Latest news with #PistonPeakNationalPark
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fans slam Disney World for 'tearing apart' Magic Kingdom as beloved landmark undergoes shocking transformation
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is in the middle of a big transformation, and one of its most nostalgic areas is at the center of it. This week, guests witnessed the visible draining of Rivers of America - marking the beginning of a permanent change to a section of the park that has been largely untouched for decades. What was once a pretty quiet corner of Liberty Square and Frontierland is now becoming a construction zone - and some fans are not happy about it. The Rivers of America, along with the Liberty Square Riverboat ride and Tom Sawyer Island, are being retired to make room for a new Cars-themed land. This immersive area will introduce two new attractions: a high-speed off-road rally ride designed and a family-friendly indoor adventure set in a rustic lodge. The company explained that the new area will be called Piston Peak National Park and described it as an 'awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers.' But the exciting addition also mean the loss of some of Magic Kingdom's most iconic and tranquil experiences. The Liberty Belle Riverboat was one of the park's original opening-day attractions, and Tom Sawyer Island offered families a quiet escape from the crowds and screen-based attractions. Disney World's Magic Kingdom has begun draining the Rivers of America, a quiet corner that previously housed serene rides, to make way for the new Cars-themed land As pictured of the drainage were shared on social media, one seen here, many Disney fans shared their outrage Currently, construction walls are in place and phased demolition has begun. The full build-out is expected to take a few years, with an estimated opening window around 2028. The project will require a complete overhaul of the area's infrastructure, including new plumbing and the removal of the river system that once gave the area its charm. The changing view from Liberty Square - absent of riverboat reflections and quiet waters and replaced with construction walls - signals the end of an era for some visitors. Many avid Disney fans were left unsettled by the start of the construction, and took to social media to share their heartbreak. 'Just plain wrong,' one fan wrote in response to pictures of the Rivers of America being drained. 'Nature being wiped out by industrial ugh it's just like real life whyyyyy,' another added. 'This probably shouldn't be making me as sad as it is, right?' someone else asked. The company explained that the new area will be called Piston Peak National Park and described it as an 'awe-inspiring wilderness filled with mountains and breathtaking waterfalls' 'I hate Disney now. Used to be my favorite place. Haven't been in years. No plan to ever go back,' a fourth tweet read. The new Cars land is only one of the many changes coming to Disney. There's also an area inspired by the Disney villains in the works at Magic Kingdom. In addition, an Encanto river ride, an Indiana Jones attraction, and a Zootopia show are all set to come to Animal Kingdom in the upcoming years. Over in Hollywood Studios, a new Monsters Inc. land will replace Muppets Courtyard, and it's set to have a suspended rollercoaster that will put riders 'right in the middle of the monster action.' But the all the new stuff has meant that a slew of beloved rides and areas have been forced to close. In addition to the River of Americas, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat ride, the Dinosaur ride, and Muppet*Vision 3D are all closing or have already closed, leaving many die-hard Disney fans outraged. All the updates comes as Universal Studios' executives continues to tease expansions to its brand new theme park Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025.
Fast Company
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Disney World is closing some classic rides to build its biggest land ever
Several attractions at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom park are now closed to guests in order to make room for a new land that's being developed, Piston Peak National Park. The impacted attractions are located in Frontierland and Liberty Square. To make space for the park expansion, the following attractions are permanently closed: Rivers of America Tom Sawyer Island Liberty Square Riverboat Inspired by America's national parks Magic Kingdom's brand-new Piston Peak National Park area will be wilderness-themed. Disney has said the land is inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the history and scenery of the American frontier and its national parks. The fictional national park will feature a Disney and Pixar Cars -themed universe. According to Disney, it will be the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom's history. Disney explained some plans for the new land in a June 2025 Disney Parks Blog post. The company shared the following: 'Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails, and more, all set within the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.' The post continued: 'To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called 'Parkitecture,' which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.' Fast Company contacted Disney for more information. No opening date has been announced yet. More coming to Disney's Magic Kingdom Piston Peak National Park isn't the only renovation currently underway at the Magic Kingdom. In January 2025, Frontierland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad temporarily closed for renovations. The roller coaster is set to reopen in 2026. Here are a few more expansions coming to Disney's Magic Kingdom: A nighttime parade experience, ' Disney Starlight,' will debut on July 20. A new pirate-themed tavern, The Beak and Barrel, is set to open in late 2025, and will serve food and nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks. 'Villain's Land,' a Disney villain-themed park addition featuring attractions, dining, and shopping experiences, will be built. No opening date has been announced.
Fast Company
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Disney World is axing some classic rides to build its biggest land ever
Several attractions at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom park are closed to guests starting in July in order to make room for a new land that's being developed, Piston Peak National Park. The impacted attractions are located in Frontierland and Liberty Square. To make space for the park expansion, the following attractions are now permanently closed: Rivers of America Tom Sawyer Island Liberty Square Riverboat Inspired by America's national parks Magic Kingdom's brand-new Piston Peak National Park area will be wilderness-themed. Disney has said the land is inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the history and scenery of the American frontier and its national parks. The fictional national park will feature a Disney and Pixar Cars -themed universe. According to Disney, it will be the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom's history. Disney explained some plans for the new land in a June 2025 Disney Parks Blog pos t. The company shared the following: 'Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails, and more, all set within the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.' The post continued: 'To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called 'Parkitecture,' which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.' Fast Company contacted Disney for more information. No opening date has been announced yet. More coming to Disney's Magic Kingdom Piston Peak National Park isn't the only renovation currently underway at the Magic Kingdom. In January 2025, Frontierland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad temporarily closed for renovations. The roller coaster is set to reopen in 2026. Here are a few more expansions coming to Disney's Magic Kingdom: A nighttime parade experience, ' Disney Starlight,' will debut on July 20. A new pirate-themed tavern, The Beak and Barrel, is set to open in late 2025, and will serve food and nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks. 'Villain's Land,' a Disney villain-themed park addition featuring attractions, dining, and shopping experiences, will be built. No opening date has been announced.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Disney set to close Tom Sawyer Island and the famed Riverboat to make way for new attractions
Disney World will close Tom Sawyer Island and its famed Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for new attractions. Millions of guests visit the Orlando resort a year, with the Magic Kingdom the most popular of its four parks. Located in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island allows guests to experience a 'secret rustic hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain,' according to the resort's website. Tom Sawyer Island has been a staple at Disney World, first opening in 1973, according to D23, the official Disney fan club. To reach the attraction, visitors glide through the Rivers of America on a log raft. But from July 7, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will permanently close, for Disney to build Piston Peak National Park, which it called 'the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom.' To make way for the Cars -themed expansion, Disney will also be getting rid of the Liberty Square Riverboat. The Riverboat has allowed guests to cruise down the Rivers of America in an 'authentic steam-powered paddle wheeler,' according to the resort's website. Park-goers for decades have hopped on the Riverboat at Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom to enjoy a half-mile tour around Tom Sawyer Island. Sights included 'the early days of the American frontier,' including Harper's Mill, Fort Langhorn and Wilson's Cave Inn. Disney's 'imagineers' will build Piston Peak National Park, an expansion inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the 'history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks,' the company announced in a blog post on Tuesday. 'Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers,' Disney said. The park will be set within the universe of Disney and Pixar's Cars trilogy and incorporate so-called 'Parkitecture,' which Disney said was 'developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.' Guests will be able to explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and other attractions once construction is complete. Disney has not yet announced a date for when it expects to reveal the new attractions.
Motor 1
03-06-2025
- Business
- Motor 1
Disney Releases More Details On Its New Cars-Themed Land
Last year, Disney announced an entire land dedicated to Pixar's Cars at its Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando. Aside from a few illustrations that, actually, looked pretty awesome, the details were otherwise scarce. But today, the company has revealed new information on its next big expansion—including a name. Say goodbye to Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America (RIP), and say hello to Piston Peak National Park (which, you probably don't remember, was a real place in Disney's Planes: Fire & Rescue movie). The new Cars area will be ripe with thick pine forests and snowy mountain peaks, and include a river that runs through the entire land. It will be the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom. Photo by: Disney Disney Imagineers drew inspiration from America's national parks for this new land, with the Piston Peak mountain range inspired by Colorado's Rocky Mountains. The faux national park will also include a visitor's lodge, a Ranger headquarters, and walking trails alongside two designated Cars attractions. The first attraction, an off-road rally-style ride, will allow guests to weave through the forests and over Piston Peak on a trackless ride vehicle with new characters from the Cars franchise. Disney promises it will be "just like a real race." A second, yet-to-be-named attraction will be geared toward smaller children and families. Photo by: Disney Photo by: Disney Piston Peak National Park will extend from Liberty Square all the way to Tiana's Bayou Adventure and toward the updated Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster, which is set to re-open sometime in 2026. Guests who want to experience Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat before work begins on the new land have until July 7. Disney hasn't said exactly when the new land will open. But for such a massive expansion, don't expect to see anything until at least 2027 or 2028. More Movie Cars The Fast and The Furious Cars Were Actually Pretty Slow This Former Days Of Thunder Stunt Car Is Way Beyond Saving Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
