Cars Rides Replacing Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World has announced that the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom will replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, fully eliminating the waterway. This post shares details, concept art, and everything we know about the plan–plus commentary about why this is happening and the good, bad and ugly of this news.
To bring you up to speed, 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. Two of the highlights were exciting news about Monstropolis and the Monsters Inc. Doors Coaster as well as Villains Land in Magic Kingdom.
Alongside that, one of the biggest announcements involved a Cars reimagining of Frontierland. According to Walt Disney World, 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.” It’s time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations.
As part of a new update, Walt Disney World has now revealed that in order 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.
In case you didn’t quite grasp it the first time, this means that the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will close. The Cars expansion is not going Beyond Big Thunder–at least, not in a material way–it’s filling in the Rivers of America and replacing the land that’s currently Tom Sawyer Island.
Here’s new concept art showing the new Cars section of Frontierland:
“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.”
The new area will bring you along for the ride (pun intended) with a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains, climbing trails, and dodging geysers, in addition to a second attraction geared towards fun for the whole family.
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.
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.
Together, these new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history.
Turning to commentary, the Parks Panel at D23 felt a little too good to be true. That there were a few important details purposefully withheld, like the location of Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or how Cars and Villains would fit into Magic Kingdom, that would’ve sapped some of the energy from the room.
When it came to the Cars and Villains Land announcements, I had already assumed that, in order to accommodate both expansions, some of the Rivers of America will be lost in the process. That was also true with prior concepts that had been floated for Beyond Big Thunder. It was never entirely a beyond the berm expansion.
As I wrote in the Cars commentary, my guess was that a lot of the Rivers of America would be consumed by the expansion based on the potential size and scale of these two areas, along with Josh D’Amaro and Imagineers using the word “reimagining” in addition to “expansion” to describe the project. That also explains why Imagineering has yet to file the permit, despite indicating it would happen soon back in April. Because once the cat is out of the bag, as it is now, sentiment is going to sour on this project to at least some degree.
It wouldn’t have bothered me at all if Tom Sawyer Island is becoming Tom Sawyer Peninsula and the Rivers of America is shortened. Eliminating the dead ends at Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would be hugely beneficial from a crowd flow perspective, especially with all the people these two new lands are going to draw.
However, that’s not what this is. There will be no more Rivers of America or Tom Sawyer Island. They’re goners.
It’s not exactly paving over paradise to put up a parking lot, but it’s kinda close. This will replace tranquil waters and a lush area that offered a lovely escape from the crowds and chaos of Magic Kingdom for almost the exact opposite of that. Loud cars racing around and attractions that will undoubtedly draw those huge crowds.
Disney is undoubtedly making this decision from a guest utilization perspective. These two Cars rides will be hugely popular, and effectively expand the capacity of Magic Kingdom in the same amount of space.
It’s no secret that the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island don’t have the hourly throughput numbers as most attractions in Magic Kingdom. Eliminating them reduces operational and maintenance expenses on attractions and areas that are underutilized and don’t offer as much operational ‘bang for buck’ to the company, so to speak.
Because of this, some fans will likely be entirely okay with this decision to eliminate the Rivers of America–as is their right. Even many longtime guests have probably never even been over to Tom Sawyer Island or done a lap on the Liberty Square Riverboat. Others probably have done so infrequently over the years, and will do these new Cars attractions more. This is necessarily true–hence the ‘underutilized capacity’ term.
From my perspective, this also at least partially misses the point. Theme parks are not just the sum of their ride rosters, to be raced around and checked off one by one. They are as much defined by the spaces in between; by the absence of attractions, too.
The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island are incredible assets to Magic Kingdom not just for the guests who actively utilize these attractions. They offer serenity and delightful atmosphere even to guests who simply walk along the waterfront promenade, stopping for a moment to catch their breath and take in the view.
It’s impossible to quantify this. That’s precisely what worries me. Sometimes Disney’s decision-makers view the parks as figures on a spreadsheet, and from that perspective, it’s easy to overlook “underutilized” things that are incredibly important to the Disney theme park experience from a holistic perspective.
It’s the little moments we treasure just as much as a ride on Big Thunder, and it’s the little details or quiet moments that become indelible parts of our memories from visits to the parks over the years. These little things might seem superfluous on paper, especially when the alternative is expanding the park and growing capacity by thousands guests.
By viewing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island as underutilized real estate that’s expendable, Disney is missing the forest for the trees. Spaces like these are what help define our days in the parks, giving us little moments to pause and absorb the big attractions and experiences we’ve enjoyed. These things and places are what keep us coming back.
There’s a long term price to be paid for viewing the parks from the perspective that every square foot must be put to its most efficient use and have its capacity maximized. That’s too myopic of a view, and ignores the practical reality that guests form impressions based on the totality of their visit, with those little things or counterprogramming adding as much as the E-Tickets.
If everything is go-go-go, the guest experience as a whole can suffer. And that’s true even if the individual attractions replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island end up having higher guest satisfaction scores.
There are some things that are impossible to quantify–that guests just absorb, even without realizing it. If this sentiment sounds familiar, it’s exactly how we describe the value of atmospheric entertainment–the energy can be felt subliminally even if not consciously. It brightens the mood, even if unknowingly.
It’s the exact same idea with the Rivers of America.
There’s no guest satisfaction “metric” for how many guests per day walk along that waterfront promenade, pause for a deep breath, smile and take a photo. I mean, technically there is a metric–the ones wearing smart watches probably see their heart rate drop a little, but Disney’s survey team isn’t seeing that data. (Hopefully.)
It could be an indelible moment burned into their memory, or, more likely, a fleeting bit of happiness. But it still mattered. It was important to their day as a whole. Most critically, it was a much-needed reprieve from the often stressful nature of the world’s most popular theme park. This has long been my perspective on the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island–that they are invaluable assets that serve as counterprogramming to give guests an expand from the paved pathways and hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom.
I speak from experience. This waterfront promenade is one of my favorite places in all of Magic Kingdom, and we have so many memories of this waterfront walk late at night with a cool breeze coming off the Rivers of America, or early in the mornings as the sun flitters through the trees. It is one of those places in the park that allows us to slow down, take a deep breath, and soak up our surroundings. Maybe that makes me biased, and overly sensitive to losing the Rivers of America when the average guest reaction will be: “Who cares? Bring on Cars!”
I don’t think that will be the prevailing sentiment among Walt Disney World diehards. And I’d also like to think I’m a realist.
That’s precisely why I would’ve been okay with shortening the Rivers of America and potentially making it Tom Sawyer Peninsula, even if that meant major modifications or a permanent docking of the Liberty Belle. Because doing so also would’ve met guests where they were, removing a ‘barrier of entry’ for Tom Sawyer Island (so many guests never visit simply because the rafts over are a hassle) and allowing more kids to burn off some steam in that play area.
Meanwhile, the waterfront promenade and the ambiance it added still would’ve been there for guests to enjoy while walking past the main drag of Frontierland. It still would’ve accomplished the same goals from a guest decompression perspective. If anything, the Tom Sawyer area would’ve been appreciated by more people since it would’ve been easier to access. All while offering up space for expansion. A win-win compromise for all.
Obviously, that’s not what Walt Disney World has elected to do. So I cannot say I’m fully on board with this idea right now.
To be clear, I’m not suggesting I’ll dislike the Cars area or I’m suddenly anti-Villains Land at Magic Kingdom because of this. My feelings about the Cars attraction remain mixed (more on that in a future post since my 4:30 am commentary didn’t properly articulate it) and unequivocally positive about Villains Land in a vacuum. But I also think: not like this. They should’ve tried to thread the needle better, not sacrificing a serene section of the park that’s more of an asset than they likely realize.
I’m also not foreclosing the idea that I’ll change my mind. It’s impossible to ascertain atmosphere from concept art. Maybe the promenade that I love so much will be present in some form, or will have a spiritual successor. There do appear to be waterfalls and waterways, so perhaps those will provide a sense of serenity, natural beauty, and kinetic energy.
This Cars area all could be great in a totally different or even similar way. There are flashes of the Cars concept art that give me National Park vibes, and I like that (even if other flashes of it remind me of extreme sports). I’m willing to ‘wait and see’ and withhold full judgment. (What other option do I even have? It’s not like I can single-handedly stop this!)
For now, though, I’m a bit shell-shocked by the decision to fully eliminate the Rivers of America, and worried about how that could irreparably damage the feel of Magic Kingdom. I really hope Disney is not making this decision lightly, is focused on more than just increasing capacity, and is giving Imagineers the resources to do this right.
If we’re losing this area of the park, it had better be worth it. The marquee Cars attraction needs to be as good as Radiator Springs Racers, the themed design of the area must be superlative and in keeping of the rugged spirit of Frontierland, and the new area must have great kinetic energy and atmosphere.
They cannot deliver two overly-short attractions, a sea of concrete and some trees, along with a concept that feels at-odds with Frontierland. This has gotta be strong. They have to make the skeptics (like me) concede we were wrong about ever questioning the wisdom of replacing the Rivers of America. And I absolutely will do that if they’re able to deliver. I would love nothing more than to eat crow. I’ve gotten used to the taste over the years.
Finally, instead of being singularly fixated on increasing capacity, I wish Walt Disney World would endeavor to eliminate stress. When it comes to this, there are the usual suspects–screen time, lines, ride breakdowns, etc. But another one is offering up lovely places to decompress that bring smiles to the faces of guests.
Some of those decision-makers should go inside one of the massive Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurants during the middle of the day and count all of the people not eating anything. Just sitting there with their heads on the tables or attempting to ‘rest and recharge’ in about the most chaotic environment possible. (Nothing says ‘recharging’ quite like the midday rush at Pinocchio Village Haus!)
I’m not kidding. One important goal should be getting these people out of the loud and unpleasant restaurants and into actual serene spaces that offer nice ambiance and actually will allow them to mentally refuel for a brief bit. Walt Disney World needs to understand that Magic Kingdom is a world-class theme park, and those two words have meanings beyond just the fanciest and most modern rides. There should be a concerted effort to not just keeping it a “park” but enhancing that angle. It may not be captured on guest satisfaction surveys, but it’s as big a part of what separates Disney from an average amusement park as the envelope-pushing attractions.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What is your reaction to this announcement that Walt Disney World is replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island with Cars rides? Do you think the two all-new Cars rides coming to Magic Kingdom are “worth it”? Do you agree or disagree with our sentiment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Great article and totally agree on the improtance of this area for taking a break in the parks. Where are parents of young kids supposed to go now when the lines are long and the kids need to blow off steam? Especially if the parents want to be able to use rider swap on some of the bigger attractions, so they don’t want to go back to the resort. One problem with Hollywood Studios is that there is no playground for kids (seriously, how did they miss on creating a Toy Story themed playground!? I feel like there’s some major untapped potential there, but it would need a lot of shade, so maybe not such a great idea…maybe a Monsters themed playground?). Now it seems like they are taking out Tom Sawyer’s Island in MK and probably the Boneyard in AK (I am assuming since its in Dinoland) to make room for these expansions. Are parents of young kids not as big of a demographic as I think they are? My husband and I went in 2011 and 2015 pre-kids, and now we are planning a trip because we have a princess-loving almost 4 year old. I just hope the play areas are still there when our family goes in Jan 2025 with our 1 and 4 year old girls. Any news yet on timelines for destroying the best places for parents to relax while kids decompress in the theme parks? Or suggestions for other places to play in the parks? I know about the play area near Test Track in Epcot, and the indoor one in Dumbo, but in January, I was hoping for some outdoor, fresh air play time.
Tom Sawyer’s Peninsula would be so ideal, because them we could take the stroller and get there and back more easily. I love that idea so much and really hope Disney reconsiders. Though my kids would think a raft was fun.
I’ve never replied in the comments before but had to write to say that you captured my concerns perfectly here, I couldn’t agree more with you. I’m visiting again soon and have always appreciated this area of the park as a place to decompress, switch the pace as a response to the overstimulation in other areas of the park. As somewhere that has led the way for so many, this new project is at risk of setting us back decades and throwing out the “secret sauce” which has made it such a special place to visit. How ironic that they announce this at the same time as producing movies like Inside Out 2 which delve into our emotional responses to our surroundings. I hope they change this decision or at least reconsider a partial closure of the space.
You – and Tom – have got this exactly right. The river walk is a true decompressing experience and we are one of the ones who always go to Tom Sawyer’s island, again for the peaceful serenity of it.
That said, let’s be realistic. Neither of these areas contributes to what Disney now seems to value most: additional revenue from guests. I can just imaging the bean counters salivating over how the Cars ride can be an individual lightening lane, with a virtual queue only, that people will have to pay for to avoid a two hour wait in line.
You only have to look at what they did with Tron. It’s STILL an almost impossible-to-get virtual queue with no standby queue, so you’re pretty much forced to buy it as an individual lightening lane if you want to ride. And all of this for a 60 second ride that – I’m sorry – just isn’t that good. Especially when compared to Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot.
If anyone had doubts that Disney now values revenue over guest experience, this plan is proof positive.
Well written, Tom – and many commenters. On the heels of the WDWRR being closed for years while Tron was built, the train could have been expanded and allowed for salvaging some of RoA and TSI as was done in DL for Galaxy’s Edge. Instead, we are losing the frontier of Frontierland. I picture the current walkway being hidden next to a large mountain much the same way SDMT towers next to Under the Sea in “New Fantasyland.” I also now feel strongly that the Tiana’s salt mine and flume will feel even more out of place with the loss of the river. Then there is the Liberty Square end which will lose its focal point from the Hub. The Mansion will no longer look out over the river as it should being inspired by the Hudson River Valley. We are back in January and will need to spend some extra time in Frontierland and Liberty Square. Maybe they can add another tombstone next to Mr. Toad’s at the HM’s exit.
Dear Lord, can we please have Michael Eisner and Joe Rohde back?
This announcement has me even more glad that we have a trip planned this year. We have been to WDW 3 times, and we have not yet experienced the riverboat or Tom Sawyer island. Not because we didn’t want to, but other things just were priority at the time. But, like others, I still savored the serene moments walking by this area and taking photos. And, I had already planned to make sure we experienced them the next time we planned a trip. It will be even more sweet now knowing that this history of the park will soon be erased. I too am really surprised and saddened that this was the decision they made.
Excellent article – having visited all of these places several times, I was originally in the “who cares about tom sawer island” camp, but I’m left now with some hesitation, even though my son loves Cars! Some of my favorite memories are baked into our down time. To that point, if they ever get rid of that dead-end alley directly off Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, I’ll be devastated, and so will my energetic toddler!
No. Just no. Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America is a big part of what makes the Magic Kingdom what it is.
This news made me so sad! Strolling the river promenade at dusk is one of my absolute favorite things to do at Disney World. We were there last week when it was pouring rain, and for about an hour my son and another kid played checkers over on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It was really a magical moment, sitting there on the landing, cozy out of the rain, watching some kids who’d never met before, bond over an old-timey game. Those unquantifiable moments are, as Tom says, a huge part of what makes Disney parks special. Walt knew a thing or two!
Disney for some reason must feel that Frontierland needs to be completely over-hauled, and I just don’t get it. I have always felt that it was one of the most perfect lands of any Disney park. It just didn’t need to be messed with. The atmosphere is incredible and is just one of those lands that you just want to soak up, and the Rivers of America is one of the main reasons behind that. And the 4 attractions….yes there were only 4, but all 4 were just fantastic.
-Splash Mountain- my favorite attraction ever and one of the most beloved WDI creations of all time.
-Country Bear Jamboree- one of the funniest, quirkiest, and charming shows that had a lasting impact on fans.
-Tom Sawyer Island- a beautiful serene respite from the world’s busiest theme park, and just such a fun place to explore.
-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- probably my least favorite of the four, but that’s not saying much as I think it’s one of the best themed coasters anywhere.
How could 1 land house all 4 of those brilliant attractions, plus some of the best atmosphere in the park?
The good news:
Yes, Big Thunder is still there, BUT at the rate they are going, a massive re-imagining wouldn’t surprise me.
Yes, they did a good job with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It looks nice, great AA’s and has some good music BUT will it have the beloved lasting legacy as Splash?….I’m doubtful.
And the Musical Jamboree…yes the bears look great and I’m glad they’re still around BUT the quirky charm is absent.
Now Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will be demolished to make room for an IP that is divisive to say the least.
I totally agree with your take. It boils down to the parks losing some of what makes them special and magical. Those quiet spaces where you see glimpses of Disney creativity that you can enjoy while you rest or cool off in the shade. Beauty to gaze at, or unique views of coasters and rides from a quiet corner with themed music playing softly nearby. That’s what makes it different from Six Flags.
Can’t they just wait until us old-timers have died off before taking away EVERYTHING? Here I am, still smarting over the loss of River Country, and they decide to go and do this. This isn’t just money grubbing or poor decision-making, this is a soul-sucking, obscene disregard for beauty. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. As if all the other garbage from modern day Disney wasn’t enough, they’re going to take that beautiful river and all those trees. Don’t they know that this is where parents often take their sensory-overloaded kids for some downtime? Where people go to just be? To take a breather to recover from standing in all the expensive lines they gave their right arm for? If any Disney execs read this I want you to know that you disgust me. You are bad, greedy humans with rotten souls.
Let me preface my comment with the fact that I have never been to Walt Disney World. I have been to Disneyland many times. This news shocks me! I would be devastated if they decided to take out The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island (which it will always be to me, even if they call it Pirate’s Lair). This is such a beautiful and peaceful area of the park and a great respite from the crowds. With all of the space that they have to expand at Walt Disney World, I find it hard to believe they could not have put two Cars attractions somewhere else without having to destroy the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island.
One of the first statements from the new Walt Disney AA: “When we were thinking of building a place where families can get together, and relax, and enjoy some of the same experiences I did when I was a boy in Marceline, we decided it was important to remember the pioneers who helped create our country as they explored the Rivers of America. It’s always been my dream that one day we would find a higher-capacity replacement for those natural, overgrown, underused spaces, so even more families can enjoy a character-driven property. Just as I’ve said about the Disneyland Park in California, The Magic Kingdom will never be finished.”
My earlier question to you is now answered. And it su@ks! My hubby and I had our first visit to Tom Sawyer Island together since our parents never took us as kids. We absolutely love it. I feel like I am jumping into a Mark Twain novel. Then we would jump onto the riverboat to extend that feeling, wondering if we’d see Mr. Twain’s spirit onboard. We too enjoyed the walk around the water to avoid the crowds. So much of my original Magic Kingdom is not so magical anymore.
We will be going back to the park this December. Our focus will be on this area. Lots of pictures and videos. Then someday, we’ll walk through and say “Remember when this was the river with Tom Sawyer Island?” Just like we do for 20,000 leagues.
Thanks for the precise write-up.
Why not expand Aunt Polly’s into a decent restaurant, and use the Lilly Belle for evening or even fireworks/dessert cruises? It’s really lovely at night.
The Disney Legacy of the integrity of immersion and theme has always set the Magic Kingdom apart from other parks. That concept seems to be lost.
Oof, I agree wholeheartedly on this one. I’m not keen to imagine Cars as a mud track dirt race thing, but to lose the serene river walk and island respite for it would be a crime! I am encouraged by more of the National Parks vibes, but am worried it will lean the other way. One of our favorite revive spots in AK is Nomad Lounge, along the river, enjoying the lush foliage. I’m with you that I hope they make me eat my words and give us some calm mountain waters to retreat to. Please, please, at the very least, smooth switchbacks along mountain ravines and not dusty off-roading
First the possibility of losing Muppets in 3d and now magic kingdom TS island and rivers of America?!? Oh boy. This sounds like it is going to be a concrete jungle. All the beautiful water and trees that bring so much joy on a hectic hot day when crowds are driving me crazy. Sigh….
Such a great take here – especially about the interstitial spaces and getting out of the hustle and bustle to reduce stress. That’s what I love the most about Disney when they do it right. I don’t want to see WDW become a regional theme park packed with attractions. The magic comes from the little things and the overall feel, to me.
It’s interesting how the river boat dock is remaining. Reimagined to something.
Yuck! I’d rather they hadn’t announced any of this from MK than to get rid of the river completely. Tom Sawyer island or even ending Riverboat service I can live with, but having a body of water there makes a huge difference to the feel of the park. This would be a step backwards.
It will be different and it could be great!