Walt Disney Imagineering is zooming ahead on plans to bring Pixar’s Cars franchise to Magic Kingdom. The new Cars themed area – titled Piston Peak National Park – will be replacing Rivers of America, Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island, all of which will permanently close very soon – on July 7, 2025.
From Disney Parks Blog:
“Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers. While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.”
Parkitecture
Disney continued to explain that “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.”
Disney plans to combine the storytelling qualities of Imagineering with this “Parkitecture” design style to separate the land from adjacent portions of the park, using trees and other visual and audio buffers. This should help avoid the unappealing bleedover of Cars themed “off-road rally” aesthetic into the adjacent Frontierland and Liberty Square area – which has been a concern of many Disney Parks fans.
Water Features
Many Disney Parks fans (including me) have lamented the expected loss of the river area and its effect on the charm of the Frontierland portion of the park. But according to Disney, “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. ” So according to Disney, we will be keeping a portion of the water features which elevate the aesthetic of this portion of the park.
Coming Soon in Magic Kingdom
Piston Peak won’t be opening for several years, but there are two new experiences opening very soon in Magic Kingdom. The Disney Starlight nighttime parade will make its debut on July 20, and Pirates of the Caribbean themed Beak and Barrel will open later this year.
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With so much change happening to the landscape of Walt Disney World, it is always best to work with an experienced travel planner who can help you prepare for the changes coming to the parks and resorts. If you are interested in planning a trip but have questions regarding when is the best time to visit, please reach out to me at Facts and Figment Vacation Planning. My travel planning services are absolutely FREE to you, and I can help you navigate the complex world of Disney vacationing while helping you score the best, hardest-to-get deals to make your vacation more affordable.
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