D23 just wrapped up this past weekend, and there was so much news that dropped!
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
We are still recovering from the weekend, and all that took place at D23. While new movies and shows were announced and new Disney Legends were inducted, arguably some of the most exciting news came from the Disney Parks Panel, where Josh D’amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, made several announcements about the future of the parks. While some of these announcements are exciting, some fans are mourning what will be lost to these new projects.
Announcements were made about the DinoLand, U.S.A. re-theme, along with the new show coming to the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. It was also announced that Hollywood Studios would be getting a new Monsters INC.-themed land. While this has been expected for quite some time, we finally learned what will lie “Beyond Big Thunder.” Another project was announced for Magic Kingdom, and some fans are not too happy about what it is replacing.
Monsters, Inc roller coaster
At D23, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom would get its own unique version of Cars Land. Currently, at Disney California Adventure, you can step into Radiator Springs in Cars Land. While the Magic Kingdom version will use the Cars IP (Intellectual Property), this new land will be different from its California counterpart and even have two new attractions.
At first, it was not announced at D23 where this new land would go, as many assumed it would be part of what lies “Beyond Big Thunder,” but after D23, it was confirmed that the new Cars area would be taking over the Rivers of America as well as Tom Sawyer’s Island.
©Disney
Fans are not too happy about losing this peaceful part of the park and are worried that this new land could interfere with Frontierland’s storyline. We asked you, our awesome readers on both Instagram and Facebook, what you all thought about this major Magic Kingdom change.
Cars is coming to Magic Kingdom! ©Disney
One reader pointed out how this project is going to change the park’s landscape and said, “That area (Tom Sawyer’s Island) added a lot to the park, not just in nostalgia and theme but also having the river there as a water feature. Now we’ve got more pavement being added. So much green space has already been taken away.”
Tom Sawyer Island
Another reader said that they are going to miss having a quiet spot to visit. Other readers have pointed out that the story of Frontierland is going to be lost as one reader said, “I mean, it’s not really the best place for it. I feel like over by Big Thunder Mountain would be a more suitable location. It’s gonna make the queue for Haunted Mansion noisy. I like the tranquility of the river while waiting in line.” Another reader joked and said, “When I think of Frontierland or just about the frontier in general, the number one thing I think of is … Cars.”
Tom Sawyer Island
While Magic Kingdom is being expanded with Villains Land behind Big Thunder Mountain, one reader pointed out that “the problem is they aren’t really adding when they get rid of existing things to make new things.” Others talked about how they are sad about the closures of attractions currently offered here as one reader said, “The Riverboat became my husband’s favorite Magic Kingdom attraction when Mr. Toad left.”
Views from Tom Sawyer Island
While some are sad about the change, others are welcoming it! One reader said, “It’s sad to see an original area disappear, but progress waits for no one. Cars is going to be great!” Also sharing enthusiasm, a reader agreed and said, “I’m more than cool with it. I love Cars Land in Disneyland, so I’m definitely excited to see what they’ll do with Disney World!”
Cars Land in Disneyland
Over on Instagram, we also created a little poll to gauge people’s thoughts on this big news. Out of 6,898 responses, 37% of fans were a little confused by Disney’s decision.
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While we do have quite a bit of information for this new area, such as location, concept art, and some information on one of the rides, it is unclear when construction will start and when this new area will be open. So many new projects were announced at D23 that it will be interesting to see when we will get a construction timeline and what will close while we wait for these new experiences to be built.
Map of where the new Cars area will be
As always, stay tuned to Disney Food Blog as we will continue to monitor any new updates about these projects, and we will keep an eye out for any construction permits.
First Permit Filed for Construction on Tom Sawyer’s Island
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I like the new area additions, however I don’t like the placement for Cars. Disney has only added more and more people. Expansion is overly needed to space people out more. This isn’t expansion though. It’s wiping out an iconic part of park history and only going to create more noise/traffic/congestion while temoving more green/natural space that set the parks aside from all the rest. Dissapointing.
Yet again Disney cheaps out on a project to “satisfy” a need without planning for the future. They missed a perfect opportunity to build a 5th villains park somewhere close to Animal Kingdom which would create more interest and traffic towards this remote area AND justify more hotels in the area.
From everything I’ve seen it looks like way more than 37% of people are upset by this. I’ve only seen a few people in support of removing the ROA and TSI and adding Cars. This will change the whole feel of the area. I wish they would reconsider. I’m all for Cars just not there.
AJ, I think the placement of Cars Land is great. Although I will miss the Riverboat ride, I always felt that Tom Sayers Island was never really developed. It was a quiet escape from the hectic, but there could have been much more theming. I am so psyched about all the new additions. Keep up the great work AJ.
I’ve been visiting Disney Parks my whole life, and I can’t tell you when was the last time I went to Tom Sawyer Island or went for a ride on the riverboat. Though I don’t really have any love for the Cars franchise, I understand not everything’s meant for me (and there will be a TON of kids excited about it once it opens).
It was never Walt’s intention for the park to grow stale. It’s wonderful to still have a few attractions with his fingerprints on them (like Carousel, Peter Pan, Small World, etc), but there’s so much IP for the company to draw from now, I’m sure he’d design it completely differently today.
Tell me which expansion in the past 2m years has been over the top and the right place at the right time. I just do not know where Disney’s head is at. Cars in Frontierland does not work, a paddlewheeler and Tom Sawyer and Marceline do work. A piece of Americana from Walt’s original dream.
If you examine the concept art carefully, you can see that rocks and trees block the view from Tiana’s and Country Bear Jamboree. Probably from Liberty Square as well, though that part of the picture isn’t as clear. And if you look to the right of Big Thunder there appears to be a small lake. There also appear to be geysers sprinkled throughout the land. So while it will be different there still will be green space. There actually looks like there’s more trees than there are now.
Honestly cars land would e better situated in Hollywood Studios or Epcot. It doesn’t really fit in Magic Kingdom.
Disney is learning more and more each day from Universal Studios. First charging for “FastPass” now cleaning out old attractions to build movie only related (IP) areas. Well, it could be for the target market, most Disney goers, under 40 or 50 would say “Who is Tom Sawyer and what is a Mark Twain?” Glad I got to see the best years of the Disney company.
I’m a Disneyland girl. Just don’t mess up that park!!! Cars is NOT a MK or Disneyland Park type IP. They are really messing up the theming with this one.
I am so very disappointed in hearing this. The riverboat is one of the few rides my severely disabled daughter can go on, besides the train and a few others. She was a Wish Child in 2009, and we loved being able to ride the riverboat to just sit and chill. I know I’mprobably in the Minority, but sometimes “Progress” is not as cracked up as it’s supposed to be.
Have we found out yet that Monsters is going kill Muppets 3D?
I don’t blame them doing something else with Tom Sawyer island; I just wish it wasn’t Cars. Is Cars even that big a thing anymore?
So they are going to pave over Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Liberty Belle. A respite from the hustle of the park. Why should I plan an expensive trip for my family to go to a park that has lost its distinctive personality.