Land Clearing Preparations Begin Behind Magic Kingdom for Cars-Themed Expansion

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Construction Equipment and Land Clearing Behind Magic Kingdom for Cars Expansion

Posted: Saturday April 26, 2025 1:!5pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Visible signs of early construction activity are now appearing behind Magic Kingdom, the next major step as Disney gears up for the Cars-themed expansion project.

Construction Equipment and Land Clearing Behind Magic Kingdom for Cars Expansion

Heavy machinery and silt fencing have been spotted in place at a site located backstage, near Floridian Way behind Big Thunder Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. According to earlier permit applications, this area is expected to serve as laydown yards — temporary construction zones used for storing materials, staging equipment, and supporting ongoing work during the multi-year redevelopment.

Construction Equipment and Land Clearing Behind Magic Kingdom for Cars Expansion

Once cleared, the laydown yards will serve as a critical support base for the major transformation ahead, which includes the complete replacement of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America with a new off-road rally-themed Cars attraction.

Wide view of the new Frontierland, with two Cars-themed attractions replacing Tom Sawyer Island

Recent permit filings by Walt Disney Imagineering also show preparations for a trailer compound nearby, which will likely house project management offices for the expansion.

Disney has previously announced that construction on the new Cars-themed area is scheduled to begin in 2025, with more visible changes expected in the coming months. A closing date for Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square River Boat attractions is still to be announced.

Cars Concept Art

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mattpeto10 days ago

I think they made their peace with sunsetting TSI and RoA. Trying to stick another IP seems even more problematic.

JD8010 days ago

Almost anything is possible. It just costs time and money.

donaldtoo10 days ago

Can you say platitudinous…?! :cyclops:;)

Disney Analyst10 days ago

It's but another story, on the great big beautiful Carousel of Progress.

Chester&Hester Enthusiast10 days ago

God, that's so depressing.

WaltWiz190110 days ago

pretty much exactly how I feel, especially the last sentence. the Ranger Woodlore "carsona" wouldn't rub me the wrong way nearly as much if it didn't feel like they put it in to woo the critics of this project by saying "See, we care about these long-underused classic characters! Everything's gonna be all right!"

donaldtoo10 days ago

Disney Analyst10 days ago

OH no no, that one was definitely Thanos. Iger snap:

Disstevefan110 days ago

FTFY ;)

Disney Analyst10 days ago

Thanos snap.

TrainsOfDisney10 days ago

This ship? 😭😭😭

Andrew C10 days ago

I think that ship has sailed....

Marc Davis Fan10 days ago

I think it's also important to remember that - even though I wish this were not the case - Magic Kingdom is the park that guests most associate with "Disney" and remember as "Disney." And with higher-quality competition from Universal today, guests need to recall their "Disney" experience as spectacular in order for Disney to gain and retain fans. If Disney's (perceived) "flagship park" doesn't have the most "top wow factor" areas (like World Showcase, Pandora, and Galaxy's Edge), Disney's entire reputation suffers. Conversely, if Magic Kingdom gets a game-changing land, more people go home and talk about how awesome "Disney" was.