Are you ready to race into the "wheelderness"? Walt Disney World is officially gearing up for what is being called the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney dropped massive new details about the highly anticipated Cars-themed land coming to Frontierland. Officially named Piston Peak National Park, this brand-new area will bring the beloved Disney and Pixar Cars universe right into the heart of one of the park's most iconic lands.
Building on the Story of Frontierland
One of the biggest questions fans have had since the initial announcement is how a Cars-themed land could possibly fit into the rustic, historic aesthetic of Frontierland. Disney has officially confirmed that Piston Peak National Park will seamlessly continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has connected Liberty Square and Frontierland since the park's opening day.
The storyline follows our favorite characters as they leave Radiator Springs to explore the West, putting guests in the driver's seat as they embark on a National Park adventure with a distinct Cars twist.
Welcome to the "Wheelderness": Architecture and Design
Picture an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers, and impressive geysers. While the land's name is taken from the fictional park featured in the 2014 movie Planes: Fire & Rescue, its landscape draws heavy inspiration from real-world locations like the Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
To ensure the buildings fit naturally into the surrounding scenery, Walt Disney Imagineers are using "Parkitecture" — a style originally developed by the National Park Service. Of course, since this land is built by cars, for cars, the buildings will also feature brilliantly "car-ified" design elements. In a wonderful stroke of park synergy, the geysers from the beloved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch right into Piston Peak.
The Attractions: Racing Through the Mountains
The centerpiece of the D23 reveal was the first official look at the two brand-new attractions coming to the land. We now have names and descriptions for both rides!
Cars Ridge Run Rally
The headlining E-ticket attraction is an exhilarating off-road adventure officially named Cars Ridge Run Rally. Disney described this experience as a thrilling quest to find "the wildest racer in the wheelderness" as guests compete for the "fastest lap in the west." Here's how the course breaks down:
- The Route: The course takes racers through the rugged beauty of America's national parks, beginning with a steep climb up Piston Peak to reach an icy, snow-covered mountaintop.
- The Descent: After conquering the frosty summit, racers will plummet down in a thrilling camelback descent.
- The Finish Line: Vehicles will navigate an exhilarating geyser field and circle the massive "Old Tankfull" geyser before sprinting to the finish line, where Lightning McQueen and Mater will be covering the race live on the Racing Sports Network.
Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along
For families, Piston Peak will also feature a secondary attraction officially named Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along. This family-friendly spinning flat ride is themed entirely around Miss Fritter, the fearsome and undefeated demolition derby queen from Cars 3. Guests will enter her "wildest demolition derby yet," with the ride featuring Miss Fritter herself as a massive, school-bus-sized animatronic hosting a stampeding bash.
Construction Timelines and What's Ahead
To make way for this unprecedented expansion, construction is already fully underway. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are already closed to the public as crews work to completely transform the landscape.
While it's always bittersweet to say goodbye to classic park elements, there is plenty of exciting new magic on the horizon. Imagineers are simultaneously hard at work beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, bringing to life the first-ever land inspired by the Disney Villains — promising a twisted, grand-scale expansion of its own.
With guests from around the country fueling up to become the wildest racers in the "wheelderness," Magic Kingdom's future has never looked brighter. Are you ready to take on the Ridge Run Rally? Stay tuned to Disney Daily for more updates as this great American storytelling adventure continues to unfold!