Walt Disney Imagineering has applied for the construction of two buildings at the STOLport site near Magic Kingdom to support work on the park’s new Cars area and Disney Villains land.
New Imagineering Buildings
The site was the location of the Walt Disney World Airport and is now used as a staging ground for various construction projects. It’s located off World Drive, to the east of Magic Kingdom.
Disney’s latest permit application, filed with the South Florida Water Management District, “proposes infrastructure to support the addition of two buildings” at STOLport. The infrastructure would include parking, sidewalks, utilities, and drainage collection/conveyance systems.
Two existing retention ponds at the site would also be modified. One would become a dry detention pond, and the other a wet detention pond. Orifices and a weird would be added to support the updates. Two existing control structures would remain.
The permit calls this “Project K.” Though not specifically outlined in the application, the new buildings would most likely support work at the nearby Magic Kingdom, with the two biggest projects being the Cars expansion and Disney Villains land.
Disney has also filed permits for construction trailers behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and cut down trees backstage to make space.
Cars Area
The Cars area is not a new land but an expansion to Frontierland. It replaces Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, which closed permanently this summer. Dubbed Piston Peak, the Cars area takes inspiration from National Parks, specifically the Rocky Mountains. It will include a river and other water features, as well as barrel bridges in homage to Tom Sawyer Island.
The area’s new original car character, Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, pays tribute to the classic Disney cartoon character Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore, who was mostly featured in shorts alongside Humphrey the Bear.
Disney designed the area with sightlines in mind, so guests won’t see obvious car architecture (car-chitecture) in other areas of Magic Kingdom.
It will include two attractions. One is an off-road rally race ride featuring ride vehicles with different personalities. The other is a family attraction, but details have not been announced.
Disney Villains Land
Disney Villains land will go behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Disney has not shared many details of the area, but we expect big announcements at Destination D23 this month. Concept art includes Maleficent’s castle and her dragon form. The land will include two attractions, dining, and shopping. A list of villains inspiring the land includes Maleficent and her dragon form, The Queen of Hearts, Jafar, the Evil Queen (and her Old Hag form), Lady Tremaine, Yzma, Cruella, Captain Hook, Gaston, Mother Gothel, Ursula, Hades, and Chernabog.
Disney also recently surveyed guests about rare villains.
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