From Rivers to Racetracks: Welcoming Piston Peak National Park to Magic Kingdom

Big changes are coming to the heart of Magic Kingdom—and Disney fans are talking.

Walt Disney World recently announced that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, longtime staples of Frontierland, will be reimagined into a brand-new land: Piston Peak National Park, inspired by the Cars universe. While the news has sparked a mix of emotions, there’s one thing everyone agrees on: Magic Kingdom is entering a bold, and dare we say…exciting new era?

Let’s take a look at where we’ve been, what’s coming, and why this transformation matters.

Taking a Quick Look Back: 

Before we speed forward, let’s slow down and appreciate the legacy.

Rivers of America has been a key part of Magic Kingdom since opening day in 1971. The peaceful waterway, navigated by the Liberty Belle Riverboat, has long served as a tranquil backdrop to the energy of Frontierland. Winding around Tom Sawyer Island, it evoked the adventurous spirit of classic Americana—a playful retreat filled with caves, rope bridges, and forts straight from the pages of Mark Twain.

Tom Sawyer Island, with its hands-on exploration and hidden nooks, became a rite of passage for generations of kids. It was one of the last park elements with a direct connection to Walt Disney himself, who loved the stories of Twain and believed in the power of childhood adventure.

Love this shot of Tom Sawyer Island? It was taken by our FAVORITE Disney photographer Lisa of Thousand Circles Images - visit her site to purchase this and other GREAT Disney shots!

So yes—this change is a big one. But in true Disney fashion, it’s not just about replacing the old. It’s about evolving it.

Taking a Look Forward

Taking its name from the fictional national park featured in the Cars universe, Piston Peak National Park will bring guests into the heart of nature—Cars-style. Imagine towering pines, dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and winding roads—like a cross between Radiator Springs and Yellowstone. The area will blend the humor and charm of Cars with the grandeur of the American wilderness. 

Disney has offered some concept art and hints of what is coming, but specific details do still remain a mystery. Here’s what we know (and hope!) about what’s coming:

Disney's concept art for Piston Peak National Park

Attractions

Expect high-octane fun blended with natural beauty. Rumors suggest:

• A family-friendly dark ride through the back roads and canyons of Piston Peak

  
  

• An E-Ticket level attraction Rally Race— according to Disney this attraction 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.

  
  

  

  Disney has provided some concept art for the Rally Race attraction, but not the "smaller racers" ride.

  
  

Dining

Disney has mentioned “dining” in the teases it has shared, but that’s about it so this part is all based on “hope,” and I think many Disney World fans will tell you we are “hoping” for a GOOD, sit-down restaurant in Magic Kingdom. While a “Cars” themed area may not seem like the most likely spot to get a great sit-down dining location, we can dream! However, we do think this is a prime location for some fun quick-service spots…PLEASE bring us cozy cones lol! 

Aside from meals, we all love a good Disney snack and a national park themed area offers an exciting opportunity for new snack offerings! One that we would love to see is a Kernel Kitchen (the make your own popcorn mix spot on Main St) type location that lets guests create their own trail mixes to bring with them as they explore the trails of the National Park. 

Merchandise

From park ranger hats with Cars flair to exclusive die-cast vehicles found only in this land, expect plenty of souvenirs themed around road trips, nature, and, of course, Lightning McQueen and friends. 

We’d also love to see some actual merch for your, wait for it… CAR! I’d LOVE a “This car climbed Piston Peak” bumper sticker or air fresheners with famous scents from around the parks!

And how’s this for a “novel” idea - make this merch available ONLY at Piston Peak National Park! Not the Emporium, not the gift shop at the Polynesian, not the airport. Make it feel special that you visited this area! 

Looking Forward: 

A brand new area (we’ll go-ahead and call it a mini-land) is an exciting thing for many people. But losing something that has been part of the park since the beginning is always tough as well.  We hope that among all the new, Disney honors what we have lost throughout Piston Peak National Park. Placing some hidden nods and Easter Eggs throughout the land to honor Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island would surely make many fans a little happier. 

Why Some Fans Are Excited…

Many Disney fans are thrilled. Here’s why:

• Fresh Energy: Aside from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure taking over Splash Mountain, a move that also saw a very large split in fans, Frontierland hasn’t seen major changes in years. This new land promises cutting-edge Imagineering and storytelling.

  
  

• Family-Friendly Fun: The Cars franchise remains a hit with younger audiences, and a land built for exploration and adventure appeals to families. While we love the nostalgia of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island…they honestly were not very popular areas.

  
  

• Environmental Aesthetic: Disney has a long history of celebrating nature—from the original Jungle Cruise to Animal Kingdom. Piston Peak National Park continues that tradition, but with a modern “engine”.

…And Why Some Are Feeling Nostalgic

Of course, not everyone is racing to embrace the change.

• Loss of History: Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are steeped in Disney lore. Fans lament losing one of the last physical ties to Walt’s vision.

  
  

• Quieter Spaces: The island and river were peaceful, open-ended experiences—something rare in today’s high-tech, schedule-packed park days.

  
  

• Character Theming Fatigue: Some guests prefer original storytelling over IP-based expansions, and this continues Disney’s recent trend of replacing classic areas with branded franchises.

  
  

Our Take: A Journey Worth Taking

All we know is this kid is ready for come Cars in Magic Kingdom

Change is always a little bittersweet at Disney. With every new land, something treasured makes way. But if there’s one thing Imagineers have shown us time and again, it’s that when they blend innovation with nostalgia, magic happens.

Piston Peak National Park promises to honor the spirit of adventure that defined Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America—but with a modern, high-octane twist. Families will laugh, explore, and create new memories that might just become the stories they’ll tell their kids years from now.

We may miss the sound of the Liberty Belle’s Whistle (but who’s to say they can’t still give us that in some way) and the slow ride over to TSI on one of the rafts, but we also should believe in the Imagineers that continue to surprise us. So while we tip our hats to Huck and Tom, we’re also buckling up and looking cautiously and optimistically ahead.

Because the road ahead looks pretty spectacular.

To hear more on OUR ideas for Piston Peak National Park, check out episodes 84 (available now) and 85 (available 7/28/25) of the Married to A Disney Addict podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

What do you think? Will you miss the old or are you ready to explore the new? Let us know in the comments—

Thanks for reading along and as always... See Ya Real Soon!