It’s the end of an era at Magic Kingdom… at least, in part. Disney has just pulled back the curtain on a major transformation that’s set to change the layout—and the feel—of Frontierland forever.
While the name Frontierland isn’t being retired, the space that once represented Disney’s tribute to the untamed American West is about to get a whole lot smaller.
Earlier this summer, Disney announced a complete overhaul of the back section of Frontierland. That overhaul now has a name, a theme, and a confirmed timeline. This expansion centers around a new Cars-themed land that will take over the area currently home to Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the winding Rivers of America. All three of those classic attractions will close permanently on July 7, 2025.
With the announcement came a big reveal: this new expansion has officially been named—and while the name itself is inspired by a lesser-known Pixar world, the meaning behind it is big.
A Frontierland Redefined
Let’s be clear: Frontierland is not going away, at least totally. You’ll still be able to catch a show at the newly reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree, hop aboard Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, or ride the wildest ride in the wilderness, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, when it returns from refurbishment. But for many longtime Disney fans, this shift marks a major turning point.
For decades, Frontierland was defined by its wide rivers, rustic walkways, and the calm, slow-moving Liberty Belle making its rounds through a dense, immersive environment. With the rivers drained and the island closed, the land is essentially giving up its “frontier” space in exchange for a Pixar-branded adventure.
A Wilderness of a Different Kind
The new land will carry over the natural feel of Frontierland—but through the lens of Cars. The area is inspired by national parks like the Rocky Mountains and will include two attractions: an off-road rally ride and a family-friendly experience, each with their own themed lodge. This land will blend pine trees, waterfalls, and rugged terrain with car-inspired architecture. The result is something Disney Imagineers say pays homage to the spirit of American wilderness, just with a bit more horsepower.
This land has its roots in Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014), which introduced a fictional park called Piston Peak. Disney’s new expansion takes its name and loose theme from that park but gives it a new twist with inspiration drawn from the Rockies and design elements from places like Wilderness Lodge and Grizzly Peak.
A Bittersweet Farewell
As exciting as this new land may be, it’s impossible to ignore the emotional weight of what’s being left behind. Tom Sawyer Island, a staple of the park’s opening decades, offered a rare kind of unstructured play that’s now nearly extinct in modern theme parks. And the Liberty Square Riverboat? That was a calm, iconic way to soak in views of the park at a slow, scenic pace. Both are unique to Magic Kingdom and leave behind a legacy that can’t be fully replicated.
Still, this isn’t the first time Disney has overhauled a land—and likely won’t be the last. It’s part of the evolution of the parks. But for many, Frontierland as they knew it is fading into memory. The land isn’t being erased, but it is being reshaped—leaving fans with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia as the old frontier makes way for a new kind of adventure.
