A recently published patent application reveals details about the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom, which is part of a significant 14-acre expansion that includes the Piston Peak area and a section themed to Disney Villains.
Filed on September 11, 2024, by Derek Lee Howard and Edward Allen Nemeth, the patent shows that Disney had been developing the ride system design before officially announcing the Cars land. Guests will be able to control elements such as speed, direction, and acceleration, allowing for a customizable ride experience where they can navigate around obstacles or seek out bumps.
The Off-Road Track System at Magic Kingdom
Disney first revealed the off-road track system for the Cars ride in March 2025, but this new patent application suggests there may be more variety for guests than initially announced.
Since the ride is designed to be more like off-roading than following a single predetermined track like traditional dark rides, it appears guests may be able to choose from various terrains and ride elements to tailor the experience, creating a customizable attraction where different riders could have meaningfully different experiences based on their choices.
The newly published patent application reveals various ride maps showing different possible paths through the attraction, suggesting that the Cars ride may offer multiple route options that create variety across different ride experiences. The ride vehicles will be able to navigate terrain via a track-guidance wire system, and guests will be able to control some elements within a set of parameters, which keeps guests safe by preventing maneuvers that could damage the ride vehicles or create unsafe conditions.
They're Actually Testing This on Real Dirt Tracks
Last year, Disney Parks shared a test of the off-road track showing actual development work happening, and Walt Disney Imagineer Michael Hundgen explained that they're using a customized production vehicle with sensors all over it and taking it for test drives on a dirt track to gather data on how the vehicle responds to different terrain. He described this as turning the feeling they want into real-world engineering, which basically means they're driving actual cars on actual dirt to figure out how to make the ride feel authentic.
The testing process involves actual off-road driving on purpose-built dirt tracks that simulate the terrain conditions guests will experience in the finished attraction, allowing Imagineers to collect data on vehicle suspension behavior, traction characteristics, and mechanical stress that informs final ride system design.
The Piston Peak Setting Makes Sense
Given the attraction's location in a Piston Peak National Park-themed environment, it makes sense that there would be natural obstacles and varying terrain reflecting the mountainous wilderness setting from Planes: Fire & Rescue. The natural obstacles could include rocks, fallen logs, streams or water crossings, mud pits, steep inclines and descents, and narrow trails between trees that create challenges for off-road vehicles while maintaining a family-friendly tone appropriate for Magic Kingdom.
This Is Taking Over a Huge Chunk of Magic Kingdom
The ongoing Piston Peak expansion is transforming the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island areas of Frontierland, which have remained largely unchanged since the Magic Kingdom's 1971 opening. This expansion includes a new Cars attraction as part of a 14-acre development, which also features a Disney Villains section behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, significantly increasing the park's capacity.
The decision to replace classic elements has sparked controversy among fans who appreciate the traditional riverboat experience, but Disney argues the new attractions will attract a wider audience. This expansion is one of the largest since the opening of New Fantasyland. The ability for guests to control speed and direction enhances replayability, making it a more engaging experience compared to typical dark rides.
