Get ready for new rides, shows and lands as Walt Disney World begins the largest expansion ever with new characters and stories.
Artist rendering of new "Cars" area in Frontier Land replacing Tom Sawyers island and surrounding waterway.
Just off of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Magic Kingdom is about to undergo significant transformation. The redesign begins in Frontierland, which has already seen the remodel of Big Splash Mountain into a musical bayou wonderland for Princess Tiana.
But the changes to that ride will pale in comparison to the complete overhaul of the The Rivers of Americas and Tom Sawyer Island. That section of Frontier land will soon be the nwq home of Pixar's Cars. The water and island will give way to rugged western themed terrain for a rally race featuring Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and the rest of the four-wheeled characters.
Michael Hundgen, Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, is revved up over the new project. “We’re putting our guests in the driver’s seat to explore this new frontier". It's not just Radiator Springs—there’s a whole new wilderness to explore, complete with mountains, mudholes, and geysers. Plus, a second, more family-friendly Cars attraction is on the way.
The expansion continues beyond Big Thunder Mountain where you’ll find an entirely new, multi-acre land dedicated to Disney Villains. This area will feature two major attractions, with details yet to be released, as well as dining and shopping, bringing those dark characters out of the shadows, front and center like never before.
A new area of Magic Kingdom will be devoted to Disney's dark characters.
Together, these new additions make this the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history.
Next year will also bring new entertainment to the Magic Kingdom. The highly popular nighttime event, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will welcome a new chapter in summer 2025 called “Disney Starlight." This illuminated parade will use the latest technology to tell new stories featuring characters like Peter Pan, Anna and Elsa, and the magical Madrigal family. It's billed as a "constellation of Disney dreams brought to life by the Blue Fairy".
If guests feel they could use a break after exploring new lands entertainment, Disney has that covered too...
A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern is set to open in 2025 in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. This brand-new experience will extend the classic story and offers a welcoming haven for pirates of all ages.
The Magic Kingdom changes are part of a larger plan to add new attractions to all four Walt Disney World parks over the next few years.
-Lisa Naccarato
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