Disney has released NEW details on arguably the most controversial project in Disney World history.
In 2024, Disney announced that the Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America (including the riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island) would be closing to make way for a Cars-themed expansion of the park’s Frontierland. To put things very mildly, many fans were… not in favor of the decision. For many, outraged was a more apt description.
In the spring of 2025, Disney confirmed that the Rivers of America would be closing as of July 7th, with July 6th being the final day guests can experience the opening day area.
At the same time, Disney also confirmed details of the new Cars area, which will be known as Piston Peak (inspired by an area seen in the spinoff film Planes). According to the company, it will be “an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers.”
So, did this new information change anyone’s minds about the new area, how it would fit into Frontierland, and if it’s a worthy replacement for the Rivers of America? Well, we asked our readers, and got the expected litany of responses.
Let’s start with reader Andy, who said that they felt “Better after seeing the plans.” Reader Chris was also swayed by the new reveals, writing “Better !!!! The added water to keep some of the river makes a BIG DIFFERENCE….”, while reader Jon concurred, saying “I’m ready for the changes and looking forward to new attractions in a section of the park I rarely visited.”
Reader Courtney was excited for the National Parks-themed Piston Peak, writing, “My daughter LOVES the planes movie and we are a National Parks family, so we are thrilled here. Combining Disney and NPS could not be more perfect for us.”
While there were several other positive responses, as one would expect, of course, not every reaction was a happy one. Some readers, like Ruth like the plans, but lament what’s being lost. As they wrote, “I really like the plan but I am sad they are getting rid of a part of the current park for it, would be nice to just add to it. Wish I had been on the Liberty Bell when we went.”
Reader Shawn expressed something similar, writing “I think it works with the theming of Cars Land, but it’s probably a stretch for Frontierland”, while reader Katherine expressed indifference, writing, “I’ll check it out once it’s open and it’ll be fun I’m sure. But I would have been fine without this.”
Some further readers were… not indifferent at all.
Reader Doug did not hold back, writing that the plans are “Absolute garbage. Demonstrates how out of touch Disney Parks has become and how little they care about customer wishes. They’ve got 42 sq miles and have to destroy to build.”
So yeah, suffice to say that the announcement of the details of Piston Peak hasn’t settled the debate amongst Disney fans about the changes coming to the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s evolution.
The Ridiculously Detailed History of Disney World’s Frontierland
How do you feel about the changes coming to the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below.
The people (and I use that term loosely) saying nonsense like “absolute garbage” and how “out of touch” Disney is, are simply selfish. Disney isn’t out of touch with the paying customer, YOU are out of touch with reality. You’re not getting your way and that makes you mad. You are not the public. Ask your average fan, and even most regular disney attendees and they won’t have a visceral reaction like that. All it shows is you may want to seek therapy instead of getting so angry about a change in a theme park.
This really isn’t the most controversial change in Disney history. Getting rid of 20,000 leagues under the sea was also a huge change and transformed Fantasyland forever; we just didn’t have social media and blogs talking about it like we do now for Rivers of America.
Trust the Imagineers. It’s going to be better. The river is still there in Rivers of America, but it now starts with a large waterfall from a mountain starting at the riverboat landing, and it is not as wide but fast-moving instead of stagnant, like now. Frontierland turns into a mountain western town instead of a boring desert, which bends into Big Thunder much better. Plus, it makes a shortcut to Big Thunder from Liberty Square, eliminating the dead end and allowing access to the new Villans land past the Haunted Mansion. The sight lines will be great, with water movement and activity, not just stagnant like now and people will actually want to get their pictures in front of it. No one gets their pictures in front of the riverboat or Tom Sawyers Island and gets excited about it.