Walt Disney World share new details on massive "Cars" Expansion coming to Magic Kingdom

Welcome to the Wheelderness!  Take a look at Piston Peak National Park coming to Frontierland at Walt Disney World inspired by the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier!

Huge changes are coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World with a massive expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars” scheduled to begin construction soon.

The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into what Walt Disney World describe as "vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers."

To accommodate this expansion, Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat are being axed, and with fans curious to see how the new expansion will fit into the waters, landscapes, and storytelling at Magic Kingdom, Disney has shared new details on this huge project, including when the classic Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat will close.

Read on for all the details...

The new area in Frontierland will be called, "Piston Peak National Park," with Disney sharing that the expansion will "continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has crossed Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day.  "

Westward Ho! Crossing into New Frontiers at Magic Kingdom

Since the early days of Magic Kingdom, adventurous guests have traveled across space and time as they pass from Liberty Square to Frontierland. Starting with architectural influences from upstate New York and colonial America in Liberty Square, before traveling to a bear-y fun concert in the North Woods, a stop by New Orleans at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and ending in the Arizona bluffs at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.   

To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom.

Welcome to Piston Peak National Park

Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers. While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.   

Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar “Cars” universe. To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called “Parkitecture,” which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.    

From the outside, trees will provide a natural barrier between the off-road rally and other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Rugged mountains with dramatic peaks will be nestled along a calming waterway across from Grizzly Hall and soaring geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of our off-road rally. 

Cruising Just Around the Bend  

As work revs into high gear this summer, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close beginning July 7.

Imagineers are also hard at work beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad bringing to life the first-ever land inspired by the Disney Villains with two major attractions, dining and shopping all on an incredibly twisted grand scale.    

In addition to the Cars expansion, just around the bend, guests will be able to venture Beyond Big Thunder Mountain into an all-new land dedicated to Disney Villains.

 Inspired by the wicked characters fans know and loathe, the multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life.

This is huge news, but sadly we are losing the picturesque Rivers Of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Saywer Island, but as Walt Disney said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world,” and now here in Florida, we will just have to remember this for Magic Kingdom too.

Gotta Go Orlando offers the best and most up to date coverage of events and things to do throughout Central Florida. We feature the latest entertainment news daily, including concerts, theater, culture, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, festivals, events, and more.

Never miss any Orlando news with Gotta Go Orlando! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter, and join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Contact Us

Got a story to tell Orlando? Contact us now. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.