Walt Disney World has unveiled an expansion of Magic Kingdom in Florida, introducing a new area with a theme from the movie Cars.
“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,” Michael Hundgen, a Walt Disney World portfolio executive producer, said in a statement.
“Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so 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,” he added.
Plans for the new part of Magic Kingdom include a rally race traveling through mountains and trails, and an attraction yet to be detailed that was described as being for the whole family.
The updated Magic Kingdom is also expected to feature a separate area dedicated to villains from Disney films.
Combined, the expansion represents the largest in Walt Disney World history, according to Disney.
Magic Kingdom, a theme park, opened in 1971 and sits on about 100 acres in Florida, southwest of Orlando.
To make room for the new attractions, Disney is going to demolish Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, the company said.
Rivers of America was one of Magic Kingdom’s initial attractions. Guests can enjoy the water surrounding the island on a Colonial-era riverboat.
Tom Sawyer Island was introduced in 1973. Inspired by characters and places from the books of Mark Twain, it includes a fort and trails.
It’s not clear at this time when Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will close. Disney said work on the expansion will start in 2025.
“Guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today,” Disney said.
Some Disney fans online lamented the loss of the decades-old attractions.
“Frontierland without the Rivers of America is not Frontierland. This is such an incredible loss for Magic Kingdom,” one user on the social media platform X said.
“They really are just completely axing rivers of America and Tom Sawyer island. This…. Feels like a major mistake. One they will regret for many decades to come,” another wrote.
Several online petitions have been launched asking Disney to keep the attractions in place, calling them “serene locales” that “enrich Magic Kingdom’s environment.”
Others, though, said the announced changes are welcome.
“I didn’t really care much about Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island and am ok with the Cars replacement,” another user said.
Disney declined to comment.
