If there’s one thing we can count on in the Disney fandom, it’s that Frontierland will always stir up opinions — especially now that big changes are on the way.
A few years ago, even whispering about replacing anything in Frontierland would’ve had some Disney Adults reaching for their pitchforks (or at least their strongly worded Instagram captions). But lately? The mood is shifting. There’s still debate, but more and more fans are starting to open up to the idea that change isn’t always the villain of the story. To that point, we thought we’d reach out to you and get your takes, and honestly, your responses were all over the place… in the best way.
We reached out to our followers on Facebook and Instagram to ask: “What do you think about the Frontierland changes coming to Disney World?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!
Now, let’s go over some of your top responses!
“We keep moving forward…”
Conner came out swinging with a Walt Disney quote (which, if we’re being honest, is the ultimate mic drop in any Disney debate): “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney. Anyone who is adverse to change in the parks could just look to the countless quotes from the man himself.”
It’s true — Disney was never about staying static. While nostalgia is a huge part of what makes the parks magical, there’s also something to be said for living up to the spirit of progress Walt was always talking about. Conner’s point hit home with a lot of folks in the comments.
“The Riverboat is iconic… but the kids will love Cars Land.”
Next up, Len had mixed feelings: “I’m not crazy about it. The Riverboat, to me at least, is an iconic piece of Magic Kingdom. With that said, however, Cars Land is going to make the kids very happy, and that’s all that really matters. Walt made the parks for the kids to enjoy.”
This is where the Disney Adult identity crisis comes in. You grew up loving the classics — the Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island — but now you’re bringing your own kids (or nieces, nephews, or little cousins), and suddenly seeing the parks through their eyes. That “wow” moment they’ll have in a new Cars-themed land might just make it easier to let go of your Riverboat memories.
“Happy to see Tom Sawyer Island go…”
Next, George added a take that surprised a few longtime fans: “I’m happy to see Tom Sawyer Island go. It was a nice place to relax but as the years went on, seemed quite pointless as an attraction. Mixed on the Rivers of America and the Steamboat. I did enjoy riding on the steamboat down the rivers. It was a nice relaxing ride. But I’m always excited to see new attractions.”
This kind of honesty is starting to pop up more often. It’s not that people disliked Tom Sawyer Island — it’s that it doesn’t feel like it really fits anymore. It’s one thing to keep a nostalgic favorite that still draws crowds. It’s another to hang on to something that feels more like a ghost town (literally and figuratively). George’s comment shows that even the most peaceful corners of the park aren’t immune to some tough love.
“Sad but exciting…”
Next, Kathy summed up what a lot of folks are feeling in one sentence: “It’s sad but exciting at the same time. It’s time for something new. Just wish we didn’t have to say goodbye to the old time classics to get the new.”
Change at Disney is always a little bittersweet. It’s okay to be excited and sad at the same time — and we saw that echoed in dozens of comments. It’s a reminder that Disney nostalgia isn’t just about what you did in the parks — it’s about who you were with, how old you were, and how it all made you feel.
“Cars doesn’t belong here.”
Next, Alice brought up a major thematic issue: “Im not averse to change at all. But Cars really doesn’t belong there. It fits more in Hollywood Studios. Or at the very least Tomorrow Land. A cars themed ride to replace Autopia would have been great. Cars itself is just… jarring when placed against the backdrop of Frontier Land…”
Alice has a point — theming matters, and Cars skews more Route 66 than Wild West. For some fans, the dissonance between Lightning McQueen and the old-timey charm of Frontierland is just too much.
“They should build a 5th park…”
Next, Lorrie took things in a whole other direction: “I think they should build a 5th park and place all the classics they have removed from all the parks in that park. It would be super cool and nostalgic!!”
A “Disney Graveyard Park” sounds kind of wild, but also… not the worst idea? We know building a fifth gate is a massive undertaking, but it’s fun to dream.
“Every park needs a quiet spot.”
And finally, Janeen reminded us of something crucial: “I think every park needs a quiet spot with greenery and seating where folks can take a break and kids can run around.”
In the midst of all the talk about rides, lands, and theming, it’s easy to forget the importance of just having a space to breathe. Whether Frontierland changes or not, a little more room to relax is something everyone can agree on.
Well, those were just some of your thoughts about the Frontierland changes coming to Disney World, and now we want to hear even more from you! In the meantime, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!
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What do you think about the Frontierland changes coming to Disney World? Tell us all about it down in the comments!
Put cars land in Hollywood where it belongs
Sad… Disneyland isn’t Disney anymore. The Disney name isnt Disney anymore.What a shame!
Walt Disney’s original vision was that Disneyland was created with the idea of honoring the past while embracing the future and anticipating change. To ruin Frontierland which represents the past for another IP attraction defeats this purpose. Now, everything has to be IP oriented which dismisses Walt’s original vision. Disney isn’t made just for kids. It’s for everyone, families, adults, children to — learn, explore, and to get inspired. Cars Land doesn’t fit into 1880s Frontierland – it becomes something else and it becomes more IP that removes the original sentiment of past meeting the present.
Walt said he bought all that land for expansion so expand use the open land quit getting rid of perfectly good attractions when you are not landlocked. And quit selling off his land.
We are WDW has lost its way. The removal of Tom Sayers Island which had a restaurant is sad. It is one if the stories Walt loved. It is reflected also in the American experience.
Slowly Walt is being erased.
Another park would be great with all that was or is going to be erased. Like the Muppets…They lied to Jim Henson.
Carsland sounds awesome and it totally fits in Frontierland – there is no time limit on that Frontier and the whole Route 66 vibe totally fits in with the idea of the American Frontier. With that said, Disney has plenty of room for Cars and Tom Sawyer. The Island and The Rivers of America are classics and should be treated as such. I support the whole, keep moving forward thing, but that doesn’t mean forget the past.
Just hope they keep some of the water features of the area in the new design. Honestly never rode the boat or went to tom Sawyer Island, so not really impacting my usual agenda. I just hope they don’t make it all land like when they got rid of 20,000 leagues under the sea.
Change is good. Saying goodbye to Rivers of America is just fine.
One of the reasons Walt built WDW is because he has allot of land to expand. Yes add Cars Land. But don’t remove frontier land.
I disagree with the premise entirely. Disney needs to add new rides and attractions, they need more capacity. They have plenty of land but insist on replacing great rides with lesser attractions, think The Great Movie Ride and Splash Mountain. Disney seems intent on removing water features from their parks and hotels. The walkway between Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion is the best walk in Magic Kingdom. Yes Walt said,”We keep moving forward, opening new doors,” he also said “I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things of the past.” WDW has all the land to expand but they refuse to increase the footprints of the parks thus increasing capacity. They need long lines to sell their new cash cow, paid line skipping.
I think the new cars land, jammed into frontier land will ruin the ambience between HM and Pirates. Everyone complains about the smell and noise from Autopia, put the new ride there since they won’t expand the parks, but will keep adding new timeshares and bars. Walt said they had all the room they needed in Florida, why don’t they use it?
If Disney world is going to make a cars ATV ride. Then they should go with the Pixar cars cartoon short radiator springs 500 1/2 where we as guests goes through 3 areas Cool pool of tranquility, taillight caverns and the enchanted forest or we go the wrong way through a cactus field, tailpipe caverns and the haunted junkyard before getting back to radiator springs because that would be the ride I would go on for sure, however if they make the ride a barebones experience with nothing to look at and no pond or river for the cars ride,I will be very disappointed and will consider it downgrade I won’t ride again. Also I want a thunder hollow cars derby where we can crash and bumper cars into each other. They should build carsland elsewhere that won’t get rid of Rivers of America.
Also I want Disney parks to address the 1927 flood on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and build a memorial plaque to honor the 500 flood victims who were taken from the flood and the thousands of African Americans who were stranded on the levee hill in Red Cross camps. I hope Disneyland and Disney world will teach park guests about the history of the 1927 Mississippi River disaster.
It’s a terrible idea. The trees. The boardwalk. The water, needs to at least stay. Most folks are not aware of the caves to explore at Tom Sawyer island. Kids love it
It is true that it would be nice if every park had a quiet spot. Every chance I got I walked along the river from Big Thunder to the Haunted Mansion. That area will be missed. They drained the river not long ago for refurbishment revealing the Liberty Belle was on a track. I think the hatred of Tom Sawyer Island brought it on and a scene of native Americans that you see while going down the river on the Liberty Belle. If the depiction is wrong, how should it be?
With all the changes Bob Iger has brought to Disney over the years, I’m more excited than ever about Universal Orlando!
Personally, I hate the changes. More and more thrill rides. A rollercoaster is a rollercoaster. No story really and certainly little to stimulate the imagination. Just pure adrenaline and excitement. But it’s the way of the world these days. Theme parks are just becoming really expensive amusement parks.
Families have changed. Kids are uncontrollable and the adults are becoming drunker and drunker when booze is at hand.
I will miss Tim Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America. So will my 23 year old daughter. Both of us enjoy the simple things. It’s actually a lot of fun for exploring and taking it easy. An oasis of green in the middle of a great big grey of concrete. Hot concrete. And now they’re adding more. Yay.
Move cards land to autopia location. If they keep it where they want it flip it so the snow capped mountain is at the back of the attraction. with the villanland be a better drop for it