News Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[Rhinocerous]

If there is a Heaven and Walt is there looking down at all of this, what would he think?

To paraphrase a poignant Queen song...

"If there's a (Walt) in the sky looking down
what can he think of what we've done
to the World that he created?"

 

[DisneyHead123]

Would it be possible to save the river, island and boat by canceling the names "Tom Sawyer", "America" and "Liberty Belle"?

In other words:

The Rivers of "something else"
"Somebody else's" Island
"Something else" Riverboat.

I feel like this "re-theme" would be a compromise that would allow us to keep the water feature view itself but would sterilize it for today"s modern audience.

They did this for Splash and made it Tiana's. Why cant they do it for the river, island and boat? I dont like this idea but I'll accept it in order to give Disney what they need...yet still keep the space.

Honestly I think the reasoning is that none of that area is IP. Classic non-IP rides may be allowed to stay if they’re popular, but anything that is there primarily for visual reasons has to be an ad for merch in the park stores.

 

[Brer Panther]

In fact, princess Tiana is the first American princess that they made.

Unless you count Pocahontas, I suppose?

 

[Starship824]

Unless you count Pocahontas, I suppose?

I guess so. I forgot about her.

 

[Steamboat71]

I still have faith that they will rework this project to keep part of the river.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

I still have faith that they will rework this project to keep part of the river.

For some reason something over me is sensing the same even though with Disney done deal seems done deal but that is probably me comparing it to Splash Mountain which that was a reason to do.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Uggg....if canceling the "old-American history" theme can satisfy Burbank execs?...yeah, I guess I can be happy with Mater's Island Mudd Puddle re-theme. At least we vould keep this big water feature. Now,...for Liberty Square? How will Burbank try to cancel or re-theme that part?

Uggg....I love classic "America" and I'd really hate to see it go away from WDW. I guees it's all just culturally or socially offensive by Burbank's standards in 2024.

If there is a Heaven and Walt is there looking down at all of this, what would he think?

You’re acting as if they’re ripping any and all reference to Americana out of every Disney park in the world.

It’s one section of one land in one park. As of this moment in time, this idea isn’t carrying over anywhere else.

It’s not that it’s offensive. That isn’t what is guiding this. Its that it isn’t really all that popular with modern audiences. They don’t really care about the wild west, the frontier, cowboys. All that started to fall out of fashion with the general public many years ago and has never rebounded.

Some people still may be interested in it but it’s a small section of people. They rarely even teach about this period in school anymore its of such little interest to most. It just isn’t as intriguing as a tropical adventure, or the future (or retrofuturism) or fantasy and that’s why I don’t think its an accident that this is the land getting overhauled.

I would bet serious money that guest feedback revealed Frontierland to be one of the park’s least popular areas because it’s core theme and concept is not of great interest to visitors anymore.

 

[Fox&Hound]

Even though it pains me, people have this wrong. It’s not “gee why can’t Disney build this cars ride somewhere else and save the rivers of America”. Disney wants to get rid of the rivers of America, and for whatever reason, settled on this IP to do it. It is Splash all over again.

 

[JoeCamel]

Even though it pains me, people have this wrong. It’s not “gee why can’t Disney build this cars ride somewhere else and save the rivers of America”. Disney wants to get rid of the rivers of America, and for whatever reason, settled on this IP to do it. It is Splash all over again.

But with different motivations, I don't think there is any agenda beyond replacing non revenue generating space with revenue generating space. The boat and the lower island will be a loss but I did a keys tour in 2010? and brought up the small footprint they had to work with while we were in the utilidoor looking at a map of the MK and the guide pointed at the north end of the river......
This has been in the mix for many years

 

[FettFan]

But with different motivations, I don't think there is any agenda beyond replacing non revenue generating space with revenue generating space. The boat and the lower island will be a loss but I did a keys tour in 2010? and brought up the small footprint they had to work with while we were in the utilidoor looking at a map of the MK and the guide pointed out the north end of the river......
This has been in the mix for many years

Sacrificing long-term legacy for short-term gains. Might as well call him Bob Esau at this point.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Even though it pains me, people have this wrong. It’s not “gee why can’t Disney build this cars ride somewhere else and save the rivers of America”. Disney wants to get rid of the rivers of America, and for whatever reason, settled on this IP to do it. It is Splash all over again.

They want to say that Splash Mountain was change they was looking into back since 2018. Even if it was, it's since after that it's a non-stop cleaning. Country Bears was saved but basically now they sing Disney and they renamed the character that if the name was so bad they could renamed just before. Then came closing down the shooting arcade in a part of Frontierland that doesn't need to be demolished for expansion turned into a DVC space for crying out loud. One right the other as if knowing if they can toss Splash Mountain and those Animatronics out of the window then they can absolutely anything else. Oh Peter Pan got a modification swap! This stuff isn't in between years, it's all roasting right after the next right after Splash between Splash openings on both coasts.

 

[John park hopper]

It is death by a thousand cuts and it has been going on for years. We who have been to WDW over many years can see it, the recent visitors won't but 10 years from now if they are still going will.

 

[Epcot81Fan]

Losing ROA is a leg amputation without anesthesia.

 

[Splashin' Ryan]

It is death by a thousand cuts and it has been going on for years. We who have been to WDW over many years can see it, the recent visitors won't but 10 years from now if they are still going well.

this is exactly it. Everyone who supports this and justifies it by saying "It's just one area of the park" or "It's just one attraction" are missing the point entirely. These "it's just something small" changes compiled over decades significantly degrade the park experience. It's the same reason the parks are just becoming their own list of IP to experience rather than a cohesive theme. Disney didn't become popular because you could experience the latest hit movie there, they became popular because it was an entire world of one normally cohesive story (yes you could nitpick for days which short-lived show or attraction doesn't fit this idea but still). Unfortunately the new visitors to WDW now only have a shred of what that cohesiveness used to be like so even when you try to explain it to them they simply don't understand what used to exist. It might sound harsh but I genuinely don't think people understand what they like sometimes and what draws them into the parks. Sure you might book that trip to see the newest attraction but the reason you actually feel confident spending the thousands to do so is because you are pining on it being an out-of-this-world experience, not because of that one actual attraction. If the small chinks in the armor of cohesiveness continue over decades, that confidence in spending your money will go down and I think we're already starting to see that.

 

[Gusey]

this is exactly it. Everyone who supports this and justifies it by saying "It's just one area of the park" or "It's just one attraction" are missing the point entirely. These "it's just something small" changes compiled over decades significantly degrade the park experience. It's the same reason the parks are just becoming their own list of IP to experience rather than a cohesive theme. Disney didn't become popular because you could experience the latest hit movie there, they became popular because it was an entire world of one normally cohesive story (yes you could nitpick for days which short-lived show or attraction doesn't fit this idea but still). Unfortunately the new visitors to WDW now only have a shred of what that cohesiveness used to be like so even when you try to explain it to them they simply don't understand what used to exist. It might sound harsh but I genuinely don't think people understand what they like sometimes and what draws them into the parks. Sure you might book that trip to see the newest attraction but the reason you actually feel confident spending the thousands to do so is because you are pining on it being an out-of-this-world experience, not because of that one actual attraction. If the small chinks in the armor of cohesiveness continue over decades, that confidence in spending your money will go down and I think we're already starting to see that.

Going to play devil's advocate though and ask, should Disney just be catering to long-term fans and refuse to replace opening day attractions? They need to appeal to all audience, the old and the new, in order to get people to return. I'm not saying that Cars fits into Froniterland, but sometimes some old attractions do need replacing to add something that will appeal to a broader audience

 

[harryk]

To ruin a paddle boat that has been a WDW classic for years to be replaced with cars is a shame and not a well thought out idea. The Magic Kingdom is not about cars or a multitude of Roller Coasters. The Magic Kingdom is about a relaxing time and enchantment of days gone by with a few great rides scattered around. Can you imagine Main Street USA now Futuristic style road or Cinderella's Castle reduced to fancy Condo's. The Paddle Wheel boat is an iconic classy experience of yester years. How about Walt's Train and the love of them. Magic Kingdom is relaxing, entertaining, getting the mind revved up for all the lands and adventures that awaits. I know things do evolve but Magic Kingdom is about living in yester year that had a real peaceful relaxing time when this country was evolving to what it is today. Those old-time charms are beautiful. Why can't they simply add Cars to another piece of property around the Kingdom? There is something so special about when you first enter into Magic Kingdom and see the old time overlay and balloons and shops, Horses Singers, Old time costumes and color and see the castle in the distance. Then onto to Liberty Square where you see that paddle boat and the thrill of riding something of yesteryear that use to fill the great rivers in the USA. Magic Kingdom is the nicest, colorful entrance to any park that I have ever been in. It's just so inviting and makes you smile, and your senses come alive. It's Walt's dream and imagination and a feel of connection to this place.

Maybe I am old or not wanting change on certain things in this park. This park is where dreams do come alive, and the possibility of adventure awaits. Elephants fly, we encounter pirates and visit a Haunted Mansion filled with ghost's and dive deep into space. We take the Jungle cruise to see exotic animals and river encounters in the jungle.

Any other Disney Park Cars could go and fit. But The Magic Kingdom is where WDW all begins. That's why I hate to see cars placed in and the Paddle Boat removed.

Great to see someone thinking the same as I am thinking. I remember Walt on one of the Sunday shows telling us about the Florida Project. There is enough space to add to all their thoughts and desires in the future. Instead of removing an attraction they have the space to add attractions. Yes, they show a Villain's Land beyond Thunder Mountain, a cars land can go there also. Keep the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. It is a shame that current management is all about eliminating attractions to add attractions.

 

[Bocabear]

Going to play devil's advocate though and ask, should Disney just be catering to long-term fans and refuse to replace opening day attractions? They need to appeal to all audience, the old and the new, in order to get people to return. I'm not saying that Cars fits into Froniterland, but sometimes some old attractions do need replacing to add something that will appeal to a broader audience

So add an attraction that fits the "land" and Park they are putting it in. Cars fits absolutely nothing in the Magic Kingdom... I am all for a Carsland area...but the park that has the least attractions (DHS) needs it... MK would be better off with the Coco boat ride or something actually themed to the American Frontier... Something that would not involve destroying the central feature for two lands that would also kill two currenntly running attractions...They are forever altering the fabric of the park for this shoehorned addition....
Yeah, I get wanting to add fresh attractions, but the cost of this is too dear. Choose something else that works better with the feel of the park...or put this whole mess where the Speedway is and retheme the Fantasyland train station to fit the National Parks theme.. remove the circus tens and splash pad and add that as part of that area as it's own miniland.

 

[FettFan]

Going to play devil's advocate though and ask, should Disney just be catering to long-term fans and refuse to replace opening day attractions? They need to appeal to all audience, the old and the new, in order to get people to return. I'm not saying that Cars fits into Froniterland, but sometimes some old attractions do need replacing to add something that will appeal to a broader audience

No. They can be changed as needed.

Case in point: Jungle Cruise’s recent changes. They didn’t just bulldoze the thing and build Indiana Jones on top of its grave.

 

[Rhinocerous]

No. They can be changed as needed.

Case in point: Jungle Cruise’s recent changes. They didn’t just bulldoze the thing and build Indiana Jones on top of its grave.

Fun fact: They offered the Jungle Cruise plot to Indy first, but he said

 

[Gusey]

So add an attraction that fits the "land" and Park they are putting it in. Cars fits absolutely nothing in the Magic Kingdom... I am all for a Carsland area...but the park that has the least attractions (DHS) needs it... MK would be better off with the Coco boat ride or something actually themed to the American Frontier... Something that would not involve destroying the central feature for two lands that would also kill two currenntly running attractions...They are forever altering the fabric of the park for this shoehorned addition....
Yeah, I get wanting to add fresh attractions, but the cost of this is too dear. Choose something else that works better with the feel of the park...or put this whole mess where the Speedway is and retheme the Fantasyland train station to fit the National Parks theme.. remove the circus tens and splash pad and add that as part of that area as it's own miniland.

We're all now discovering that "Beyond Big Thunder" was just code for RoA. Hypothetically, If they did announce a Coco attraction or something themed to American Frontier to replaced RoA, would we still be seeing the same reaction?