Magic Kingdom is about to undergo a MASSIVE transformation.
Rivers of America
First, the park is getting a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge, which is set to open in late 2025. Then there’s the new Villains land that we are ALL eagerly waiting to learn more about. An entire part of the park, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island, is set to be demolished to make way for a new Cars expansion that will expand Frontierland. Disney previously filed the first permit to begin the demolishment of that section of the park but recently had to request an extension for that permit.
In August 2024, Disney filed a permit for 407 Basin Stormwater Modifications. The summary of the project stated, “Construction of a stormwater management master treatment facility to provide stormwater quality treatment for improvements within Canal L407/L407A and L405 Basins within the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.” The project site is just east of Magic Kingdom.
Permit number 48-00714-P
Basically, that permit made it seem like Disney needs to build a treatment facility for stormwater drained from the area. Under Environmental Impacts, the permit read, “The project has 7.3 acres of surface water impacts to Rivers of America,” which leads us to believe this permit is for beginning work on the big Cars expansion in the park.
Permit number 48-00714-P
In September, the South Florida Water Management District requested additional information for the permit. An additional letter was sent on December 3rd, giving Disney 10 days to get that information and correct the permit to the district or the permit will be denied.
©South Florida Water Management District
The Central Florida Tourism District has responded with its own letter, requesting a 60-day extension for Disney to respond to the original request made in September.
©Central Florida Tourism District
Disney will likely not proceed with any construction until this permit has been approved and will need to file other permits for the actual demolition and construction work to take place in Magic Kingdom. Disney has not yet revealed an opening timeline for the new Cars expansion, nor for the Villains land expansion, and we might not see work actually beginning for either until mid or late 2025 until all permits are submitted and approved.
We’ll keep an eye out for more details, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
The ONE THING We HATE About the Magic Kingdom Expansion
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This is one of the most vile and disgusting things Disney has ever done. How anyone can support them now is disgusting. I cancelled my vacation for next year will not be going back.
We need to stop calling it an expansion because it is not. It is destruction of legacy attractions to make way for IP that does not fit the atmosphere of Frontierland. With the amount of land that Disney owns, it is unnecessary to destroy anything. I hope and pray the state denies this permit as well.
Just take the “L”, Disney! Nobody wanted Cars in Frontierland (simultaneously killing Liberty Square) and Tallahassee just gave you the perfect out. You can cancel the replacement, and blame it all on Rhonda Santis, without having to admit it was a stupid idea.