We have major news about Piston Peak, the brand new Cars-themed land coming to the Magic Kingdom. We have new concept art of the land, details about the rides and queues, new characters that nod to Disney history, and information about how this land is actually inspired by U.S. National Parks. Let’s get into it! 

About Piston Peak National Park

The new land inspired by the Cars franchise will replace the beloved Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat, which officially close July 7, 2025. These changes are part of the largest expansion ever to impact the Magic Kingdom that also includes a unrevealed Villains-land—but let’s stay on track (see what I did there?) Ok, I’ll stop. 

We now know the land is called Piston Peak National Park and will be based on Rocky Mountain National Park, featuring red rocks, mountains, rivers, geysers, trees, lush landscapes, and copious waterfalls. According to sources, it is also based on parks from animated Disney films, and existing Disney park buildings, like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure. I think we call that synergy. 

And Piston Peak isn’t exactly new: it’s actually the setting of a Cars spinoff called Planes Fire & Rescue, a deep cut released in 2014 that didn’t make much noise when it hit theaters. Imagineers are not pulling elements like the plot or characters from that film into this land, but the location of Piston Peak is inspired by that film, so take that as you will. 

Fun details will include a “car-fied” designs like low windows for cars to see through them, entrances large enough for cars to fit, and architecture featuring automotive found materials like wagon wheels. 

Details About Attractions, New Character Revealed

Now, let’s talk rides: the main thrill ride will be a racing rally around mountain trails, geysers and mud holes. I think the yellow trail in the concept art (below) is the track. The queue will be housed in a visitor lodge area of Piston Peak National Park modeled after an A-frame mountain lodge. 

The second ride, geared towards families, will have a queue set in a park ranger lodge, and will introduce a new character named Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore—this is the name of an existing character from Humphrey the Bear and Donald Duck Cartoons. The ranger will be an animatronic featured in the preshow who will inform guests all about the history of Piston Peak. 

A few notes about the intended design:  Disney is framing the new land smartly. In its blog about the land, it deftly describes how guests have traveled in the Magic Kingdom through upstate New York and colonial America in Liberty Square, through the North Woods and New Orleans at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and then the Arizona bluffs in Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland. 

The subtext here, to me, is a message for everyone – myself included –  who questioned how Cars would fit in place of the Rivers of America, is that Liberty Square and Frontierland are a bit of a patchwork already and to trust them with the design. To that I say, touché. 

Disney is also planning on utilizing so-called Parkitecture, a National Park Service style of design to make structures that harmonize with the environment. Here, trees will make a natural barrier between the new rally ride and the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square—which sounds to me like they are working to make sure existing structures and the Haunted Mansion retain their character. There will also be a waterway across from Grizzly Hall and geysers by Big Thunder Mountain that blend with the new ride. Speaking of: the geysers around Big Thunder, currently down for a major refurb, will be updated to rainbow geysers and there may even be track marks in that area to align with the new attraction.

My Takeaways

• I am little less trepidatious. I like the concept art, the idea of two new rides, and the U.S. Parks inspiration. It gives the new land less of a cartoon feel despite being inspired by Cars. 
• I like the use of water in the space: the loss of Rivers of America means we are losing a large body of water in the Magic Kingdom, which is not a good thing. The use of waterfalls and geysers around the new land help keep some needed water features. 
• Finally, the blend of existing, lesser known characters and setting gives the land a bit of an edge, so to speak. This isn’t brand new territory from an IP perspective, but the new character and land are pulled from Disney properties not so popular as to incite major reactions or to dominate the new space. But they have enough familiarity to draw people in. I think the promise of a Cars Land similar to the uber successful one in California, with enough changes to make the land unique to Orlando makes this a unique proposition. Time will tell on how it meshes with the magic of the Magic Kingdom. 

Alright, tell me your thoughts! Are you pumped for this land? Let me know in the comments!

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