A month ago, we saw the first signs of land clearing associated with the construction of the Cars-themed Frontierland expansion and the upcoming Villains-themed land, both replacing the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom. The early work was just a few cleared trees, but work in the area has expanded greatly recently. As you’ll see in our photos below, it’s full steam ahead for the replacement of the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom.
Land Clearing for Cars and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
It’s odd to look at construction from outside of Magic Kingdom, but this is early work related to the replacement of the Rivers of America. In short, this is one of three planned construction laydown yards, which will be utilized for the storage of equipment and materials for the Cars-themed expansion of Frontierland, and likely the upcoming Villains-themed land as well.
Here’s a look at a permit showing the three laydown yards planned for west and northwest of Magic Kingdom. The land clearing that we’ll take a look at today is for “Pilot 2/3 Gravel Laydown Yard” west of Magic Kingdom. This is located across from some backstage buildings, including the parade float building(s), and the Pirates of the Caribbean show building. They are physically separated by a canal and backstage marina where the Electrical Water Pageant pontoons are stored.
Here’s an updated look at the land clearing, which is nearly complete for the lower half of the laydown yard. The fact that we’re seeing land clearing at this scale means that the project is full speed ahead following the mid-February regulatory green light.
Keep in mind that this is early work related to construction staging. Inside Magic Kingdom, it’s business as usual for now. While Walt Disney World has announced that the Rivers of America will be demolished, a closing date has not yet been announced.
For the latest on the Cars-themed expansion of Frontierland, including concept art, the latest news, and photos of the work, check out our dedicated project page below!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
This project is disliked by many Disney visitors. Cars belongs in Hollywood Studios. Losing the Rivers of America and its heat relief while visiting the Magic Kingdom is a true shame for all visitors. Very sad.
I am one of the devoted Disney visitors that 100% disagrees with and dislikes the destruction of Magic Kingdom by getting rid of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer island! I may not be back to Magic Kingdom once they remove this iconic Americana from the park! I didn’t go on my trip in February and don’t have plans for my upcoming trip, but would like to see the area of Frontierland AS IS before it is destroyed forever! One of the worst ideas EvER! We don’t need a 20 year old ip in MK, especially when there’s already pieces in the Stidios!
This will not prevent the massive loss of visitors. Disney had due to their arrogance no plan to combat the Epic Universe. To catch it will require massive investment and expansion – not the destruction of existing beloved attractions. Disney should have been adding a new attraction every two years in each of their four parks. Walt Disney World is the stepchild of this corporation with all the other world parks getting improvements that WDW should also be getting. Look at DisneySea or even Hong Kong and Shanghai. Even in Disney Land. Unfortunately, I believe that WDW has become the victim of politics and the sooner the Corporation gets back to the business of entertaining, the better off it would be. One other note, Walt Disney himself would probably be upset with the destruction of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island as well as the transformation of Splash Mountain. I seem to recall the Disney himself said the WDW has more than enough land to house the dreams of future generations. Unfortunately, those who succeeded him, do not share in his vision and that is truly sad.
This is the WORST thing Disney has ever planned. Taking away original aspects of WDW and replacing them with movie related amusement rides is sad and wrong and WILL change the feel of the park. WDW is MORE than a theme park , it’s a refuge, an escape from the real world. And taking us (the guests) back in time on a steam boat or taking us to Tom Sawyer Island was a HUGE part of that… A cars themed ride could have been out anywhere else. Bad move