Credit: DisneyAre you ready to race into the “wheelderness”? Walt Disney World is officially gearing up for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom! If you have been wondering what is next for the iconic Disney park, the wait is finally over. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney dropped massive new details regarding the highly anticipated Cars-themed land. Officially named Piston Peak National Park, this brand-new area will bring the beloved Disney and Pixar Cars universe directly into the heart of Frontierland.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on how this massive project will come to life. With new models and concept art now revealed, here is a complete breakdown of everything we learned about this awe-inspiring new land, including the newly announced names and exhilarating descriptions of the two brand-new attractions!
Building on the Story of Frontierland
One of the biggest questions fans have had since the initial announcement is how a Cars-themed land could possibly fit into the rustic, historic aesthetic of Frontierland. Disney has officially confirmed that Piston Peak National Park will seamlessly continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has connected Liberty Square and Frontierland since the park’s opening day.
To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park puts guests in the driver’s seat as they explore a new frontier. The storyline follows our favorite characters as they leave Radiator Springs to explore the West, taking guests on a National Park adventure with a distinct Cars twist.
Welcome to the “Wheelderness”: Architecture and Design
Imagine an awe-inspiring, majestic wilderness filled to the brim with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers, and impressive geysers. While the land’s name is taken from the fictional park in the 2014 movie Planes: Fire & Rescue, its landscape is heavily inspired by real-world locations like the Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
To ensure these buildings fit naturally into the surrounding landscapes, Walt Disney Imagineers are using “Parkitecture,” a style originally developed by the National Park Service. However, this land is built by cars, for cars! Buildings will feature brilliant “car-ified” design elements. In a brilliant stroke of park synergy, the geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch right into Piston Peak.
The Attractions: Racing Through the Mountains
The centerpiece of the D23 reveal was the highly anticipated look at the two new attractions coming to the land. We now officially have names and thrilling descriptions for both rides!
Cars Ridge Run Rally: The headlining E-ticket attraction will be an exhilarating off-road adventure officially named Cars Ridge Run Rally. Disney described this experience as a thrilling quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness” as guests compete for the “fastest lap in the west”.
- The Route: The course will take racers through the rugged beauty of America’s national parks, initiating a steep climb up Piston Peak to reach an icy, snow-covered mountaintop.
- The Descent: After conquering the frosty summit, racers will plummet down for a thrilling camelback descent.
- The Finish Line: Vehicles will navigate an exhilarating geyser field and circle the massive “Old Tankfull” geyser before sprinting to the finish line, where Lightning McQueen and Mater will be covering the race live on the Racing Sports Network.
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along: For families, Piston Peak will feature a highly entertaining secondary attraction officially named Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.
- The Theme: This family-friendly spinning flat ride is themed entirely around Miss Fritter, the fearsome and undefeated demolition derby queen from Cars 3.
- The Experience: Guests will enter her “wildest demolition derby yet.”
- The Star: The ride will feature Miss Fritter as a massive, school-bus-sized animatronic hosting a stampeding bash.
Construction Timelines and Upcoming Magic
To make way for this unprecedented expansion, massive construction is already fully underway. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are already closed to the public to allow crews to completely transform the landscape.
While it is always bittersweet to say goodbye to classic park elements, there is plenty of incredible new magic right around the bend! Imagineers are simultaneously hard at work beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, bringing to life the first-ever land inspired by the Disney Villains, promising a twisted, grand-scale expansion.
With cars from around the country fueling up to become the wildest racers in the “wheelderness,” Magic Kingdom’s future has never looked brighter. Are you ready to take on the Ridge Run Rally? Stay tuned for more updates as this great American storytelling adventure unfolds!
