News Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[BrianLo]

The river adds character, atmosphere, and beauty. These are not unimportant to one’s experience of the park; they are fundamental to it.

A choice was definitely made and I will not remotely deny the controversy of this choice. One I look forward to litigating for the next 4-5 years.

I think the new area may include more character, atmosphere and beauty than probably the knee jerk reaction to this figures. Hanging out by Radiator Springs Racers carries that spark. To me at least. Will it carry as much charm as ROA? I have no idea. But there’s a good amount of rock work and trees I see.

At least it isn’t just a giant box. I’m getting a lot more grizzly peak vibes. Which is a beautiful area in its own right and where I write this from. It would be nice if there was a bit more overt water though.

 

[Beacon Joe]

We all thought that maybe the upper half would get cut off. Instead its the lower half. It appears the upper half is still there, unless this is thrown together artwork and they didn't think about that. Could they still retain the riverboat in the upper half with the launch just on the other side of HM?

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Thanks for posting that image and now I can fully see what others marked as Building A in the comparison images. Weird all around.

 

[Kamikaze]

No, but this change turns the Magic Kingdom into a Universal park. Good riddance to this company. This boulder will tumbler further and further and will ultimately destroy aspects of these parks that are beloved by those here who are defending this atrocious decision.

I think you meant to reply from your other account.

 

[JohnD]

That could just be the canal. It's really hard to tell.

It's still the water and island to the right of Big Thunder. At least that's how it looks in the artwork.

 

[eddie104]

No, but this change turns the Magic Kingdom into a Universal park. Good riddance to this company. This boulder will tumbler further and further and will ultimately destroy aspects of these parks that are beloved by those here who are defending this atrocious decision.

Could you please calm down and catch your breath.

This decision is not the end of the world.

 

[PK2]

I don’t like this at all but I also don’t think it’s a decision they made lightly. As for the Liberty Belle, maybe it winds up docked on the fringes of Villains? That would be an interesting idea if done properly.

 

[networkpro]

Kind of ironic IMHO in removing a water feature in the Orlando area humid subtropical environment for a concrete desert, while retaining it in Anaheims' hot semi-arid climate. Maybe its to amplify the fantasy aspect of water where there is insufficient amounts of it and an artificial lack of it where there is plenty ? Or maybe its a case of "those budgets arent going to spend themselves" ?

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Honestly I’m surprised Tom Sawyer Island lasted as long as it did. Maybe Liberty Belle to Grand Floridian, Epcot area or something.

I've had discussions with my mom why a pirate boat to take you to your fancy Grand Floridian Resort. The Polynesian should have a Poly type boat. Can the Liberty Belle be the new transportation between Grand Floridian Resort and Magic Kingdom at least you can stay fancy than a tiny pirate boat.

 

[Beacon Joe]

I don't want to read too much into fuzzy blue sky concept art from D23, but

#SAVETHECAVES

 

[phillip9698]

Cars Rides Replacing Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has announced that the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom will replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, fully eliminating the waterway. This post shares details, concept art, and everything

www.disneytouristblog.com

Tom Bricker with a good take as always.

This block especially stands out

“Beyond that, instead of being singularly fixated on increasing capacity, I wish Walt Disney World would endeavor to eliminate stress. When it comes to this, there are the usual suspects–screen time, lines, ride breakdowns, etc. But another one is offering up lovely places to decompress that bring smiles to the faces of guests.

Some of those decision-makers should go inside one of the massive Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurants during the middle of the day and count all of the people not eating anything. Just sitting there with their heads on the tables or attempting to ‘rest and recharge’ in about the most chaotic environment possible. (Nothing says ‘recharging’ quite like the midday rush at Pinocchio Village Haus!)

I’m not kidding. One important goal should be getting these people out of the loud and unpleasant restaurants and into actual serene spaces that offer nice ambiance and actually will allow them to mentally refuel for a brief bit. Walt Disney World needs to understand that Magic Kingdom is a world-class theme park, and those two words have meanings beyond just the fanciest and most modern rides. There should be a concerted effort to not just keeping it a “park” but enhancing that angle. It may not be captured on guest satisfaction surveys, but it’s as big a part of what separates Disney from an average amusement park as the envelope-pushing attractions.”

This would hold more weight if people actually went to that island and chilled. They don’t. That place is a ghost town even during the most hectic peak seasons.

So Disney should create more spaces that people don’t go to for the extreme minority of folks who do visit those areas?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Even the concept art makes it clear none of these elements come together.

You can't just plop trees, pathways and water features wherever and have them create a cohesive whole.

That whole section of the park is built with the river in mind. The placement of buildings, what buildings are there, how the architecture flows, the vistas from various perspectives, all of this is being thrown out and the end result will not look good no matter what ornamentation is glued on.

This is The Magic Kingdom, not Disney Adventure World. Rides and settings were not chosen for whatever reason. You can't decouple and compartmentalize every square inch and ignore what infrastructure exists around it.

And now we lose a unique Tom Sawyer Island that's not the same as its counterparts, and a more relaxing, accessible ride in the form of the Riverboat for another thrill attraction with a height requirement that will have longer lines and won't necessarily appeal to the same audience.

 

[UNCgolf]

Regardless of anything else, that whole area of the MK is going to be hideous for a year or more while they're prepping and then building. Everywhere in Frontierland/Liberty Square will just be looking at a gigantic construction site.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Promoting brands is more important than celebrating America according to Disney and Bob Iger

Well…we don’t need to get into that here (not allowed to) so I will most definitely be leaving this here but…if that is their thinking, and to be clear I don’t think it is, then that isn’t really a bad read on the room at the moment.

 

[Haymarket2008]

I also find it odd that the big “Piston Peak” is just going to tower over the area immediately upon entering the left side of Liberty Square??

Might they keep part of the northern part of the river?

 

[DCLcruiser]

It's still the water and island to the right of Big Thunder. At least that's how it looks in the artwork.

I mean, I have really good eyesight, and I am using a high res laptop and I cannot discern much beyond trees and some foggy murkiness.

 

[Consumer]

Could you please calm down and catch your breath.

This decision is not the end of the world.

No, but it is the end of Disney World. Like New Orleans, Pittsburgh, New York, and every other major riverfront city, the water is the heart of the city. Remove the Mississippi, the Allegheny/Monongahela/Ohio, and the Hudson from those cities and all that remains is cement. Water is necessary for life, and cutting off the supply will kill the Magic Kingdom.

 

[RobbinsDad]

It's still the water and island to the right of Big Thunder. At least that's how it looks in the artwork.

If Villain land is beyond Big Thunder, I don't see the top half of ROA lasting either.

 

[Beacon Joe]

This would hold more weight if people actually went to that island and chilled. They don’t. That place is a ghost town even during the most hectic peak seasons.

If WDW actually ran the keel boats, it'd be easier to get over there. Maybe it was just my luck, but I think I managed to find them operating one day out of the past 4 visits.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Regardless of anything else, that whole area of the MK is going to be hideous for a year or more while they're prepping and then building. Everywhere in Frontierland/Liberty Square will just be looking at a gigantic construction site.

It'll look hideous after it's complete as well...

 

[Tayoboy]

@Tayoboy something funny?

Yeah, it just feels a bit hyperbolic. It might not be what we’re all expecting and Disney’s track record hasn’t been stellar but ultimately we wait and see what comes of it and judge it once it opens.