Disney is moving quickly.
©Disney
This past weekend, Disney hosted the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. During the Horizons showcase, Disney dropped a ton of news relating to their theme parks. Two of the biggest announcements came in the form of Cars and Villains lands coming to the Magic Kingdom. Now just days later, Disney is already putting the wheels in motion.
Just days after the initial announcement, Disney has confirmed where the new Villains and Cars expansions will be built at the Magic Kingdom. The former will take up the massive expansion pad that Disney has previously referred to as “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” while the latter will somewhat controversially replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, which have been a core part of the park since its 1971 opening.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Construction permits are being filed this week, Disney World said, and work will get into “high gear next year,” leaving time to “experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today,” the release reads.”
©Disney
These won’t be the first permits filed for the Magic Kingdom’s massive expansion. Earlier this year, we heard Disney had filed permits to work on storm drainage and other foundational work, a “small but CRUCIAL step” for massive construction of this magnitude. In addition, a large area directly north of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom that was previously labeled as “considered unavailable for development,” had it’s designation changed to “Marginally Unsuitable“ meaning that “development is permitted to the extent allowable under the District’s long-term permits.
Cars is coming to Magic Kingdom! ©Disney
Disney described the decision to replace an iconic part of the park as such. “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.”
Map of where the new Cars area will be
Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World portfolio executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering added in the press release, “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
With construction permits already filed, it seems that work is moving quickly on the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Stay tuned to DFB for further updates as construction kicks into high gear.
CONFIRMED: Location Revealed for NEW Villains Land Coming to Magic Kingdom
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They are clearly scrambling to meet up with Universal’s new park and IMO creating havoc on the core values of the Magic Kingdom. Walt is turning over in his grave!
Sigh…no more Rivers of America or Tom Sawyers Island. How can it even be the Magic Kingdom without the Riverboat. We’ve been vacationing at WDW since 1979 and Disneyland since 1958. Doing away with so many originals changes the feeling of the Park forever. I’m in favor of Cars behind Frontierland, but not Villians, although we might be in the minority. I’d love to have just one visit without construction somewhere. Still magical, but it’s beginning to feel more like an amusement park.
Terrible idea. Put Cars outside the current MK to add space to the park…not take away the heart of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Also, having Cars next to Haunted Mansion? Makes no sense.
Firstly, I’m a traditionalist with the parks and have been visiting WDW since the 1970s. I believe in respecting the past and in exercising extreme caution with original attractions. However, I’m also smart enough to realize that probably less then 0.1% of guests raft over and visit Tom Sawyer Island or take a ride on the Rivers of America. Everyone screaming about this announcement needs to fairly ask themselves how often in the last 10 years that they’ve visited the island. I’ve been visiting annually for nearly 50 years and I’m confident in saying that I’ve visited the island once in the past 20.
The island is an operating expense and requires cast members and maintenance. There is no business in the world whether an entertainment venue or a retailer who isn’t going to pull the plug on something that the public has no interest in. Society caused this change, not Disney. How many kids actually even know the story of Tom Sawyer? How many people under then age of 40 could quickly answer the question as to who authored the book? I recall the fun as a child in exploring the caves. Kids today are different. The thrill of the island is no longer enough.
Everyone yells for new investment and bolder attractions, yet has a canary if anything existing is touched. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer island will still exist at Walt’s park in Anaheim. I will greatly miss the ambiance and peace that the water brings in that area of the park with Liberty Square and Frontierland not feeling the same, but let’s be honest everyone, few if any of you actually visit Tom Sawyer Island.
I’m happy with this decision. I don’t have as much love for the riverboat as I do other attractions, and I’m all about keeping the parks from growing stale. Also, how much more foot traffic will opening up that space allow? The Magic Kingdom will have more capacity, more rides, more restaurants, more character meet and greets… what’s not to like folks?
Living so close to Disneyland in Anaheim MK has never been my favorite park, no feelings towards it. Now there for sure never will be with the removal of the riverboat and tom sawyer island. I will still visit for the attractions, but it is just a theme park now, cramming as much as they can in there as not to “waste” space. the space which many hold nostalgic. Very sad indeed.
The expansion plans for the MK are unacceptable for several reasons!!! By ripping out both the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, Diz will be depriving Frontierland of its charm and ambiance! Until now, thus area gave guests a chance to relax and unwind. very identity, for the theming of the new car ride is utterly incompatible, since CARS DID NOT EXIST ON THE WILD WEST! How could WDI not realize this? A far more appropriate place for the Cars ride is in Tomorrowland, which has had one since 1971- the Speedway! It badly needs updating. The Cars ride could sI mply take its place. If more space is needed, there are several acres of forest on the North side of Tron. Bridges would take the vehicles over the the Railroad tracks. As for Villainsland, WDI should utilize the nearly eight acres of forest lying North of Fantasyland! There is no reason to build along the River!!