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New details revealed for HUGE expansion at Magic Kingdom with Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island axed!

New details have just revealed for the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! Learn more about the new frontier coming to Frontierland and beyond.

Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island axed as new details revealed for largest ever expansion at Magic Kingdom

This past weekend at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed exciting new details about what’s coming to Walt Disney World.


In addition to getting up close and personal with monsters and villains, soon you’ll be able to explore the uncharted territory of the great outdoors with an expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars.”


Ka-Chow! TWO new Cars Attractions coming to reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom

It’s time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations....


To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers. 



“We are thrilled to create this original Cars adventure and put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland,” shared Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so many of us to keep propelling forward. Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests.”


Ka-Chow! TWO new Cars Attractions coming to reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom

The new area will bring you along for the ride (pun intended) with a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes. 


But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.


Get ready to start your engines! Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.


New details revealed for HUGE expansion at Magic Kingdom with Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island axed

Ahead of work revving into high gear next year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.


Ka-Chow! TWO new Cars Attractions coming to reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom

And cruising 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.


HUGE NEWS! Villains to cast a spell over Magic Kingdom with New Villains Land

Together, these new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history. 


This is huge news, although 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.



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