This past weekend, tens of thousands of devoted fans headed to the Disneyland Resort to celebrate all things Disney at this year’s D23 Expo. The Expo, which was bigger than ever this year, featured informative panels, a ton of Disney celebrities, exciting performances, gorgeous costumes, and more. Typically, the event is held at the Anaheim Convention Center, but this year, the ultimate fan event past the convention center and reached the Honda Center.
While many fans thought the 2022 Expo was a big disappointment, this year’s event was much more well-received. Disney announced a ton of entertainment and theme park news. While fans were thrilled with many of the theme park announcements, one has fans way more divided.
During the Parks Panel — the highlight of the weekend — Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed that a new Cars-themed area will be coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. The new land — based on the 2006 Pixar film — will not be a land on its own, but instead, will be a part of Frontierland. Since the expo, we have learned that Disney will be getting rid of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for the Cars area.
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Debate immediately erupted about a couple of things. First, is Frontierland the right place for the Cars area to go? An overwhelming majority think it’s not. Second, should Disney continue to get rid of areas and attractions created by Walt Disney himself? This one is not as clear. Walt was always about moving forward, advancing, and changing, but many fans worry that he is being completely erased from the world that he created.
But now, a new concern has come to life. Will the new Cars expansion ruin the gorgeous and creepy aesthetic of the Haunted Mansion?
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Now, the Haunted Mansion is NOT located in Frontierland, it is located in Liberty Square. Liberty Square is located right next to Frontierland, and they beautifully blend into each other, mainly because of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
Once construction is complete on the Cars area, what will it feel like for guests waiting in the Haunted Mansion queue? Instead of looking out at a serene river, they will be looking at cars zooming by and massive crowds.
Getting rid of Rivers of America will be a huge MISTAKE and it still doesn’t make sense to me. It’s so important to the other surrounding attractions especially Haunted Mansion. I should also add that the removal will destroy an ecosystem and so much beautiful scenery.
Getting rid of Rivers of America will be a huge MISTAKE and it still doesn’t make sense to me. It’s so important to the other surrounding attractions especially Haunted Mansion. I should also add that the removal will destroy an ecosystem and so much beautiful scenery. pic.twitter.com/dqsEC5zkDC
— Arcade Warrior (@ArcadeWarrior) August 13, 2024
Some wondered if certain Disney attractions should be deemed “untouchable.” One X (formerly Twitter) user had an entire list that included the Haunted Mansion and several other Magic Kingdom attractions.
The following should (or should’ve) been considered untouchable:
Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World Railroad, Liberty Square Riverboat (Rivers of America), TTA PeopleMover, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress, it’s a small world, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Enchanted Tiki Room, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, Carrousel, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Animal Kingdom – Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest
Hollywood Studios – Tower of Terror, The Great Movie Ride, Backlot Tour
EPCOT – Journey Into Imagination, Horizons, Spaceship Earth
Also, when I say “untouchable,” I don’t mean free from refurbishment or even major overhaul. But the spirit of these attractions should (or should’ve) perpetually remain at Walt Disney World.
If you have issues with this list, it simply means Disney hasn’t done its job to maintain and/or update these attractions. In my opinion, anyways.
Yes.
The following should (or should’ve) been considered untouchable:
Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World Railroad, Liberty Square Riverboat (Rivers of America), TTA PeopleMover, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress, it’s a small world, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the… https://t.co/WDbBA4AM0j
— Disney Glimpses (@disneyglimpses) August 14, 2024
A lot of people were not against Disney bringing Cars to the Magic Kingdom — a Cars Land already exists in Disney California Adventure Park, and it is incredibly popular. However, they felt that Frontierland was not the right place for it, since the themes just don’t seem to fit. It’s not like they had cars on the frontier.
Disney is already expanding the Magic Kingdom beyond Big Thunder Mountain with the creation of a new Villains Land. So, why not continue the expansion and just dedicate an area to the beloved Pixar film?
Absolutely terrible idea for a Cars ride in Frontierland – completely takes away from Walt’s vision for this land. Removes the water element so needed in MK and ruins the visuals from Haunted Mansion, Liberty Square and Frontierland stores. To stand in line for HM and have to watch toon cars go by is terrible.
Plus, the impact this will have on the parade and people having to watch toon cars behind the floats.
Why not pause this expansion and focus on Villains Land. More people want to engage with villains than they do with cars — put 4-5 attractions in Villains Land instead of doing this and removing the Rivers of America.
Absolutely terrible idea for a Cars ride in Frontierland – completely takes away from Walt’s vision for this land. Removes the water element so needed in MK and ruins the visuals from Haunted Mansion, Liberty Square and Frontierland stores. To stand in line for HM and have to…
— HT (@FigmentConsult) August 14, 2024
The Cars addition to the Magic Kingdom was probably one of, if not the most, controversial announcement made at this year’s D23 Expo. More than one petition has been started on Change.org, hoping to raise enough signatures to change Disney’s mind. However, D’Amaro revealed that construction has already started on the Magic Kingdom transformation.
We do not know when Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close, nor will the Rivers of America cease to exist. Disney Dining will keep readers updated as we learn more.
Do you think the new Cars area will affect the aesthetic of the Haunted Mansion? Do Cars attractions belong in Frontierland? Let us know in the comments!