Disney has cut down hundreds — if not thousands — of trees backstage at Magic Kingdom to set up the laydown yard for the park’s “Cars” expansion.
‘Cars’ Laydown Yard
The laydown yard is visible from the Walt Disney World Monorail. It’s next to the canal off Seven Seas Lagoon that houses the Electrical Water Pageant floats during the day. This area runs right up to the backstage area behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Crews have cleared all the trees and foliage from the area, with dozens of logs stacked at the back of the laydown yard. There are several excavators and other construction vehicles. The road cutting through the yard is Caribbean Way.
This Google Maps image has the approximate location of the laydown yard highlighted in red, also showcasing how the area used to be filled with trees. We previously reported on the location of the laydown yard in Disney’s plans submitted to the South Florida Water Management District. SFWMD approved the plans in February.
Crews have already started laying down gravel. Eventually, this is where construction materials will be stored when not in use in the actual park. As seen in the concept art below, the “Cars” expansion will be in Frontierland, replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
In homage to Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, the area will still have water features and barrel bridges. Imagineers are keeping sightlines in mind while creating the area. Inspired by National Parks, the area will have a park ranger car inspired by classic Disney cartoons. It will have two rides — a rally race attraction and a family-friendly ride.
Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island will all close permanently this weekend.
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