There are quite a few changes coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Last summer at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, it was announced that a new area themed to Pixar’s Cars franchise would be taking over the space where the Rivers of America currently can be found. It was also announced that a new Villains Land would be coming to the park as well. Today, Disney shared more details about this new part of Frontierland that is themed to Cars. The area will be called Piston Peak National Park. Below are the specifics that were shared.
A couple things to note, the transition from Rivers of America to Piston Peak National Park will be coming soon. The Liberty Square Riverboat will close beginning July 7, 2025. This will also be when the Walt Disney World Railroad stops its grand circle tour. Instead, it will operate between Fantasyland and Main Street. Work is promised to kick into high gear sometime this summer for the Piston Peak National Park.
Westward Ho! Crossing into New Frontiers at Magic Kingdom
Since the early days of Magic Kingdom, adventurous guests have traveled across space and time as they pass from Liberty Square to Frontierland. Starting with architectural influences from upstate New York and colonial America in Liberty Square, before traveling to a bear-y fun concert in the North Woods, a stop by New Orleans at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and ending in the Arizona bluffs at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
At the heart of all these stories are heroic characters with a belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams. To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom.
Welcome to Piston Peak National Park
Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers. While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.
Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar “Cars” universe. To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called “Parkitecture,” which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.
From the outside, trees will provide a natural barrier between the off-road rally and other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Rugged mountains with dramatic peaks will be nestled along a calming waterway across from Grizzly Hall and soaring geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of our off-road rally.
Cruising Just Around the Bend
As work revs into high gear this summer, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close beginning July 7. Imagineers are also hard at work beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad bringing to life the first-ever land inspired by the Disney Villains with two major attractions, dining and shopping all on an incredibly twisted grand scale.
