For decades, families have floated gently along the Rivers of America or wandered the winding paths of Tom Sawyer Island, taking in the classic charm of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland at Disney World.
But now, something big—something fast—is rumbling beneath the surface. If you thought Disney had fallen asleep at the wheel while Epic Universe steals the spotlight, think again. A wave of high-octane change is coming—and it starts with a legendary tow truck and a certain red race car.
What in the world is Disney planning behind the scenes of the world’s most visited theme park?
Cars Are Taking Over Frontierland at Disney World—Literally
In a move that’s as bold as it is unexpected, Disney is giving part of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland a turbocharged makeover. According to newly filed permits and confirmed reports, the classic Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are set to be demolished to make room for an all-new “Cars”-themed area. But this isn’t just a copy-and-paste of Radiator Springs Racers from California Adventure—this is a new frontier, literally and thematically.
Welcome to an off-road adventure with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the whole gang. But instead of desert highways, this story picks up somewhere rugged and wild—bringing guests into a world of muddy trails, mountain turns, geysers, and deep-woods mayhem. It’s the American frontier, reimagined by Pixar.
Two Attractions, One Wild Ride Into the Wilderness
Disney Imagineers are hard at work developing two distinct rides for the Cars expansion:
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The High-Speed Rally Race – A thrilling rally-style race through mountainous terrain, featuring custom-designed ride vehicles that simulate off-roading with realistic movements, splashes through geysers, and more. This will be the thrill ride centerpiece of the expansion.
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The Family Adventure Ride – A slower-paced, all-ages experience with Mater and friends, made to delight younger guests and offer something for the whole family.
These attractions won’t use recycled systems from other Disney parks. Instead, Imagineering is pioneering new ride technology to simulate rugged terrain in ways guests have never experienced before at Walt Disney World.
Behind the Magic: The Construction Permits Tell the Real Story
Disney recently filed six major permits for 5055 Caribbean Way, a backstage area near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This location conveniently sits right behind the soon-to-be-demolished Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, lining up perfectly with the footprint needed for this expansion.
The permits call for a massive trailer complex to be installed for construction teams and Imagineering operations. Some of the contracted work includes:
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McGrath RentCorp – Installing on-site trailers for Imagineers and project management
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Siemens Industry, Inc. – Fire alarm systems
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Specialty Plumbing LLC – Core infrastructure installation
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International Fire Protection, Inc. – Fire suppression systems
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Bumgarner Electric – Full electrical setup
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Awesome Aire Solutions, Inc. – HVAC installations
This level of preparation shows Disney is not just planning—they’re building. And fast.
Why Now? And What Does It Mean for Disney’s Future?
With Universal’s Epic Universe set to open in just one month, featuring Nintendo, Classic Monsters, and How to Train Your Dragon, the pressure is on. Disney has often been accused of moving too slowly when it comes to new lands at Walt Disney World. This sudden rush of permits and backstage work shows a company ready to hit the gas.
The Cars expansion is just one part of a much broader initiative. Sources indicate that Disney is also planning a Villains Land and possibly a Monsters, Inc. Land in future phases of Magic Kingdom expansion. After years of speculation, it looks like Disney is finally answering fan demand with aggressive new investments into beloved IPs.
But make no mistake—this isn’t just about new rides. This is about identity. Frontierland has long been tied to Americana nostalgia, but as tastes shift and younger generations seek IP-driven experiences, Disney seems poised to give this section of the park a whole new lease on life.
The Bigger Picture at Disney World: A Battle of Giants
If you’ve been to Magic Kingdom lately, you may have noticed: it’s busy, but it hasn’t felt new. With Epic Universe preparing to dominate Orlando’s theme park buzz, Disney’s latest moves are less about catching up and more about launching their next chapter.
Replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island may sting for longtime fans, but it’s a calculated sacrifice. In its place? A vibrant, kinetic land filled with Pixar charm, thrills, and storytelling that connects across generations.
And with trailers already on the way and construction underway, it seems like we won’t have to wait long to see what kind of magic Lightning McQueen can bring to the wild west.
Source: WDWMagic
