News Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[Andrew C]

More news and concept art - it is going in Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island:

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It’s time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations. To make way for this completely new frontier, 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.

“We are thrilled to create this original Cars adventure and put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland,” shared Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so many of us to keep propelling forward. Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests.”

The new area will bring you along for the ride (pun intended) with a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains, climbing trails, and dodging geysers, in addition to a second attraction geared towards fun for the whole family.

The new area will bring you along for the ride (pun intended) with a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains, climbing trails, and dodging geysers, in addition to a second attraction geared towards fun for the whole family.

Ahead of work revving into high gear next year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.

And cruising just around the bend, guests will be able to venture Beyond Big Thunder Mountain into an all-new land dedicated to Disney Villains. Inspired by the wicked characters fans know and loathe, the multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life.

Together, these new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history.

New Details Revealed for Magic Kingdom Expansion

It’s time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations. This marks the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history!

disneyparksblog.com

Wait wait wait...the river is gone here then, correct?

 

[Dunston]

On the other hand, at least it's not a lazy copy and paste Radiator Springs Racers clone

*looking at poop* hmmm well at least it’s not diarrhea

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This is awful - we lose the river boat capacity and have cars right next to the HM. What is wrong with Disney management.

River boat is the thing you do to kill time when there's nothing actually fun to do.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Here's an image from Google Earth of the same area from (roughly) the same angle with key landmarks highlighted in the two for comparison sakes... on the plus side (if there is one)... it gives them lots of space/opportunity to do something with the Haunted Mansion queue...

 

[ctrlaltdel]

Makes sense they did not announce it at D23, even if it does feel like a bait and switch. Can't imagine it going over well in the parks panel.

I have to admit the concept art of the overview does make it look cool, though losing the river sucks.

 

[Andrew25]

Whats the kids ride the just glossed over it

I'm hopeful that it's a replacement for the Tomorrowland Speedway. It just makes sense long-term to find a replacement for it while providing future expansion space for Tomorrowland/Fantasyland.

Not a fan of the current Speedway, but it's popularity/nostalgia factor for children/parents is a necessary component to the Disney experience.

I think Disney is still figuring out what to do with Tomorrowland for both coasts, so this gives them a few more years to lock a concept. They also still can't close SM until more capacity is added.

 

[Disstevefan1]

What is wrong with Disney management.

Creative impotence.

 

[JD80]

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

Oh so like... the ENTIRE RoA is gone?

Wow.

 

[JustInTime]

This sucks.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wonder why the Riverboat dock is left intact.

 

[ctrlaltdel]

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It does appear that a portion of ROA will remain next to Big Thunder (look in the upper right hand corner), so I'm assuming at least a portion of the upper half stays (and probably acts as a buffer between villians)

 

[celluloid]

Tokyo and Paris it is for here on out then.

 

[Brian]

Wonder why the Riverboat dock is left intact.

Just to be a**holes about it.

 

[Andrew C]

Wonder why the Riverboat dock is left intact.

concept artist wasn't sure...

 

[Disstevefan1]

Here's an image from Google Earth of the same area from (roughly) the same angle with key landmarks highlighted in the two for comparison sakes... on the plus side (if there is one)... it gives them lots of space/opportunity to do something with the Haunted Mansion queue...


View attachment 808576

Wow, it took them 5 years to remove the fountain of nations.

How many years will it take them to remove the Rivers of America?

 

[Horizons '83]

Well, hate to see ROA go though honestly, I think we went to TS island once in our last 10 trips and rode the Liberty Belle twice, so not really missing much by way of attractions, but more so the aesthetics. I do hope they have a significant berm that separates Cars from the Haunted Mansion. This is going to be an expensive expansion.

 

[Andrew C]

but more so the aesthetics

It is the best looking part of the entire park. Looking over the river as you walk from liberty square and into frontierland...it is not always just about the attractions.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Any chance they move the riverboat over to DHS for Fantasmic? (I'm guessing there are a dozen or two logistical reasons why that would not be possible... but yeah, just asking)

 

[Haymarket2008]

Easily the worst decision in the history of Disney theme parks. A travesty.