Disney Reveals Two Cars Rides in Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom: Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin & Ridge Run Rally
In addition to the massive model of Piston Peak on the show floor of the D23 Expo, Imagineers took to the stage for “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress” to share the news about the Cars miniland coming to Magic Kingdom. This covers the ride names revealed, new concept art for the attractions, backstory, and more revealed during the Parks Panel. Plus commentary about why one of these is a confusing choice for the serene landscape of a National Park and more.
For starters, just a quick “plug” for checking out the Piston Peak model if you have the chance to attend D23. That’s probably an obvious recommendation, so I’d add the less obvious one to attendees to make a point of seeing “Exploring Nature in Piston Peak” on the Center Stage in the “Imagineering: Horizons” pavilion. I saw this presentation on day one, but it’s my understanding it’ll be different/expanded on Sunday to incorporate what was just announced.
As basic background, the landscape of Piston Peak National Park is pulled from the existing Cars cinematic universe via Planes: Fire & Rescue. The animated version was inspired by Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, which includes both the landscape itself and the architecture, which is a mix of “caritecture” (architecture for cars) and “parkitecture” (architecture that defines the National Park Service) as the movie features a mix of landmarks, lodges, and structures that are a mix of Yellowstone meets Yosemite, but built to accommodate cars.
Imagineers tell us that the natural landscape of the Piston Peak National Park in Magic Kingdom is actually being inspired by Rocky Mountain National Park. The Imagineering project team working on the Cars area visited RMNP, and it’s a good fit for the centralized location in Frontierland, tying together the land in a cohesive manner.
It probably also helps that this Piston Peak National Park will feature beautiful buttes, rushing rapids, cool canyons, and a variety of other stunning landscapes–that kind of variety can be found at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Turning to the Parks Panel presentation, taking the stage were Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative for Walt Disney World and Imagineer Jason Grandt. Here’s what they shared about the two attractions coming to Piston Peak, sprinkled with some of our commentary:
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along
Making its public debut, the second attraction coming to Piston Peak was announced: Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.
Inspired by the “Diva of Demolition” from Cars 3, Michael announced that the ride will feature Miss Fritter as a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic” who hosts a stampeding bash at her “wildest demolition derby yet.”
In case you’re unfamiliar with her, Miss Fritter is the undefeated “Crazy Eight” champion and a legendary demolition derby school bus at Thunder Hollow Speedway, who is modeled after a battered 1970s school bus.
Miss Fritter features “smoke stacks of doom,” a sharp spinning stop sign with a razor edge, and a collection of license plates from the Cars she’s defeated. She used to work as a bus driver before turning her combative weekend hobby into a full-time demolition racing career.
Despite her intimidating appearance, Miss Fritter has a comedic edge and becomes a Lightning McQueen superfan after crossing paths with him in the derby.
Earlier this weekend, we saw our first glimpse at Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, thanks to its presence in the massive model of Piston Peak National Park in the Imagineering booth on the show floor at D23 Expo.
Looking at the model, the ride will be similar to Cars Quatre Roues Rallye or Cars Race Rally in Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris, a family-friendly spinning flat ride where cars spin in circles while switching and sliding between rotating turntables.
If that’s accurate–and I assume it is because Disney didn’t tout the innovative ride system or anything–it really makes me wonder why they’ve been so secretive about Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.
When Walt Disney World released the Piston Peak Fun Map last summer, the second ride was a conspicuous omission. The second ride was also blurred out in the model and fly-through we saw during a media preview last summer.
At the time, we noted that it was interesting that Disney was being so secretive about what was likely just a flat ride. We assumed it was because they hadn’t settled on a ride system yet. That wasn’t the point of any of the Piston Peak stuff, so we didn’t really dwell on it.
Then came the release of Disney’s Filing for an Innovative Arm Ride System Patent. That offered an alternative explanation: Disney did not want to inadvertently reveal the subject of a pending patent application, so out of an abundance of caution, they both blurred out the ride in the fly-through video and kept it off the Fun Map.
My best guess is that Disney hasn’t pulled back the curtain on Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along until now because they’ve spent a ton of time focused on how Piston Peak National Park fits Frontierland and will be a stunning natural landscape. They even have me convinced, and I was a staunch critic of removing the Rivers of America!
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along doesn’t really fit that narrative. Having a demolition derby in the middle of a National Park makes no sense whatsoever, and would be an easy way to poke a hole in the serene and peaceful escape angle of Piston Peak. Honestly, it seems like such an odd choice when more well known characters are right there, or original characters are possible!
It’s not like guest satisfaction surveys are reflecting an intense desire to see more Miss Fritter representation in the parks. The ride premise could’ve been Mater working on a ‘dancing’ merit badge and dressed in a Scouts uniform. I’m fine with a straightforward flat ride for families (our daughter loves them), I just hoped for one with a more tranquil, woodsy aesthetic.
At least a rally race makes some semblance of sense and is nominally plausible–even at least for suspension of disbelief–inside a National Park. Speaking of which…
Cars Ridge Run Rally
Further details were also revealed around Piston Peak’s previously announced racing attraction. Imagineer Jason Grandt introduced the crowd to Cars Ridge Run Rally and described the experience as a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness” as they compete for the “fastest lap in the west.”
The course will take racers through the rugged beauty of America’s national parks, including a climb up Piston Peak itself, where an icy, snow-covered mountaintop awaits. Jason shared that he’s especially excited to experience the frosty summit at night.
After reaching the top, racers will plummet down for a camelback descent and later navigate an exhilarating geyser field. The race ends by circling the Old Tankfull geyser before a sprint to the finish line where Lightning McQueen and Mater are covering the race live on Racing Sports Network.
This attraction looks great. My favorite part of Radiator Springs Racers is the very beginning around to the reveal of the waterfall, and this looks like it’ll be a more thrilling version of that, but extended to an entire attraction. Really looking forward to the views, scenery, and even the ride profile. Cars Ridge Run Rally has the potential to become a modern classic.
As noted above, fans who visit the D23 slow floor can get an up-close look at those off-road challenges – plus ridges, rivers, mud flats, tree-covered trails, and more – at the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, where a detailed 225-square-foot scale model showcases the entire Piston Peak National Park project. If you haven’t already, check it out. (Fingers crossed that this comes to Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but I doubt there’s the space for it. Again, this is massive.)
Revolutionary Ride Technology and Construction
Cars Ridge Run Rally will debut a completely new ride vehicle, designed not to simulate an off-road car, but to be one. Michael explained that the attraction design is unlike typical theme park systems, promising that guests will “feel every bump, drop, and rock because this vehicle’s tires and suspension are truly driving over and reacting to them.”
Progress is already “fully underway” and Michael described the updates that can be seen from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue as “Imagineering in the round,” for a racing experience unlike anything else in the world.
Although it wasn’t discussed during the Parks Panel, this is a new ride system being used for Cars Ridge Run Rally, but it is not a trackless one. Imagineer Jason Grandt confirmed that to us on the show floor. He also confirmed what’s obvious from the 2026 concept art, which is that the side-by-side racing component has been nixed in favor of a single ride track.
Another fun fact is that the ride vehicles have three seats per row, similar to Test Track or Radiator Springs Racers. And you know what that means (or should): Single Rider Line!
Piston Peak National Park Set in Frontierland
Cars from around the country are fueling up to be the wildest racer in the “wheelderness.” Of course, we know that fans are curious to see how the exciting new backdrop for the big rally race will fit into the waters, landscapes, and storytelling at Magic Kingdom.
Today, we are excited to share that Piston Peak National Park will continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has crossed Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day.
Since the early days of Magic Kingdom, adventurous guests have traveled across space and time as they pass from Liberty Square to Frontierland. Starting with architectural influences from upstate New York and colonial America in Liberty Square, before traveling to a bear-y fun concert in the North Woods, a stop by New Orleans at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and ending in the Arizona bluffs at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
At the heart of all these stories are heroic characters with a belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams. To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom.
Welcome to Piston Peak National Park
Welcome…Welcome to Piston Peak Park. Yeah, welcome. (Set to the the tune of “Welcome to Radiator Springs,” obviously.)
Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snow-capped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers. While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area, as noted above, and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.
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. 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.
From the outside, trees will provide a natural barrier between the off-road rally and other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Rugged mountains with dramatic peaks will be nestled along a calming waterway across from Grizzly Hall and soaring geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of our off-road rally.
Our Commentary
Rehashing what I wrote previously in the commentary to the model photo dump, seeing the new model of Piston Peak National Park model and hearing from the Imagineers leading the project has me feeling better about a Cars miniland being added to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
Since publishing that post, I’ve spent extensive time poring over the Piston Peak model, talking to more Imagineers on the show floor, and hearing the first version of their presentation. Everything I’ve heard makes me more excited about Piston Peak.
That is, until tonight. It’s hardly make or break, but I’m not a fan of Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.
More than anything else, I’m just befuddled by it. This isn’t a character anyone cares about, it’s tonally ill-suited for this area, and Imagineering has otherwise made such a concerted effort to carefully integrate Cars into Frontierland.
I just do not get this choice, when there had to be an infinite number of more logical alternatives. Thankfully, it’s one small section of an otherwise impressive land…but still, a very perplexing and unnecessary choice.
Otherwise, as I’ve learned more about this project and the Imagineers bringing it to life, I’ve gone from quite critical to skeptical but hoping for the best. Now, I’m somewhere between cautiously optimistic and flat-out optimistic.
Piston Peak is going to add an incredibly detailed and lush landscape to Frontierland, and will add depth and dimensionality to the environment that wasn’t there before. Obviously, it’ll be very different from what was there before, but it should be a tremendous asset to this half of Magic Kingdom.
Not only does this model look fantastic, but it also looks perfectly tailored to my tastes. One thing that I cannot get over is just how dissimilar Piston Peak and Cars Land in Disney California Adventure look. In fact, if you asked me to compare this to its closest counterpart at DCA, the land I’d pick wouldn’t be Cars Land at all. It would be Grizzly Peak. This is obviously an area based on Cars, as will be clear from the fact that guests are riding around in Cars on both rides.
However, the placemaking and themed design look much more National Park-coded to me than anything I can recall from the Cars film franchise. Personally, I really appreciate that. If this model is reproduced as-is in Magic Kingdom, it will fit Frontierland. (Minus Miss Fritter.)
Of course, we can still mourn the Rivers of America removal, but at the same time, Walt Disney World has its foot on the gas pedal with this project. Given that and the practical reality that Magic Kingdom currently has a Giant Dirt Pit on the west half of a park that puts the OG EPCOT Dirt Pit to shame, we should all want the best possible outcome.
Suffice to say, the Piston Peak National Park model is incredibly reassuring, and is going to win over a lot of the skeptics. I strongly suspect that many of those same skeptics will become outright optimists once they hear from the Imagineers at the helm, as there’s a talented team behind this that should deliver. Stay tuned to the Parks Panel for more!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the Piston Peak National Park plan? Are you similarly confused by Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along? Or do you not care? What about Cars Ridge Run Rally? Pleasantly surprised by the water features and the rest of the natural environment? Thoughts on the consideration Imagineers are giving to the sightlines and creating a lush landscape? Cautiously optimistic? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? 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!
Agree- the Miss Fritter choice is so odd!
I thought the whole point of Cars land was to provide a reassuring/friendly alternative to ‘scary’ content in Villains land for the youngest visitors. She’s quite a visually scary/threatening character for very little ones.
As you say there are loads of characters kids would much prefer (surely just give Mater or Lightning McQueen a headliner) – this is a very odd choice.
I don’t know if I am looking forward “feeling every bump, drop, and rock because this vehicle’s tires and suspension are truly driving over and reacting to them.” I think MK already has enough attractions feeling like an off-road car. Yes, I am looking at you Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs and Big Thunder.
Neither of the rides seem like they’ll be reasonable replacements for Tomorrowland Speedway. And with the lengthy lineup of reimaginings and new attractions coming up, none of which involve it, it’ll be interesting to see if we’ll be stuck with the gasoline fumes for the foreseeable future.
The rally track looks really short. Not even going all the way round the area with the spinning ride taking up way to much area.
I, too, am puzzled about Miss Fritter. A minor character from a third movie in a ride that makes no sense within even the Piston Peak National Park setting. Perhaps an imagineer has a Cars 3/Miss Fritter-loving child and nobody else cared enough about the kiddie ride to argue. Ha. I’m also still unclear on whether this is just spinning or if it’s bumper cars? Anyway, odd choices all around by a group of imagineers who, to their credit, seem to be trying their darndest to make Cars fit into Frontierland.
Based on the concept art and model, Miss Fritter’s looks like a clone of the Cars ‘Four Wheels Rally’ ride in Paris. That ride is based on the Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree / Alien Swirling Saucers ride system, but instead of swinging from side to side, the vehicles spin freely.
What Andy says in reply was essentially confirmed by imagineers at the pavilion at D23 – on stage for the second presentation Tom mentions they called it something like a “figure eight track with teacups on top” and when I spoke with an imagineer next to the model after that talk, he clarified for me that it would not be like teacups where you are in control of the spinning, rather it will spin on its own, in a different way depending on the car you are in / the composition of the people in your car.
I kind of like that the “tame” flat ride “for younger kids” is themed around the demolition derby, which was one of the more intense sequences from Cars 3. Younger kids might feel like they’re getting something dangerous and exciting with this one.
Just to level-set, Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along is bumper cars right? I’m fine with it, kids love bumper cars.
Based on the concept art and model, it looks like a clone of the Cars ‘Four Wheels Rally’ ride in Paris. That ride is based on the Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree / Alien Swirling Saucers ride system, but instead of swinging from side to side, the vehicles spin freely.
I’m still mourning the loss of RoA. I’ll admit the model looks cool, but they could have put this anywhere else rather than trying to shoe horn it into Frontierland and twist themselves into pretzels trying to make it somehow make sense that there’s cars in the supposed frontier. I’m also incredibly underwhelmed by the amount of water. There’s mentions of rushing rapids but those don’t seem to be visible at all in the actual model? And the small stretch of river (or stream more like) won’t have the same vibe as RoA with the track of the ride right there. It’s still just such a massive disappointment to see such a scenic area and so much water paved over in favor of so much concrete and fancy rock work. Grizzly Peak at DCA is beautiful, but I’m not sure they can pull that off if they plant new trees that will take years to mature.
The attraction looks fun, but I’m not optimistic it’ll be worth what we lost. It would have still been fun if they’d placed this at DHS instead of MK.
I would say that I’m “open to optimism” on this land, although I will have to see it in person. I think the model looks very cool in isolation, my main worry is that Frontierland overall will be too disjointed to create a true sense of place. But we’ll see, again, I’m open to the idea of this working well.
The second ride does seem like a discordant choice. Yeah, dancing or maybe ice skating or something seems like it would make much more sense. And also, from Triceratops Spin to Swirling Saucers, it seems like rides like this (rides that rely on lots of spinning) are often under utilized.
My first thought was that the Miss Fritter animatronic looks kind of terrifying I have an easily-spooked toddler who I am confident would not get within a 100 ft radius of it. Hopefully she’ll be up for it by the time this land opens, but seems like a weird choice for the “tamer” ride in an area which seems like it should be catering to younger families anyway. The rest of the Land looks amazing though!