(KTLA) – A “Cars”-themed land is coming to Walt Disney World, bringing new rides and attractions inspired by the hit film series and its characters.
The project, however, is also “part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom,” according to Disney, meaning it’s set to displace a couple of other longtime Disney attractions.
Piston Peak National Park, as it will be called, will be built between Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland and Liberty Square, as detailed in a Disney Parks Blog post shared this week. While an exact opening date for the new land has yet to be announced, Disney confirmed that additional details, including more about the upcoming ride, will be shared at a later time.
Disney did say, however, that three attractions — Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat — will close prior to construction beginning on July 7, according to a statement provided to Nexstar’s Scott Gustin, as well as the aforementioned blog post.
The three outgoing attractions are closely related. Tom Sawyer Island is surrounded by the Rivers of America (a body of water that stretches between Frontierland and Liberty Square) while the Liberty Square Riverboat attraction operates within the river.
All three have also been around since the park’s early years.
Nevertheless, Disney World is hoping its new Piston Peak area will “continue the sweeping storytelling tradition” of the areas where it will reside, with nods to the American Frontier nestled within the attractions.
Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the fictional Piston Peak National Park (which was introduced in the “Cars” offshoot “Planes: Fire & Rescue”) will feature rivers, waterfalls, geysers and “snowcapped mountains,” according to Disney. Imagineers will also be utilizing a design tactic known as “Parkitecture,” which has been used the the National Park Service to help buildings and structures blend with the natural surroundings.
The new land will feature a family-friendly “rally race” attraction featuring characters from the “Cars” franchise.
Imagineers say the natural flow of the landscape and thoughtful sightline management are key to ensuring the new area fits seamlessly between Liberty Square and Frontierland.
This isn’t Disney’s first crack at a “Cars”-themed land, either. In 2012, fans got to step into Radiator Springs, the charming town from Pixar’s Cars franchise, for the first time at Disney California Adventure.
Nexstar’s Scott Gustin and Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel