The Disney Parks Blog has confirmed that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed to make way for a “Cars”-themed expansion in Magic Kingdom.

Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to Make Way for ‘Cars’

The announcement of a new “Cars” expansion for Frontierland at Magic Kingdom was revealed over the weekend as part of the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

To make way for this “new frontier,” it has been confirmed that the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into this new landscape. We previously reported the Rivers of America closure as a rumor, and that it would include the permanent closure of the Liberty Square Riverboat.

New concept art was also released illustrating what this area will look like, shown above. You can spot Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain, and the former footprint of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, now taken over by “Cars.”

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.

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.

Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering

This new area will include two attractions: a rally race through the mountains, which could be a similar ride system to Radiator Springs Racers; and a second attraction geared toward smaller guests and families.

Construction begins early next year, but Disney has said that guests will have “plenty of time” to experience Frontierland as it exists today.

Disney began filing permits for Frontierland earlier this year, and Big Thunder Mountain could close for an extended refurbishment once construction begins.

Going “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain,” guests will also be able to venture into a new land dedicated to Disney Villains, also announced this past weekend at D23. That expansion will include two major attractions, dining, and shopping.

These two areas together mark the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

Read more announcements from D23 2024, and watch Tom’s LIVE reaction and honest review for the Disney Parks panel:

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