A Disney patent published in January 2026 may give the first real technical clue about the second Cars-themed attraction planned for Piston Peak National Park at Magic Kingdom - and it points to something unlike anything currently in the park.
Patent application US 2026/0027482 A1 describes a ride system where vehicles move along a track while an articulating arm attached to a chassis repositions the vehicle in real time - lifting it, shifting it laterally, or moving it off the ride surface entirely during the experience. The patent was filed in July 2024, just weeks before Disney announced Piston Peak at D23 in August 2024.
The second attraction remains a mystery
When Disney announced the Cars expansion at D23, two attractions were confirmed. The first is described as a thrilling rally race through the mountains, taking guests across wild terrain with geysers and mudholes - widely understood to be the headline ride at Piston Peak.
The second attraction has had almost no information released. Disney described it only as being "geared towards smaller guests" and "fun for the whole family." No ride system details, no attraction name, and no meaningful clues have appeared in the concept art released so far.
That makes the timing of this patent application worth paying attention to.
Why this patent fits a family ride
The articulating arm system described in the patent is built around a chassis that travels along a standard track. The ride vehicle - which the patent says can be "sized and shaped to mimic a desired vehicle or theme, including a ground vehicle or movie vehicle" - moves separately from the arm, allowing it to be repositioned as the ride progresses.
For a family attraction, the system offers a controlled way to deliver motion and surprise without the intensity of a thrill ride. The arm can lift a vehicle gently, shift it side to side, or simulate the feeling of uneven terrain - all at whatever intensity level the designers choose.
The patent also describes guest interaction, with a steering interface allowing riders to influence the position of their vehicle. That kind of participatory element is well-suited to a family attraction and fits the Cars franchise, where driving and racing are central to the story.
The Cars connection in the drawings
The patent drawings are generic by design - Disney does not name specific attractions or intellectual properties in utility patent filings. However, the land vehicle illustrations in the filing show a small, low-profile car-shaped ride vehicle on a flat track surface with the articulating arm attached to its side. The proportions and shape are consistent with a Cars-franchise vehicle design.
The patent also describes ride paths that allow vehicles to move between different terrain zones - fitting for a national park setting where guests might navigate trails,, or climb rocky outcrops.
What we don't know
We have no confirmation from Disney that this patent is connected to Piston Peak or the second Cars attraction. Disney files a significant number of patents, and not all of them result in a finished ride.
What we do know is that the filing date aligns with the Piston Peak development timeline, the described vehicle type matches a Cars-themed ride, and the system's capabilities fit the profile of a family-oriented attraction built around movement and terrain.
Construction on the Piston Peak area of Frontierland began in early 2025. No opening date has been announced for either attraction.
Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox