Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed exciting new details about what’s coming to Walt Disney World. Speaking at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Josh shared that in addition to getting up close and personal with monsters and villains, soon you will be able to explore unchartered territory of the great outdoors with an expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars.”
To make way for this new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be closed and 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,” shared Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire 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.”
The new area will bring a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains, climbing trails, and dodging geysers. A second attraction will be geared towards smaller racers and will be fun for the whole family.
Guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today before work begins in high gear in 2025.
And if that wasn’t exciting enough, guests will soon be able to venture beyond Big Thunder Mountain into an all-new land dedicated to Disney Villains. Inspired by the wicked characters fans know and despise, this multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Creative boundaries are being pushed by Walt Disney Imagineering to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-a-kind land to life.
These new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history.
Will you miss Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom?