It's not.

And yes, both Cars and Villains will be constructed at the same time. Tho, Disney has not said so, it has to overlap otherwise...

1. Why would the RR be closed in that area unless they were also working on Villains?

2. In order to get both done in the planned 5-year time frame, they can't wait until Cars is done and up and running and *then* start on Villains.

Again, where was that confirmed? That's not how construction across 2 adjacent plots of land would or should ever work. There will be overlap in construction for sure.

Indeed.

 

[IanDLBZF]

Not the first time this has happened though

 

[Casper Gutman]

The Perpetually Positive Poster Patrol is out in force.

This truly stinks of damage control. Frankly, it smells a lot like the “announcement” that Muppets will be replaced by a new “show” that emerged, with absolutely no details, out of thin air.

The “concept art” is a cartoon. That was a very intentional choice. You use a cartoon when you want to emphasize certain elements beyond their realistic proportions - elements like water features - and hide others.

The American “history” here makes my head hurt.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Tbf, Splash Mountain takes place in Georgia and that state isn't even consider part of the American Frontier at all (yeah I know the mountain is supposed to fit in with BTMRR and the surrounding lands, but my point still stands)

Then please explain how Haunted Mansion in upstate NY was part of the American Frontier since WDW puts it in Frontierland.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Both Cars mini-land and Villains Land were announced at the last D23 and both were presented as taking only 5 years.

So, everyone who keeps saying "7 years" or "9 years" is just ginning up Disney hate. Now, could these two 5-year projects go past their deadline? Oh, most definitely. Can you presume they will go past their deadline? Sure, if you pretend all of Pandora only took 3 1/2 years. You're free to presume what you want.

But don't start saying 7 or 9 years like that is the plan. It's not.

And yes, both Cars and Villains will be constructed at the same time. Tho, Disney has not said so, it has to overlap otherwise...

1. Why would the RR be closed in that area unless they were also working on Villains?

2. In order to get both done in the planned 5-year time frame, they can't wait until Cars is done and up and running and *then* start on Villains.




Indeed.

What makes you think the 5 year thing is an INTERNAL deadline? It was a vague comment at a PR event full of spin and nonsense.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I do like how the new concept art is like, “Here’s your water.”

I missed it! New concept drawings?

 

[Casper Gutman]

I missed it! New concept drawings?

New cartoon.

 

[FigmentJedi]

This isn’t new. From 1972:

One of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World in Florida is the country-western musical mish-mash known as Country Bear Jamboree. It stars the wildest bunch of foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ rip-snorters ever to lumber out of the north woods. And this spring, the “rip-snorters” are coming to Disneyland, bringing with them, along with their lack of talent, a whole new land to the “happiest place of earth”: Bear Country.​

Yesterland: Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland Park

yesterland.com

That's odd, the Imagineering Field Guide book from years ago described Grizzly Hall as being somewhere in the Rockies.