Well, we just got some HUGE Magic Kingdom news. Now, we were already aware that Disney had plans to close Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to make room for its new Cars expansion in Frontierland. However, we just got a lot of HUGE news about the new expansion and how it will relate to the rest of the park.
Piston Peak ©Disney
Piston Peak (yep, that’s its name!) will take up space in front of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and bring an entirely new area to the park, as well as two new rides. However, Disney also made some other big reveals about this area that you might have missed, so let’s talk about it.
The Cars expansion will feature tons of trees and waterfalls
There’s one thing we’ve always complained about in Magic Kingdom and that’s the lack of shade in each land. However, Piston Peak is going to bring a ton of trees in little forested areas, which means this will be one area with a lot of shade (which will be MUCH appreciated in those hotter months).
©Disney
We also learned that the area will have some waterfalls, so many that Imagineers say they lost count of how many they’re planning on putting into the new land. Water and shade? Okay, that sounds like HEAVEN. We have a feeling this part of Frontierland is going to be VERY popular in the summer.
How Piston Peak relates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
We also learned that some of the updates currently being done to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be to help it fit better into the Piston Peak area. Disney Imagineers promised rainbow geyser pools scattered around the base of Big Thunder Mountain and possibly tire treads in the dirt around it.
©Disney
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is already getting a HUGE refurbishment that also includes new track for the ride, so we’ll be looking to some other little subtle details being added to it, too.
The Inspiration for Piston Peak
When designing Piston Peak, Imagineers looked at Rocky Mountain National Park, which includes red rocks, mountains, rivers, and lots of diverse landscapes. HOWEVER, it’s also taking inspiration from existing Disney movies and even gets its name from Planes: Fire & Rescue, which is a spin-off of Cars.
©Disney
You’ll also find some inspiration for Piston Peak taken from existing Disney park buildings, including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, as well as the Grizzly Peak land in Disney California Adventure.
The ride queues
You might have missed some details about the two ride queues, too. One ride is a family-friendly ride geared towards younger kids. The queue for this ride will be housed in the park ranger lodge. This ride will also introduce a new character: Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore.
Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore ©Disney
Another attraction, a rally race ride, will race through mountain trails as you dodge geysers and splash through mud holes. The queue for this ride will be housed in the visitor lodge area of Piston Peak and will be constructed to look like an A-frame mountain lodge.
Lots of Cars elements
Piston Peak will be “car-ified” so that it looks like the perfect spot for the characters of Cars. Buildings will have features like lower windows so cars can see out of them, as well as entrances and building additions that are big enough for cars.
©Disney
Piston’s Peak architecture will be a lot like Radiator Springs in Disney California Adventure, with lots of found elements that the cars used in building the area. So expect things like old wagon wheels in the buildings.
We’re looking forward to learning even more about Piston Peak in the coming year, and we’ll be keeping an eye on construction (especially since we know Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will be closing on July 6th). So stay tuned to DFB for more
Everything we know about Piston Peak so far
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I am really sad that the boat ride is going away! That ride was an always go to when we went to the park. We had annual passes for about 12 years when we lived close to the park until 9 years ago when we moved to Texas. We have been back once since then and again went on the boat!
I’m guessing they’ll have to dismantle the paddle wheeler to get it out of there. I’d like them to increase the draft and put it on the Seven Seas Lagoon and/or Bay Lake as another water attraction/transport. I’d hate to see it just disappear.
It sounds to me that the Imagineers have listened to the guests! True Disney lovers of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyers Island were upset at the original design of these new rides. Their complaints – no water, no trees and hot dusty ride areas. Its amazing how now the emphasis is on the water falls, rushing rivers (from the pics) and trees. Also, now they added a family-friendly ride geared towards younger kids.
Thank you for listening to us. Let’s just hope Disney Corp doesn’t cut back on the budget and all of these wonderful parts disappear. This is where USA Disney parks need to take a lesson from Tokyo Disney. There’s no budget too big in Japan.
I will wait until its done to see they truly meet the designs they now talk about.
Too much change may not be great for MK. We are loosing a lot
Yeah, it’s too late D’Amaro and Iger, the damage has been done.
It’s too late to cover up your historic blunder by saying PP will have tons of shade, trees and so many waterfalls they lost count.
It’s too late to think shade, trees and waterfalls will somehow make up for lying to guests and spitting on Walt Disney’s legacy.
It’s too late. Since your announcement at D23 11 months ago, you’ve neglected to address or at least acknowledge the overwhelming guest concerns and disappointment.
It’s too late, you’ve dug your own grave. Now you’re going to bury yourselves in it, just like burying Tom Sawyers Island & Rivers of America.
You’re too late.