It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room, or rather the Cars, in the room.
Yes, we’re talking about the big Cars expansion that’s coming to Magic Kingdom in Frontierland. We’ll admit that we were shocked when Disney first made the announcement that it had plans to bring this expansion to the park, but as we learned more about the expansion, we became more worried about it. Now, we think building it in Magic Kingdom is a big mistake.
Here’s why we think a Cars expansion in Magic Kingdom is a bad idea.
It Gets Rid of Magic Kingdom’s Body of Water
Every park in Disney World has a body of water. Not only does it create a nice atmosphere for each park, but it also helps cool off things when summer rolls around in Disney World. However, the Cars expansion is going to take over Rivers of America, leaving Magic Kingdom without its big body of water.
First, this is going to make the park SO hot in the summer. But it’s also just going to turn a beautiful area into something a bit more unsightly. No amount of Cars theming is going to replace that view.
It Doesn’t Make Sense
The Cars expansion will be part of Frontierland, but there’s a big problem with that. Frontierland’s theme is basically the Wild West, aka the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cars is a modern movie set in modern times and does not fit into this setting.
Granted, neither does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is also in Frontierland, so we’re guessing Disney doesn’t really care so much about proper theming in this area anymore.
Should’ve Been Tomorrowland Speedway
If anything, Cars would make WAY more sense over in Tomorrowland, most notably taking over the one car-themed ride in the park, Tomorrowland Speedway.
Tomorrowland Speedway isn’t exactly a super popular ride, so replacing it could bring a lot more interest to that part of the park. We also have to wonder why Disney plans on keeping Tomorrowland Speedway if two more rides based around cars are going to exist in Magic Kingdom? Maybe a Tomorrowland overhaul is in the future once these big Frontierland updates are done?! One can dream, right?!
Will Cars Remain Relevant?
Okay, we get the appeal of the Cars movies, but will those movies remain relevant well into the future to warrant destroying part of Magic Kingdom for generations to come? Will tomorrow’s generation still care about the rides and the characters they’re based on?
Or will the Cars expansion eventually become another dusty part of Frontierland destined to be forgotten?
It’s Going to Throw Everything Off Balance
Magic Kingdom was carefully planned out to have a central hub and then spokes that go out into the different lands. This design has been capable of handling massive crowds throughout the history of the park. However, putting the Cars expansion right smack in the middle of Rivers of America is going to throw that balance off.
Not only that, but we’re already starting to see that Disney has started to care a lot less by sight-lines. It used to be that when a new land was developed, it was created in a way that you couldn’t see it from other parts of the park. This new land is going to ruin those sight-lines, particularly from attractions like nearby Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square.
So, yes, we have some big concerns about putting this Cars expansion in the middle of Magic Kingdom. However, we really don’t have much choice but to accept it at this point because work has already started on the expansion. We’re just going to have to wait and see what it looks like when it’s done and hope Disney hasn’t forever ruined Magic Kingdom.
Check back with AllEars again soon for more.
All the Expansions, Lands, and Rides Announced by Disney for 2025, 2026, and 2027
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What do you think about the Cars expansion coming to Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Such good points.
It definitely should have replaced the Speedway. I don’t know why that attraction wasn’t replaced years ago. What is this, 1950?
Exactly, what a tragedy! I said it before, and I’ll say it again: this was just one of many knee-jerk reactions to Epic. Notice when all of this was announced.
Completely agree. It really makes you wonder about the thought process in the Boardroom.
Carsland belongs at DHS! Think about it: Monsters Inc. will soon be there. Toy Story is already there. PIXAR should take over that corner of the park! Add others too like the Incredibles. 😀😀😀 disney is making a huge mistake getting rid of Rivers of America.
Walt would not approve of the destruction of Rivers of America. Whose idea was it to build Carsland there.
Not good
It’s a terrible mistake. I love just being by the water but they are too stupid to think anything through. For a company that takes forever to act the decisions they come to make no sense.
Thank you for finally saying what 97.5% of us are saying!! Destroying the Rivers of America is the biggest mistake that the Disney company will ever make and will cause the end of Disney World as the number one theme park. We are not renewing our passes – I currently have counted 17 family members and friends that are also canceling their passes.
The only way to protest, is to not go and not spend your money there. Sad days ahead 🙁 Thank you for finally reporting the worst idea that Disney will regret. Props to you!
It’s of course a big mistake as far as aesthetics and removing the Rivers of America. I’ve been screaming that. But nothing will ever stop the new Disney from going for the buck over practicality and sentimentality. Cars is about as popular now as what’s currently there and it’s nearly a half decade newer. But, yes, people will initially come in droves and they’ll bring in the dollars.
For me, as someone who has been going since 1973, I’m gonna miss the oasis and tranquility of that island and the surrounding river. Just enjoying the scenery and adventure should be enough for people but nope it’s got to be thrill stimulation after thrill stimulation. Disney is becoming more amusement park than theme park. Whatever.
So gross to see anyone accept the placement of cars. Disney has become anti American, and so they’re trying to destroy any Americana,aka Frontierland in MK, Liberty Singers costuming in Epcot, etc. The days of build something new, anything new, and people will come, is coming to an end. I’ve been coming to Disney since 1972, including honeymoon in 87 and many more with the family, including several 3 generation trips. But despite the nostalgia, we are splitting out trips now to include Universal and a LOT less Disney. They are losing the Magic. It may take a decade to show up, but Disney is becoming just like every other theme park, so therefore not worth the outlandish prices. Once they can’t gouge customers anymore, they’ll find out they strangled their golden goose, but then it will be too late. Stop cheerleading for Disney. Great article!!
I am glad it has occurred to someone that a Cars ride would be a much more fitting replacement in Tomorrowland! Destroying the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyers is an awful idea!! The current leadership clearly is less interested in celebrating America than Walt was.
People need to stop calling ot an expansion. That would imply new land is being developed. This is just filling in ROA with hundreds of thousands of gallons of concrete and leveling TSI woth a bulldozer. A quarter of the park will be blocked off my construction walls, making the crowds worse. No one wants this
Destroying the rivers of America to build cars Land is a mistake, but it’s not the biggest mistake that Disney has recently made. The far bigger mistake is hiring all of these dei people who are responsible for these disasters decisions.
These people think they have the right to do whatever they want, whether the public likes it or not, and whether Walt Disney would have liked it or not. Well, they do not have the ethical right to make these changes any more than the Louvre in Paris has the right to deface the Mona Lisa. The Magic Kingdom is a National treasure, and it belongs to the entire country and even the world. It certainly does NOT belong to these extremely foolish people who are making these terrible decisions. They should all be fired immediately.
If we have to buy Disney in order to stop This disaster, we should.
No mystery here. Iger’s goal is to eradicate ANYTHING and EVERYTHING related to Walt Disney. He hates Walt’s wholesome image and wants to make all of Disney an adult only cesspool.
I could not agree more with the author of this article. But apparently, Disney is deaf to these concerns….some of which were raised by senior Imagineers that are well-versed in theme park design. I consider destroying Rivers of America a crass, soulless move.
I have to agree with you on how it seems that this generation of disney management just does not think or car if a new attraction ruins the feel, the sight line, the ” ahhh” moments when you walk the park as it was planned. There are better areas to expand in than take away a lovey place.
Somebody’s been reading my emails.
This is exactly what I sent in an email to Disney.
But alas they don’t listen to me.
I agree with your post, especially with the idea of putting Cars where Tomorrowland Speedway is.
I also realize that everything will change in Disney parks but it is sad to see something that Mr. Disney loved SO much be removed and forgotten. This land represented American history which was very important to his theming ideology…..
If Disney builds a new attraction, people will come. In droves. These same people will pay extra for it. Out with the old, in with the new. Adios, Rivers of America. Very few will lament its passing. Welcome , “Stickers.” Aka Lightning McQueen. A hero for the ages