After decades as a staple of Magic Kingdom Park, a major section of Frontierland is set to disappear. Walt Disney Imagineering has officially revealed more details about one of two Cars (2006) attractions that will replace the iconic Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America.
Saying Farewell to Tom Sawyer Island
Disney first announced plans to remove Tom Sawyer Island and fill in the Rivers of America during the 2024 D23 Expo. Now, the vision for Frontierland’s future is becoming clearer. Instead of a direct clone of Disney California Adventure Park’s Cars Land, Magic Kingdom’s Cars expansion will feature two brand-new attractions designed exclusively for the Florida park.
While some Walt Disney World Resort fans embrace the change, others have voiced concerns about removing historic parts of Magic Kingdom Park. Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat were both opening-day attractions, and for many, they represent a connection to Walt Disney’s original vision for the park. Still, the removal of Tom Sawyer Island is not entirely surprising. The area sees significantly lower foot traffic than other parts of Magic Kingdom and has also been a source of controversy in recent years.
Mark Twain’s classic novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” has been scrutinized for its racial themes and language, with some questioning whether it still belongs in public education. This literary debate has extended to its presence in Disney Parks, where the island has become one of Frontierland’s few remaining non-Disney intellectual properties.
A First Look at Cars in Frontierland
Disney’s latest episode of We Call It Imagineering on YouTube offered a sneak peek at the Cars rides set to replace Tom Sawyer Island. While Radiator Springs Racers remains exclusive to Disney California Adventure Park, Imagineers showcased early designs for an all-new Cars off-road rally race attraction coming to Magic Kingdom.
In one clip, Imagineers compared a digital rendering of Radiator Springs Racers to a paper diorama of the planned track layout for the new Florida attraction. The model suggests a ride system similar to Radiator Springs Racers, with vehicles navigating a bumpy desert terrain.
“The vehicle will steer itself through a track system,” one Imagineer confirmed in the episode.
Unlike Disney’s newer trackless ride systems, the Cars rally race attraction will operate on a guided track, likely enhancing speed and control for a high-energy, family-friendly racing experience. Bumps will simulate driving through rocky terrain on an offroad course.
Though Walt Disney World Resort has not announced a closing date for Tom Sawyer Island or the Rivers of America, permits have already been filed for demolition and early construction. Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing an extended refurbishment, indicating that Disney may be preparing for increased foot traffic as the new Cars attractions take shape alongside the forthcoming Disney Villains Land.
What elements of the Cars franchise should Walt Disney Imagineering add to Frontierland? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
WHAT THE HELL does cars have to do with the FRONTIER? It not really FRONTIERLAND anymore. The Dumbasses at disny are on some good drugs. First some cajun bimpbo with her alligator sidekick moves in, now some damn taliking cars. It is not Disneyland or World anymore. I really do0n’t know what you would call it. Whateverland maybe.
NONE!!! It is Frontierland, not Route 66. Way screw things up. Disney is going to pots.
Tom Sawyer Island was really busy and Disney let it fall apart, never updated it, closed the food areas, removed seating areas, than closed it at sunset, reduced the boats across…etc. In other words they lead it to it’s demise. Also, to state controversy just leads to the sad fact that wokeness has in some way affected this also. Seems anything that a certain group does not like is destroyed due to thier feelings, thier emotions, there needs and wants. Please, stop this craziness and focus on what is best for all…inlcuding Families, historical sites/figures that are representative of the country, and yes inlcuding white people since we are all part of the same community. The balance needs to be restored. I will miss the island and the boat – had a lot of fun times on this when I was a kid, than with my Wife, and than with my kids. So a lot of memories that I am happy they will have. On that note, I used to go to Disney 1-2 times a year for 5-7 days – but since all this wokeness, price increases, and complete disregard to dedicated/seasoned fans…I have been going a lot less and finally int he past 2 years have not gone at all. Good job Disney.
Ok. So I should make a note of the attractions i don’t care for, tell Disney that whatever story they are based on was racist around 100 years ago, and they’ll be destroyed. Good to know!
Ah, yes, the “racial themes” of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Can’t have some of the original anti-racist writings in US literature celebrated, because of language you can hear a hundred times an hour on “urban radio”.
But, then, this is the “Disney” that wants to erase James Baskett.
Destroyed World of Disney. Destroyed sight lines all over Walt Disney World. Took everything offensive to the wokies out of the parks, and continue to do so! Unfortunately this makes for a very lame experience! Looks like the Emporium is next. Disney is as expensive as ever but they are delivering non immersing crap. The Polynesian tower looks exactly like someone shoe horned a courtyard in the middle. All you need to know is that it is brain dead to ignore the genius that has made Disney a world wide destination for decades; and become an emotional attachment for millions! Last but not least is Rivers of America; this area lends a beauty and atmosphere to the park that is invaluable! Why do you think nothing has been as successful as Disney for decades?? These fools are blinded by an agenda! This will be the last straw for us! It should have been Splash Mountain! Our 3000 DVC points will be sold, and no more blank checks for you Disney! Take a listen to “What Would Walt say?” by Tyler Dean McDowell. An amazingly well performed & written song! Couldn’t have said it better!
Controversial racial themes in “Tom Sawyer!?” What are these people talking about!?
Do any of these people know that at the end of the book, Tom had the choice of either turning in runaway slave Jim or letting him stay free? And that he had been taught, as was the cultural education of the time, that not following the law by turning him in, he would go to Hell?
AND TOM CHOSE HELL INSTEAD OF HURTING HIS FRIEND!?
It’s arguably one of the most poignant themes and lessons in all of American literature.
Disney is no longer Disney. Bob Iger has totally destroyed everything and what Disney is suppose to be about. Fort Wilderness was the best part of Disney. A long with the destruction of Disney. It no longer affordable for a working class families But Bob Iger is still getting his multi million dollar raise every year. With in the next few years. Disney will be a thing of the past. Thanks Bob Iger and the rest of Disney founders and board members.
I’m all for the change. If it is half as good as Radiator Springs in Disneyland, it will be a blast. I’m sure everyone will enjoy the new rides more than Tom Sawyer island and the riverboat.
This isn’t going to help the park at all and it’s definitely going to detract from Haunted Mansion. There is plenty of room to add new rides without destroying the ambience of the parks. What they seem to be rushing towards is a removal of Walt and trying to put their imprint on the parks.Unfortunately they don’t have Walt’s vision or competant imagineers. Tianas bayou is a sad imitation of imagineering that neither honored the movie it was based on or was a step up for the ride it replaced. Disney isn’t going to have to worry about crowds, they’ll be at Universal.
My family will not be returning. I will actually go back one last time to day good bye to Tom sawyer and rivers. I have between going for almost to yrs and 3 generations of my family. The days of being a kid watching Sunday night disney on tv are long gone and so is the Disney we love. I will be going to Universal this year hoping to find a new home base to go to each year. This is the worst decision they have ever made.