Disney Unveils New Frontierland Concept Art, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island Replaced with Cars-themed Land

Aug 12, 2024 in "Cars Land Magic Kingdom"

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Frontierland Concept Art Aerial View

Posted: Monday August 12, 2024 9:08am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has taken the wraps off its massive new Magic Kingdom development and revealed new concept art depicting the new Cars-themed area, and confirmed that Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will be removed.

Frontierland Concept Art Aerial View

While confirming that Cars will be built directly in place of Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, no closing date has yet be announced, but Disney says, "Guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today."

Speaking about the new area, Disney says, "Soon, you'll be able to explore the uncharted territory of the great outdoors with an expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios' "Cars." 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."

Overhead map showing how the new concept art relates to the current Frontierland. @Coaster Lover

Cars Concept Art

"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."

Disney says the new area will bring you along for the ride 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.

Cars Concept Art

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.

Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island

Tom Sawyer Island, inspired by Mark Twain's classic tales, has been a beloved part of Magic Kingdom since its opening in 1973. It offers guests a chance to explore caves, trails, and forts reminiscent of the American frontier. The Liberty Square Riverboat, a nostalgic paddlewheeler that has been operating since 1973, takes guests on a scenic journey around the Rivers of America, offering views of Frontierland, Liberty Square.

Also announced at D23 this past weekend, 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. Together, these new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history.

Disney World's Cars Ride: Is a Trackless All-Terrain Ride System in the Works?

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DisneyHead1234 hours ago

I wish they had just gone with Coco’s Village, which I’ve inferred was the likely choice until potentially the day of the D23 announcement. I don’t mean to harp on this endlessly because I really enjoy the parks and think Disney is doing a lot of great things there, I’m just sooo bummed by this decision. I think it was primarily a cost cutting measure and unfortunately I think that will come across in the final product.

Rhinocerous13 hours ago

That makes sense. Otherwise, it would be projecting on the ride vehicles, which would be distracting to guests and give away the gag.

RSoxNo114 hours ago

I haven't experienced it in person, but it appears to be a reasonable solution. What's interesting is that if one of the vehicles in the chain is removed, the projections have a circular gap where that vehicle should be.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Rise is also blessed with a setting that's supposed to have kind of a huge warehouse feel. Most of the Imperial/First Order stuff in the films is giant open hallways etc.

andre851 day ago

I'd say Rise does a great job of this (even if it's not my favorite ride). The tech was perfect for that ride experience and theme.

MistaDee1 day ago

Haven't had the pleasure of riding it first-hand, but I'm curious if floor projections were convincing enough to mitigate this. I feel like trackless rides should try to design around the warehouse feeling and minimize the amount of wide open spaces like Mystic Manor does

RSoxNo11 day ago

Wasn't Beauty and the Beast in Tokyo one of the first to correct this with projections on the floor?

ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ1 day ago

Shame it's Piston Peak. They could almost get an IP twofer by naming the ride "Race to Wrench Mountain"

Nickm20221 day ago

While I don't disagree I am curious do we think there's any possibility adding a pathway here between Tianas (past Thunder and under the RR) to Villains), as we know Disney is trying to not have dead ends in the park and personally I think they should to help with congestion

ToTBellHop1 day ago

It’s a prime location for a mountain.

SplashJacket2 days ago

Depends on what you consider major attractions and "on all sides". 7DMT, Matterhorn, Disneyland, Grizzly River Run, and Disneyland's buzz come immediately to mind. The location is definitely a limitation, but I think there's an erroneous viewpoint in there. When speedway goes, it's likely in a larger development that encompasses Stitch, Cosmic Rays, and the Speedway.

Casper Gutman2 days ago

Yup. Are Spaceship Earth and MMRR the only major attractions with guest areas on all sides? The placement of Tron was shockingly short-sighted.

UNCgolf2 days ago

I think it's incredibly unlikely they construct a large building there for several reasons -- for one, almost all of a building would be visible from inside the park/on stage thanks to TRON's placement, so either they'd have to theme the entire building or there'd be significantly more backstage intrusion. The PeopleMover is also in the way for some of the footprint.