Have you been keeping up with all the announcements of things to come to Disney World in the near future??
If you have, you’ve probably probably heard the massive transformation they’re planning for Magic Kingdom. In typical Disney fashion, they’re planning big with new lands, new attractions, and fresh experiences for the next generation of Disney fans. On the face of it, all of these things sound amazing, right? Well, not everyone thinks so. Let’s talk about it!
As we were saying, there’s a TON that’ll be coming to Magic Kingdom like a new nighttime parade and two whole new lands — a Cars Land and a Villains Land!!
Now, while we can’t wait to tromp about these new spaces and enjoy all they have to offer, these announcements have definitely sparked some serious debates among Disney lovers.
On one side, we’ve got the group of fans who are pumped for the changes, and they’re hyping themselves up for the new rides and lands. But on the flip side, some longtime Disney fans are absolutely heartbroken about what they’ll have to give up — specifically, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America.
It’s nostalgia vs. new standoff, and it’s absolutely got the fandom split.
The Excitement for the New
Let’s start with the folks who are ready and raring to embrace the future. For them, Disney has a solid track record for creating immersive new lands that make guests feel like they’ve stepped straight into the movies they love. They’re referencing the mind-blowing detail of Galaxy’s Edge and the enchantment of Pandora — The World of Avatar. You can see why they’re imagining a Cars Land where you can race with your favorite Cars characters, and a Villains Land where you finally get to meet the baddies in a dark and thrilling atmosphere.
These are the people who can’t wait and are speculating how Disney will use next-level technology to create new jaw-dropping attractions for these lands. So, all in all, for them, these announcements have been a dream come true. At the same time, however, they may have some fond memories of Tom Sawyer Island, but they’re all about trading that nostalgia for something brand new straight from the minds of Imagineers.
The Nostalgia for the Old
As we said, there’s another side to this — all the fans who are devastated about what Disney is choosing to leave behind. For many of them, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are irreplaceable pieces of Disney history. These aren’t just attractions, they’re memories. The slower pace of these areas offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park, and to some, losing them feels like a betrayal of Disney’s roots.
These fans feel like Disney could have easily built the new attractions somewhere else — maybe in another part of the park or, better yet, in a fifth park altogether. They feel that there’s plenty of space around Disney World, so why get rid of beloved classics? For them, the idea of losing these slower, more peaceful areas in favor of another high-energy land feels like the park is losing some of its unique charm.
A Divided Fandom
Like we said, if nothing else, these announcements has definitely left the Disney fan community divided. While some are eagerly counting down the days to run around the new Cars and Villains Lands, we’ve got others who are mourning the loss of some simpler and more nostalgic parts of the park. Ultimately it’s the battle of out with the old, and in with the new.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Are you ready for the new lands, or are you holding onto the magic of the older ones? Sound off in the comments below!
And keep following us here at Disney Food Blog, where we will continue to monitor any news about the construction that will happen in Magic Kingdom.
Cars Land Will Bring A New Shortcut To Magic Kingdom…And We LOVE IT!
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What are your thoughts on everything coming to Magic Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment!
Monica says
I was excited about the changes but didn’t realize they meant losing these classics. For someone like myself who has taken my elderly grandmother who had Parkinson’s before she passed, and now two young kids, this was a nice reprieve from the stimulation of the rest of the park. Really wish they had thought to build this out elsewhere. It’s definitely dampened my excitement a bit.
Sherry Sweet says
I think they can build the new elsewhere . They have the land. I wonder if they are getting rid of Tom Sawyer Island for woke reasons. Will the Hall of Presidents be next? We have been to WDW 5 times in the last 8 years, but this move makes it unlikely I will want to return.
Carrie says
I’m a long time WDW Fanatic! It kills me to see them removing the iconic parts of the park to have new attractions. Though, I am extremely excited about Villains Land, I hate we had to give up a classic. I agree, tons of space to make a new park or add on. Disney needs to stop erasing the HISTORY!
Stuart Wallace says
I have never forgiven Disney for cancelling Spectromagic. It was by far the best night time parade they ever had. I am sorry to say that for me and many other former Disney Bonkers visitors, Disney has lost much of the magic it previously had. This coupled with huge increases in prices following the reopening after Covid. There is little wonder that sadly it has ben overtaken by Universal Studios as the place to visit when in Florida.
Pete says
I believe that Disney has lost sight of their roots and it is affecting the whole experience at all of the parks.
Attendance is down , prices are up and all of the newest offering in terms of attractions and hotels seem to be cheaply done and do not measure up to the quality of the older existing offerings.
I believe that the new Universal is going to hurt Disney badly , especially if Disney doesn’t start to treat their guests better and stop insulting us with this low quality crap that they have been offering lately.
The place has gotten dirty and some of their policies are just weird .
Clean the place up , leave the legacy attractions alone and for god sakes get the politics out of your theme parks.
And while they are at it they can bring the pricing back down to a level that matches what they deliver .
I am a big Disney fan and hate to see them slip but at this point they are taking advantage of the guests .
Mickey says
The loss of Tom Sawyer’s Island is painful. I just brought my 5 and 7 year old there this year and they absolutely loved it. It’s also always been a good place to to take a break and watch the RIVERBOAT GO BY. They are making a terrible mistake.
Joyce says
This iconic waterway is not just a beloved feature of Walt Disney World; it is a vital part of the park’s ecosystem. You speak of the new generation of Disney fans – if they are the younger generation – they should be in favor of keeping nature in Magic Kingdom. There is enough pavement, and certainly enough rides with long lines. Why not add to Tom Sawyer’s Island with fun adventures without rides? Bridges and walkways up in the trees. Pirate scavenger hunts. Slides and climbing to be enjoyed by all. How about a relaxing open-air lounge with rocking chairs along the rivers edge? Serving cold alcohol and non-alcohol drinks while relaxing, will bring everyone’s body heat down! How about adding character meet & greets (especially Tiana) to the Liberty Belle Riverboat? Take a quiet river boat ride and meet some of the princesses or Chip & Dale – to name a few.
Maybe Cars would be a fun and exciting ride – but put it somewhere new! Imagineers must use their imagination to add to Walt Disney’s magic – not destroy it!
Nikki Rice says
Rivers of America Riverboat Ride is always a go to attraction on every visit and I will be sad to see it go – especially when there is ample space to have this somewhere else on Disney property 🙁
Christian Magee says
I see two large problems with this plan.
1. I feel like Disney is whitewashing history and removing Americana. This fuels the idea that Disney doesn’t believe that America is a great country.
2. If I remodeled my home and don’t increase the square footage, I have not expanded or increased the value. We are tired of Disney retheaming and calling it an expansion.
Danyelle Letendre says
I’m still deeply disappointed that Disney didn’t build a Harry Potter park, and now disappointed Tom Sawyers Island will be replaced. It’s always been a nice place to cool off and slow down for a bit. Always wanted Disney to incorporate a fun wood and rope bridge to the island from the haunted mansion side, as an alternative to the rafts.
Callie7 says
I’m still deeply disappointed that Disney didn’t build a Harry Potter park, and now disappointed Tom Sawyers Island will be replaced. It’s always been a nice place to cool off and slow down for a bit. Always wanted Disney to incorporate a fun wood and rope bridge to the island from the haunted mansion side, as an alternative to the rafts.