“This Is What I Was Afraid Of” — Disney Adults React to ‘Cars’ Expansion News for Magic Kingdom (2024)

Disney is courting massive controversy.

Last weekend, Disney announced a slew of brand-new attractions at the 2024 D23 Ultimate Fan Event. However, once the new announcement hype began to subside, fears emerged about where these new additions would go, and what classic rides they may replace. In the case of the Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Cars-themed attractions, those fears have been confirmed.

As announced at D23, the massive Cars area coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland will feature one attraction that will “invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes”, while the other will be a smaller attraction geared toward the children and the whole family.

While many fans were initially wary at the idea of Cars being placed into the western-themed land — even with Disney’s explanation that “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a racecar from the big city,” – – they were mostly accepting of it, until a few days later, when Disney announced where exactly the new attractions would be going.

A few days after D23, Disney confirmed that “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.”

Based on the feedback to our coverage of the announcement on Facebook, it’s an understatement to say that many are unhappy with the idea of losing the Rivers of America — an integral part of Disney’s castle-based theme parks and their aesthetics since Disneyland opened in 1955 — for a pair of Cars attractions.

Reader Eric summed up the feelings of several commenters who expressed frustration at a classic Disney element being replaced by an intellectual property-based attraction: “This also means Rivers of America will be gone, which is incredibly sad. So much of the soul and idea of the park is being stripped away to shoehorn IP where it doesn’t really fit. There should be a new park built, there is plenty of land to do so. It would also help alleviate some of the congestion in the current parks.”

Reader Kathleen expressed a similar sentiment to Eric, writing “It’s just sad to me that IPs seem to be taking over everything. And there’s going to be just a lot more asphalt to keep you nice and hot. I agree with those saying just reinvent the speedway. Leave the river and riverboat alone. I don’t visit Tom Sawyer Island but I know a lot of people like the down time away from the people and the heat.”

Reader Stephanie was also upset, and was one of several readers to express bewilderment about how the change will affect a remaining classic attraction. “I’m so upset about this. It’s going to make the Haunted Mansion seem very out of place. The Magic Kingdom needs to expand not replace. The boat and the island are what still holds some nostalgia for some of us.”

Reader Wendy will miss the aesthetic appeal of the area, “This is too bad. I loved going to Tom Sawyer island with a picnic lunch and just take a break from everything. Losing the river of America is also sad as it added a nice ambiance to the park.”

Reader Mary also expressed sadness at the loss of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, but for different reasons. They expressed, “I don’t love TS island but as a parent to a kid with autism, I think it was a good place for parents to bring kids with autism to get away from all the simulation and crowds. They should just replace the speedway. I don’t think they should get rid of the river or the boat.”

Reader Jody Ann gave arguably the most blunt reading of the situation, “I hate this. They are getting rid of all the classic Disney.”

Other readers, like Marina, expressed more mixed feelings about the change. They wrote, “This is what I was afraid of. My hope was that this was an expansion without having to replace any other existing areas in the park. I’m excited about having a Cars Land at MK but it is sad to be sacrificing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island for this. This was such a nice quiet place to take a break from the crowds.”

While the vast majority of reader reaction to these changes were negative, we would be remiss to not include some of the more positive reactions we received.

According to reader Lisa, no more Tom Sawyer Island is no loss at all. “Tom Sawyers Island was in need of an upgrade or something. Personally I found it creepy. I am really not that sad to see it go. Looking foward to seeing this expansion in about 10 years.”

Reader Daniel expressed his believe that Walt Disney himself would approve of this change, writing “Thank you, so glad they are getting rid of Tom Sawyer’s. To those that say they are getting rid of Walt’s dream. Clearly don’t know his dream enough. He knew that the parks should never be classed as complete. It’s like saying they shouldn’t change Tomorrow land because it’s Walt’s original design. But has been changed numerous times over the years. If you watch the Imagineering story Walt would have said “what took you so long”. Both ferry and island are long past their expiration dates and are no longer the IPs/attractions they were.”

Reader Bryan said something similar, writing “I’m sad to see the original history of the park going, but if I’m going to be completely honest, I haven’t been to the island or on the River Boat since 1980. It’s such an underutilized area. When I heard that the Nemo Submarines were gone it was sad, but it made way for the 7 Dwarves Mine Train, Ariel, Be Our Guest, and so many more great rides and areas. This feels the same to me. Walt’s vision was always of an evolving and changing park. I’m sure he’d be tickled pink that the Carousel of Progress and its a small world were still around.”

Disney’s decision to add a massive Cars expansion to the Magic Kingdom at the expense of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island is causing some major divided feelings amongst Disney fans. Stay tuned to AllEars for further updates on all of Disney’s upcoming projects.

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What are your opinions on Cars replacing the Rivers of America? Let us know in the comments below.