Disney World fans are furious after the theme park announced it will close a popular attraction to make way for a new Cars land.
This past weekend, Disney Experiences President Josh D’Amaro unveiled a slew of new additions to the Happiest Place on Earth, including an Encanto river ride, an Indiana Jones attraction and a Zootopia show.
He also revealed that they are working on three brand new areas: one themed around the Disney Pixar film Monsters Inc., another based on the beloved Cars franchise, and a third dedicated to Disney’s villains.
But the news was met with mixed reactions from the theme park’s loyal fans.
While many were excited about the upcoming expansions, some were disappointed to find that they would have to say goodbye to another part of the park to make way for the Cars area.
Disney World fans were outraged after the theme park announced the closure of a popular attraction to make way for a new Cars land
This past weekend, Disney Experiences President Josh D’Amaro (pictured) unveiled a slew of new additions coming to the Happiest Place on Earth
The company said that the River of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom would be transformed into the new Lightning McQueen-themed area. This means that the Liberty Square Riverboat ride would close permanently.
Fans of the attractions immediately shared their displeasure via X, formerly Twitter.
“This makes me very sad. The Liberty Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island are such a classic part of Magic Kingdom,” one person wrote.
‘This is so disappointing to me. Magic Kingdom used to be my favorite park because of how late it was open and how peaceful and fun it was to walk around in Frontierland, since it’s one of the least populated areas of the park,’ someone else chimed in. ‘It’s turning into a sh*t show and concrete jungle now.’
“Walt never intended his theme parks to be a concrete jungle. He was inspired by taking his daughters to the park,” another user scathingly said.
“His designs were inspired by his small town, his love for America and all its beauty. River of American is an essential element/landmark for the parks, just like the castle.”
“This is horrible. Why would you take away a beloved part of the park for a resort with endless land?” asked another fan.
“They’re taking the Walt out of WDW,” read a fifth tweet, while a sixth said, “Man… they really want to kill everything original in the parks.”
“WDW is being stripped down. People don’t realize the things that made it special and the best in the world are being removed,” someone else tweeted.
This included three brand new areas – one themed around the Disney Pixar film Monsters Inc., another based on the beloved Cars franchise (seen) and a third dedicated to Disney’s villains
While many were excited for the upcoming additions, some were sad when it was announced that they would have to say goodbye to another part of the park for Cars land
The company said the River of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, as well as the Liberty Square Riverboat ride (seen here), would close
“It goes from a theme park with coherent stories and lands to a regular theme park/carnival, with random IPs standing next to each other. It’s a slow death.”
“A few weeks ago I was sitting in Liberty Square enjoying the atmosphere. The Liberty Belle riverboat was getting ready for her first trip of the day, sending loud, rhythmic clouds of steam into the air,” wrote another user.
‘I never expected that two months later the chance to relive that moment would be lost forever.
“We are losing much more than we think. This should be a wake-up call for everyone who loves Walt Disney World.”
“I feel exactly the same… literally can’t believe this is happening. It makes me sick,” another person replied.
“I’ve always loved Tom Sawyer Island… A welcome oasis of calm during a day at MK (Magic Kingdom). Would be a great loss, for me,” agreed another Disney fan.
Others, however, praised the decision. One wrote: ‘Walt wanted a family park that moved with the times, I loved The Library Belle too, but that needs to change.’
“As a modern Disney fan, I have no interest in Tom Sawyer Island and am fine with it going away,” said someone else.
‘I understand that some fans are nostalgic for EVERY attraction on opening day, but sometimes things have to change.
‘It was already a hassle to get there on a raft, lol.’
Fans of the rides immediately took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their dismay
However, others praised Disney’s decision to modernize the park
“I’ve been to Disney so many times. I’ve never done anything this boring,” a third user revealed.
“I won’t miss the annoying riverboat horn when I walk through Liberty Square,” admitted a fourth.
“The only ones who care are Disney adults. This is building for the next generation,” another tweet read.
The new Cars land will feature two eye-catching attractions. One will be “focused on smaller guests and fun for the whole family,” while the second “invites you to an exciting rally race through the mountains,” according to WDWMagic.com.
“Adventure across rugged terrain as you race across the landscape, climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and – Mater’s favourite – splashing through mud puddles,” it adds.
“To make way for this entirely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast, rugged terrain for a rally race featuring some of the world’s most iconic drivers,” the company said in a press release.
The new Cars land will feature two eye-popping attractions, one of which will “invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains,” according to WDWMagic.com
The villain-themed area is being added as an expansion to Magic Kingdom, so nothing needs to change for that
It’s not yet clear when exactly the Liberty Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will close, but Disney says construction won’t begin until next year, meaning you can still enjoy them until the end of 2024.
“Before construction kicks into full swing next year, guests will have ample time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it stands today,” the report said.
Another attraction that will be closed due to the new updates to the park is Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom. This attraction is being converted into the Indiana Jones attraction.
DinoLand is getting a new theme: a tropical American area, which will feature the park’s very first Encanto attraction.
At Hollywood Studios, Monsters Inc. Land will feature a suspended roller coaster that will put visitors “in the middle of the monster action.”
Disney has not yet confirmed where the new area will be located, but some fans suspect it will replace Muppets Courtyard, which would mean the MuppetVision 3D attraction would close.
The villain-themed area is being added as an expansion to Magic Kingdom, so nothing needs to be changed for that.
“This land will be home to the villains you know and the ones you loathe, which means we’ll live happily ever after… It may feel like a distant dream,” Josh said as he announced it.
