ByBlake Taylor
Two attractions themed to Pixar’s “Cars” will replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom.
‘Cars’ coming to Magic Kingdom
Kachow! Guests at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World will encounter new frontiers when two “Cars” attractions open in the Orlando park’s Frontierland, replacing Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America.
Disney announced the “Cars” attractions for Magic Kingdom during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Aug. 10, 2024. Two days later, the company confirmed the location of the rides and the permanent closure of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America.
What is Disney building at Magic Kingdom?
The “Cars” replacement of Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom will comprise two rides:
One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers, and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes.
But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.
Chris Beatty, portfolio executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering
The “Cars” rides will open at Magic Kingdom in addition to Villains Land, which Disney also announced at D23. Disney will build Villains Land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” in an area of currently undeveloped land. Villains Land contain two unannounced attractions. Together, the “Cars” attractions and Villains Land represent Magic Kingdom’s largest construction project since the park opened in 1971.
Frontierland and its surrounding area has been a busy part of the park lately. In summer 2024, the land welcomed both Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (the log flume replacement of Splash Mountain themed to “The Princess and the Frog”) and the revamped Country Bear Musical Jamboree (now with Disney songs) to its roster of attractions.
So, is Disney building Cars Land in Florida?
No. The “Cars” attractions coming to Magic Kingdom will not be the same as what currently exists in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. Whereas Cars Land depicts Radiator Springs — complete with Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters — the new Magic Kingdom project will depict the new frontiers outside of Radiator Springs’ town lines.
We’ll allow Mater and Josh D’Amaro (chairman of Disney Experiences) to explain further:
What’s closing to make way for the new ‘Cars’ rides at Magic Kingdom?
Tom Sawyer Island and its surrounding Rivers of America (along with the Liberty Belle Riverboat gliding along the river) will permanently close at Magic Kingdom as Disney builds the new “Cars” attractions.
Tom Sawyer Island — with its wooded pathways, winding caves, and semi-hidden play structures meant to be discovered rather than planned for — embodies the youthful spirit of its titular character from Mark Twain’s books. The island itself has been in place since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, though it was not accessible to guests until 1973.
The Liberty Belle Riverboat likewise opened in 1973, initially called the Richard F. Irvine Riverboat after a Disney executive. The slow-moving paddle wheeler glides along a hidden track around Tom Sawyer Island. In 2009, the boat was utilized as a mobile stage for the temporary “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” production.
“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,” said Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World portfolio executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests.”
Tom Sawyer Island also exists at Disneyland in California, with no plans of closing there. The west coast version of the attraction features a permanent “Pirates of the Caribbean” overlay on top of the Tom Sawyer theming, along with its own circling riverboat plus the Sailing Ship Columbia. The island also serves double duty as the stage for Disneyland’s version of “Fantasmic!”
When will Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America close?
“Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025,” Imagineer Chris Beatty said when the “Cars” attractions were first announced.
Disney has not announced a specific closing date for Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, nor has the company revealed an opening timeframe for the “Cars” rides at Magic Kingdom.
How will the new ‘Cars’ rides will fit within Magic Kingdom?
Using the concept art and aerial photography by bioreconstruct, we can get an idea of how Disney might situate the “Cars” attractions within Frontierland in contrast to what we’re used to with Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. In the photo below from 2019, Fantasyland and Haunted Mansion are at left; Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are at center; and the undeveloped future home of Villains Land is at the bottom.
Now let’s compare this to Disney’s concept artwork for the “Cars” rides coming to Magic Kingdom.
In the image below, at left are Country Bear Musical Jamboree and Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Café. It seems this existing thoroughfare of Frontierland will remain in tact, with newly planted trees separating it from the “Cars” attractions.
Zooming in on Disney’s concept art, the structure pictured below appears to be in the same spot as what is currently the dock where guests board and depart from the Liberty Belle Riverboat.
A new pathway will connect Liberty Square (which would be located out of frame at the bottom of the image below) to the park’s new “Cars” attractions.
Also nearby, but seemingly unaffected, is Haunted Mansion. The attraction’s queue is located just out of frame to the right in the image below.
The new pathway from Liberty Square will continue toward the promenade near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. A jutting pathway from this point will assumedly lead to Villains Land.
‘Cars’ in Disney theme parks
The “Cars” project at Magic Kingdom is far from Imagineering’s first experience with the Pixar franchise. Disney has built many “Cars” attractions over the years. Most significant among them is Cars Land, which opened in 2012 as the anchor of a multi-year transformation of Disney California Adventure. The signature attraction of Cars Land is Radiator Springs Racers.
In 2019, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. Throughout the small-scale show, McQueen teachers audience members how to be a real racer.
Walt Disney World also offers “Cars”-themed suites as part of its Art of Animation Resort, complete with a mini-Radiator Springs of its own.
Lightning McQueen formerly appeared in the now-defunct “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show closed in 2016 to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be renamed Disney Adventure World) at Disneyland Paris features Cars Road Trip, a revamp of what was formerly that park’s Backlot Tour attraction with Catastrophe Canyon.
More Attractions Magazine stories:
D23 2024
Frontierland’s makeover
Cars
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Whether you’re ready for your next Disney Destinations vacation or your first, our trusted partner Mouse Fan Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable Disney vacations. Visit Mouse Fan Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
