Amid Mass Protests, Disney World Begins Process of Axing Beloved Attraction After 50+ Years

Walt Disney World Resort has made some controversial moves in its time, but we can remember few as divisive as one announced in 2024.

Over the next decade, Disney plans to invest $60 billion into its theme parks and experiences (although the accuracy of this number has been debated this week) in an effort to elevate its guest offerings.

Of course, as is typically the case with upgrading theme parks, that means some degree of change. While Disney World sits on a sizeable plot of land – one that spans a whopping 25,000 acres, which, for context, is approximately the same size as San Francisco – Disney often opts to replace existing attractions rather than branch out onto untouched property.

Disney’s Most Controversial Move Yet

Last year’s D23 Expo saw Disney drop a long list of announcements that will use its $60 billion fund in Orlando, some of which were better received than others. The most divisive of the bunch was the decision to replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island with an expansion of Frontierland themed to the Cars franchise.

While Cars Land is extremely popular in California Adventure, the move has sparked heavy backlash within the Disney park community. Some have even actively rooted for a recession to force Disney to axe the plan, similar to its decision to quietly cancel its Mary Poppins attraction at EPCOT during COVID-19.

For the most devastated fans, the crux of the matter is that Rivers of America adds some much-needed natural kineticism to Magic Kingdom. Once filled in, the park loses its focal beauty point – one that has always helped Disney’s castle parks stand out as a place of whimsy versus other parks on property – which will instead be replaced by a swathe of concrete.

Work Begins on Upcoming Demolition

Despite mass protests on social media, where both past executives and Walt Disney Imagineers have pleaded with Disney to cancel its plans, it seems like these requests to #SaveMagicKingdom have fallen on deaf ears. There are now obvious signs that Disney is prepping to start clearing land for its new Cars area, with reports of machinery and silt fencing now onsite.

For now, this is restricted to a spot near Floridian Way located behind Big Thunder Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Earlier permit applications suggest that this will serve as Disney’s laydown yards, where it will store equipment during construction. Disney has also filed permits for nearby a trailer compound, where its project management offices will likely be located.

Disney has yet to announce an actual closure date for the Rivers of America. Judging by past closures, it should provide at least several months’ notice, meaning we probably have at least the summer to enjoy the area. Beyond that point, however, we make no promises.

Once Cars Land opens at Disney World, guests can expect something totally different from the version found at Disney California Adventure (and, thankfully, something very different from the long-lambasted Cars rides found at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris). Walt Disney Imagineering has teased an off-road rally adventure with custom ride vehicles, featuring Lightning McQueen, Mater, and other beloved characters from the Pixar trilogy.

Pixar has also teased plans for Cars 4 – a convenient (but unnecessary) release that would likely boost interest in the land.

Are you sad to see Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island go?