First Permits Filed for Disney World's New Cars-Themed Area, Replacing Tom Sawyer Island

Aug 12, 2024 in "Cars Land Magic Kingdom"

Posted: Monday August 12, 2024 4:35pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering is moving quickly following the recent announcement of plans to redevelop Magic Kingdom's Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America into a new Cars-themed experience.

The first permits for the project have been filed with the South Florida Water Management District today, specifically for modifications to the stormwater basin located behind Tom Sawyer Island and Big Thunder Mountain.

As is common with major projects at Walt Disney World, extensive preliminary work related to water management must be completed before new construction can begin.

Disney has announced that construction on the new Cars-themed area is slated to start in 2025.

It was confirmed today that the Cars-themed land will directly replace Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, though no closing date has been set. Disney assures guests, 'You will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.'

Describing the upcoming area, Disney stated, 'Soon, you'll be able to explore the uncharted territory of the great outdoors with an expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios' Cars. It's time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations. To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world's most iconic racers.'

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Disstevefan14 days ago

It probably will go forward albeit delayed. I was just being hopeful for myself. ;)

joanna719854 days ago

I hope Cars isn't canceled

Disstevefan14 days ago

Hey, this is my job on these boards. ;)

Disstevefan14 days ago

We are allowed to dream and hope that Cars is cancelled and Villains goes forward. ;)

Epcot82Guy5 days ago

"The project will be aimless. And, the ride vehicles will be trackless!!" -WDI/Management Parks' Corporate Motto 2025

MisterPenguin5 days ago

Yes, the ride vehicles will be trackless!!

Disstevefan16 days ago

Coming to MK Tumble Weed Racers!

Raineman6 days ago

It definitely fits the Frontierland theming.

Disstevefan16 days ago

I like this theming better than a Cars attraction...

Raineman6 days ago

Agent H7 days ago

WorldExplorer11 days ago

There's this same barely-identifiable-might-have-been-a-fan-at-one-point thing that's been at the bottom of the Nautilus pool for like nine months. At this point I'm invested in if it's ever getting out of there. But it's possible that pool is just not cleaned while the others are for whatever reason. This is possible. It did look like they recently repainted Ariel, so maybe they're refreshing.

Centauri Space Station11 days ago

I believe you. I can honestly say i never saw anything like that before and have gone several times a year since it opened. Maybe a maintenance issue occurred?