At D23 Brazil, Disney offered a glimpse into the new Cars-themed attraction planned for Magic Kingdom's Frontierland by showing a test video of the ride system.
The video (see below) appears to confirm our previous report that the attraction will use a trackless, all-terrain ride system. This marks a significant departure from the traditional slot-car approach seen in other Disney car attractions like Test Track at EPCOT and Radiator Springs Racers in California.
The concept art released earlier raised questions about how this new ride would function, as the images showed cars navigating rugged outdoor terrain with no visible track or guide slots. This led to speculation that Disney Imagineering might be using a different, possibly more advanced, ride system to deliver the promised experience of "climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers, and splashing through mudholes."
The test video presented at D23 Brazil seems to confirm these speculations, showing an all-terrain ride system that bears similarities to Dynamic Attractions' "Automatic Guided All-Terrain Vehicle." This ride technology allows vehicles to handle steep inclines, declines, rapid acceleration, and navigate challenging terrain—all without the use of fixed tracks. The test footage demonstrates cars crossing paths and maneuvering independently across rugged terrain, providing a glimpse of the immersive and unpredictable ride experience Imagineers are aiming for. Here is a look at a demonstration of the ride system from Dynamic Attractions.
Dynamic Attractions, a long-time collaborator with Disney, has previously worked on high-profile rides like Test Track, Radiator Springs Racers, and Flight of Passage. Their "all-terrain" technology, with its ability to operate indoors and outdoors seamlessly while supporting near-miss elements, seems well suited for the kind of experience hinted at in the concept art and Disney's description.
The new Cars attraction, set against the backdrop of Frontierland, aims to deliver a ride experience where guests feel as if they're truly racing across rugged landscapes. The trackless ride system, with its adaptability to various terrains and dynamic ride paths, looks set to give guests an unpredictable and exciting adventure, unlike anything currently at Disney World.
Stay tuned for more updates as Disney continues to refine and reveal details about this upcoming addition to Magic Kingdom.
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