Walt Disney World Railroad Downtime Expected as New Cars-Themed Attractions Begin Construction

Aug 14, 2024 in "Cars Land Magic Kingdom"

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Frontierland Concept Art Aerial View

Posted: Wednesday August 14, 2024 11:55am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom may once again experience a significant period of downtime in the coming years, as major changes are planned for the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island areas, including the construction of two new Cars-themed attractions.

Wide view of the new Frontierland, with two Cars-themed attractions replacing Tom Sawyer Island

Similar to the extended closure during the construction of TRON Lightcycle Run, the railroad is likely to be impacted by the extensive construction zone that will emerge as the new attractions take shape.

Walt Disney World Railroad track work during the TRON construction period

Earlier this week, Disney confirmed that the new Cars-themed area will be built directly on top of Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America - both of which are inside the railroad track.

In the short term, starting in 2025, according to newly submitted permits, the railroad's tracks will be positioned between the construction staging area and the actual construction site on Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. The railroad is expected to be taken out of service to allow for the movement of vehicles and materials across the tracks.

Looking further ahead, the development of Villains Land will also affect the railroad's operations. As with the Cars-themed attractions, construction access and potential rerouting of the tracks may be necessary to accommodate the new land. However, details about the location and layout of Villains Land are not yet available, so it remains unclear how the railroad's path might be altered.

The Walt Disney World Railroad was closed for four years during the TRON Lightcycle Run construction project. During that time, the trains were available to board as a static exhibit, first at the Main Street U.S.A. station and then later at the Fantasyland station.

Walt Disney World Railway static exhibit

We do not yet have any confirmed construction timelines for either Cars or the new Villains Land, but we expect both projects to be completed by 2030, with Cars opening first.

Disney has yet to announce any operational changes to the Walt Disney World railroad due to upcoming construction.

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FettFan47 minutes ago

Sacrificing long-term legacy for short-term gains. Might as well call him Bob Esau at this point.

JoeCamel2 hours ago

But with different motivations, I don't think there is any agenda beyond replacing non revenue generating space with revenue generating space. The boat and the lower island will be a loss but I did a keys tour in 2010? and brought up the small footprint they had to work with while we were in the utilidoor looking at a map of the MK and the guide pointed out the north end of the river...... This has been in the mix for many years

Fox&Hound3 hours ago

Even though it pains me, people have this wrong. It’s not “gee why can’t Disney build this cars ride somewhere else and save the rivers of America”. Disney wants to get rid of the rivers of America, and for whatever reason, settled on this IP to do it. It is Splash all over again.

Mr. Sullivan4 hours ago

You’re acting as if they’re ripping any and all reference to Americana out of every Disney park in the world. It’s one section of one land in one park. As of this moment in time, this idea isn’t carrying over anywhere else. It’s not that it’s offensive. That isn’t what is guiding this. Its that it isn’t really all that popular with modern audiences. They don’t really care about the wild west, the frontier, cowboys. All that started to fall out of fashion with the general public many years ago and has never rebounded. Some people still may be interested in it but it’s a small section of people. They rarely even teach about this period in school anymore its of such little interest to most. It just isn’t as intriguing as a tropical adventure, or the future (or retrofuturism) or fantasy and that’s why I don’t think its an accident that this is the land getting overhauled. I would bet serious money that guest feedback revealed Frontierland to be one of the park’s least popular areas because it’s core theme and concept is not of great interest to visitors anymore.

Chef idea Mickey`=5 hours ago

For some reason something over me is sensing the same even though with Disney done deal seems done deal but that is probably me comparing it to Splash Mountain which that was a reason to do.

Steamboat716 hours ago

I still have faith that they will rework this project to keep part of the river.

Starship8247 hours ago

I guess so. I forgot about her.

Brer Panther7 hours ago

Unless you count Pocahontas, I suppose?

DisneyHead1239 hours ago

Honestly I think the reasoning is that none of that area is IP. Classic non-IP rides may be allowed to stay if they’re popular, but anything that is there primarily for visual reasons has to be an ad for merch in the park stores.

Rhinocerous9 hours ago

To paraphrase a poignant Queen song... "If there's a (Walt) in the sky looking down what can he think of what we've done to the World that he created?"

Starship8249 hours ago

Because that's not why they're getting rid of the rivers of america. The RoA and TSI are going away because It's extremely valuable real estate in the most visited theme park on Earth, not because of some weird conspiracy theory that Disney hates America. If Disney really hated America so much, then why would they be building a ride, replacing the rivers of America based off of cars in the Pacific Northwest of America. This idea that Burbank and Bob Iger have a specific vendetta against the entire idea of America is just convoluted and stupid. Not to mention princess and the frog is the which replaced Splash Mountain is in America. In fact, princess Tiana is the first American princess that they made. The rivers of America are going away because they're not popular and they're very expensive to maintain. I don't agree with the decision. In fact, I want them to keep the rivers of America, but the idea that Burbank is getting rid of it because it's themed around America is just not true.

Cliff10 hours ago

Uggg....if canceling the "old-American history" theme can satisfy Burbank execs?...yeah, I guess I can be happy with Mater's Island Mudd Puddle re-theme. At least we vould keep this big water feature. Now,...for Liberty Square? How will Burbank try to cancel or re-theme that part? Uggg....I love classic "America" and I'd really hate to see it go away from WDW. I guees it's all just culturally or socially offensive by Burbank's standards in 2024. If there is a Heaven and Walt is there looking down at all of this, what would he think?