Some BIG things are in store for Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Although we’re still waiting to get more word on the new Villains land Disney has announced for the park, we’re already starting to see progress on the big Cars expansion that’s coming to Frontierland.
Cars Area Concept Art ©Disney
Disney has already filed permits regarding stormwater management for the Cars expansion area, which will take over Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Now, a new permit has been filed to set up trailer complex that will probably serve as offices for the project.
Disney has filed a new permit with Orange County, Florida to “install trailers” at 5055 CaribbeanWay, Area MK, which would put those trailers somewhere in a backstage area in Frontierland behind Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. This suggests that these trailers will serve as office space for the project once construction begins.
©Orange County, Florida
The contractor mentioned in the permit is McGrath Rentcorp, a company that rents and sells modular buildings, storage containers, and offices. This is just another step in the process that Disney is taking before construction begins in the area. However, it seems like the project is moving right along.
The new Cars expansion will bring two new rides to the park. One of the new rides will have you racing through the mountains of Frontierland dodging geysers and splashing through mud holes in a race to the finish line. Disney has started testing out the ride concept in another location.
@Disney
The other ride will be geared towards younger Cars fans. Disney hasn’t shared many details on that ride yet, but we’re keeping an eye out for more information.
This does mean that it might not be long before you’ll encounter construction walls in Magic Kingdom, as well as see construction during your next trip. You might want to plan accordingly.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
Everything That Has to Permanently Close to Make Way for the ‘Cars’ Expansion in Disney World
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!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Can we please stop calling this an expansion? This is a replacement and one of the worst decisions Disney has made in my lifetime.
This is beyond idiotic. Destroying one of the most beautiful parts of the park that Walt specifically designed to add an ATV ride that mimics trashing the Frontierland landscape. While Universal is rolling out the jaw dropping Epic Universe. At this point Disney is intentionally flipping off its long time fans for what? Erasing American history one dumb ride at a time? Good luck with that Iger. Congratulations on destroying history’s greatest ever family entertainment enterprise.
What a disaster. If they remove the Rivers of America I most likely will rarely if ever return to WDW. I took my children every 2 years as they were growing up and expected to do the same with my grandchildren, but so much has changed for the worse.
I went with my daughter and her three children 2 years ago and her overall feeling about the parks then and now….”it breaks my heart”.
This is crap and one of, if not THE biggest mistake they’ve ever made at the magic Kingdom. We are all done with the Josh and Bob show.
I shudder to think what will come. Disneys tract record on new rides has not been a rousing success, but who knows. Plan for the worst and expect the best…lol…
Definitely NOT what people want in Magic Kingdom. I think removing the water there will be a much bigger deal than people realize. Hollywood Studios would be a much better fit for this attraction.
I hope Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America is Still open in June when my Trip is. It’s one of the things I’m really looking forward to.
This is unbelievable. I have been going to Magic Kingdom since 1972. If this happens, I will never return. Poor Walt. How humiliating. WHO is in charge?
This is not an expansion, it’s a destruction!
This is the worst idea ever. Plow over a peaceful, enjoyable section of the park for a replica of the horrible Toy Story land in Hollywood Studios, is a bad idea. I thought we had “the blessings of size”? Put the Cars ride somewhere else. They ruined EPCOT, now they are going for MK. I don’t disagree with all of their plans. I look forward to Villians land and the revamp of dinoland USA. But certainly not this.
That area with the water, riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island was a beautiful relaxing area. I loved the shaded areas and some benches. I loved taking my children to Tom Sawyer Island and looked forward to taking the grandchildren. But, beauty, relaxation and history does not matter to a company that has shown their only goal is : how do we monetize every square inch of our land?
I am sure Bob and Josh crunched some numbers and something big jumped out at them. There were not that many people using the area and more importantly; no extra revenues from souvenirs! Now they can tear all of the old down, build a couple rides under a theme that really does not fit the area and maybe bring in some more people to the park. But the big thing is they will be pushing every type of cheap Chinese made “ Cars” souvenirs that cost a couple dollars to make and they sell for $25-$45. That is where the real money will be.
Bob Iger is trying very hard to take Walt Disney out of the Walt Disney Company. He wants to re-imagine it as Bob Iger World and Igerland. It’s sad to see how the parks have been destroyed attraction by attraction, perk by perk over the last decade. I guess the board will step in and stop this when the revenue drops to all-time lows. The sad part is, even if they did it now, it’s too late. So many things are gone that we will never get back.
I’m very sad to see my family’s happy place turned into what it is today. I was a diehard Disney fan going to Disney World at least once a year, if not more often. Now it makes me ill to think about the cash grabs and substandard attractions. Just as well go to the local fair. It’s got as much creativity, if not more.
Very much against Cars in Magic Kingdom. It belongs in Hollywood Studios. Also against them doing away with the Rivers of America and the boat ride. Seems like they could find a repurpose for Tom Sawyer Island. Sadly, Disney execs don’t seem to care about the feelings of loyal, longtime guests or the damage they’re doing to beloved parks and Walt’s vision. Mostly, I’m disappointed at how many years this construction will take and its effect on our Disney experience, especially as they’re taking so many rides away yet charging us more to buy a ticket!
Time moves on. Walt even said it himself that the park needs to constant evolve. People are just old and cranky. I can attest that Cars land in California Adventure is the best part of that park, and I’m not really a Cars guy. But, change is hard for those who pine for nostalgia.
Jess,
Exactly.
Cars Land is in California Adventure and Cars Land would be great in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, but not replacing Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom.
Exactly like in California, put it in a place where no one can even remember what it replaced.