Things are getting real over in Frontierland.
We just got a major update from Disney about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and if you’ve been wondering how a Cars-themed land fits into Magic Kingdom, you’re not alone. With the brand-new expansion called Piston Peak coming to the area, Big Thunder Mountain is getting some serious changes — and they’re not just cosmetic. Here’s what Disney’s doing to tie it all together and why you might want to start planning your next trip with this in mind.
So, What’s Actually Happening?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently closed for a pretty major refurbishment, and that’s not just about smoothing out the ride (though they are replacing the track, which should help). It’s also about preparing the area for its new next-door neighbor: a Cars-inspired land called Piston Peak. Yep, Cars — the Pixar one. And yes, it’s going right into Frontierland.
Piston Peak is taking over Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America starting July 7th. That’s a huge chunk of land, and it’s going to sit right next to Big Thunder and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Understandably, fans have been raising eyebrows. Cars? Frontierland? Well, Disney Imagineers have a plan — and it’s all about the parks. National Parks, that is.
Here’s the “How” Behind the Makeover
Disney is going full-on “Parkitecture” with this expansion — a style of design used by the National Park Service to make buildings blend in with nature. That’s the vibe for Piston Peak.
The whole land is inspired by Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. And that might actually be a smart move because Big Thunder Mountain was originally based on Bryce Canyon in Utah, which is just next door (geologically speaking). So even though “Cars” doesn’t scream Frontierland, a national park setting does help smooth that transition.
Big Thunder Mountain is basically becoming the bridge between classic Frontierland and the new Piston Peak area. Disney’s using elements like geysers, rainbow pools, and subtle tire tracks to connect the storylines.
Not only will the ride itself include new water features and expanded geyser effects, but for the first time, guests will be able to walk through the Big Thunder geyser field. Picture this: rainbow-colored pools, trails with car tire imprints, and geysers blasting steam that links the visual theming right into the new off-road rally ride coming to Piston Peak.
Why It’s Actually Kinda Genius
From a thematic standpoint, Disney’s approach here is pretty clever. They know Cars doesn’t naturally fit the Old West theme, so they’re using the national park angle to merge the two.
That means Big Thunder’s wild landscape will now blend more naturally into the high-altitude setting of Piston Peak. Think mountains, trees, water features — and yes, trees are pulling double duty here. They’ll also serve as a visual barrier between Piston Peak and Liberty Square, so you’re not staring at radiator caps from the Haunted Mansion queue.
They’re also thinking vertically — “rugged mountains with dramatic peaks” are being added across from Grizzly Hall, which helps with those all-important Disney sightlines.
That’s code for: they don’t want you seeing the wrong land from the wrong spot. It’s the kind of detail that casual guests don’t always notice, but when it’s not there, it feels off. So kudos to the Imagineers for sweating that.
What About the Ride Experience Itself?
Aside from the thematic additions, we’re also getting practical updates to the Big Thunder Mountain ride. The track replacement means smoother turns, better ride flow, and hopefully less wear and tear long-term. But Disney hasn’t given a reopening date just yet, so don’t bank on riding it anytime this year. For now, the plan is to keep Big Thunder closed through the rest of 2025.
If you’re planning a trip to Magic Kingdom soon, just know that this whole area is going to look very different by the time it’s done. With Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America closing on July 7th, the old-school charm of that section is going away — and Disney is clearly betting big on this new Cars-meets-national-parks vision.
Final Thoughts
Is it weird that Cars is coming to Frontierland? Maybe. But the way Disney’s stitching everything together might actually work. If they pull this off, Piston Peak could end up feeling like a natural (and maybe even beautiful) extension of the park — instead of an awkward transition zone. The geysers, the tire tracks, the rainbow pools — it’s all part of a bigger plan to keep the magic seamless.
Check back with AllEars again soon for more.
Why Big Thunder Mountain Will Be Totally Different When It Reopens
What do you think of these changes to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Let us know in the comments!
Maybe we won’t see hubcaps from the Haunted Mansion but the entire vibe of the HM queue will be quite different. The HM is currently ticked away in a corner giving it its secluded, mysterious atmosphere that every good haunted mansion should have. Once Cars Land opens it’ll just be another house on the way to something else. It will lose a major part of its character.
Disney imagineers are a joke now a days. Cars has no business being in magic kingdom nor does villains land. Neither fits with the theming of magic kingdom.