KA-CHOW! Get ready for CARS to zoom into Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom Entrance
In August 2024, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro made a surprising announcement at D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Okay… he actually dropped a TON of surprising announcements, and one of them is that Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is going to be expanded with a brand new area themed to Cars! And that, of course, begs the question: When will this new Cars section open?
Well, before the Cars land can open, there is obviously a LOT of work that needs to be done. And that work will begin SOON… You see, the area of the park that is now occupied by Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America (down which the Liberty Square Riverboats sails) has been designated for the Cars expansion.
©Disney
So, let’s cut to the (CAR) chase… No timeline has yet been presented for when the Cars expansion will open in Magic Kingdom. BUT, Disney has confirmed that work on the area will begin in early 2025. And, in fact, the first permits were filed in August 2024 to start the process.
Tom Sawyer Island
So, you’ll want to take that last raft ride over to Tom Sawyer Island or ride the Liberty Square Riverboat during this calendar year, if you can, to enjoy them while they’re still here. (Please be aware that an exact date has yet to be announced for the closure of these areas, but we’ll absolutely keep you posted.)
Now, you may be wondering HOW, exactly, does Cars thematically fit into Frontierland? Disney has shared that those lovable Cars — Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and more — are leaving Radiator Springs to explore the West and into new frontiers and that the new area will “put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland.”
Cars Area Concept Art ©Disney
D’Amaro further shared that “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a racecar from the big city.”
So, after the construction is completed, what will we as guests experience? The new area will deliver two NEW Cars attractions to the park! Get ready to race on a major attraction through the mountains on wild terrain along mountain trails as you dodge geysers and splash through mud holes. Here’s a closer look at some of the concept art for the new ride.
©Disney
Disney shared that the second ride will be geared toward “smaller racers” and will be fun for the whole family!
©Disney
But until then, you know what that means… prepare yourselves for PLENTY of construction walls in Magic Kingdom. But while construction walls may indeed be unsightly, something beautiful is also coming to Magic Kingdom in the meantime. The summer of 2025 will see the debut of a NEW nighttime parade for the park: Disney Starlight! Disney Starlight — which was also announced at the 2024 D23 event — will be “using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love.”
“Disney Starlight”
©Disney
Disney Starlight follows in the footsteps of previous iconic nighttime spectaculars like the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic. In the announcement, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared that, “Disney Starlight will add to that legacy” of these beloved nighttime parades.
And nope, that’s not all the news that came out of D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event… it’s not even close. (I mean, have you heard about VILLAINS LAND?!?) So if you’d love to hear the rest of it, please check out our DFBGuide YouTube video below!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Are you excited about Cars coming to Magic Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
If Josh D’amaro can be believed, he said everything he’d talked about would be finished in 5 years time. 2029, or perhaps 2030 to allow for unforeseen delays. I think Disney execs have learned they can’t keep crying “Wolf!” and have any credibility with the fans. So I think most of the things they have promised with come to fruition. At least I hope!