Disney Parks has become known in the last few years for a frenetic tendency to throw varieties of intellectual properties together in strange ways. Putting the Cars franchise next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom is just the latest example.
Last week, we covered the story that Brayden of Mickey Views was reporting about changes coming to Magic Kingdom. According to Brayden, Disney is looking to destroy Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America, transform Frontierland into a bayou, and plop a southwestern theme behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. But that’s not all!
Brayden also said that Disney was interested in building Radiator Springs Racers north of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. That’s a very expensive attraction (one of the most expensive) and also one with significant downtime. It doesn’t do well in the rain. It also would stick out badly next to a era-centric Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Yet that’s exactly what he claimed. And while I love Radiator Springs Racers, I just don’t think that’s a great fit for it. I could find a (difficult) way to put it in Hollywood Studios with a far better outcome.
Sources of Mickey Views claim a western Woody-themed attraction is under consideration for the “Beyond Big Thunder” project at the Magic Kingdom inside Walt Disney World. This project would join the rumored Radiator Springs Racers project along with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in order to form a desert-themed land in the northwest quadrant of the park. — Mickey Views
The claim seemed outlandish, but now we essentially have it confirmed. No, we can never be certain because Disney could change its mind before it begins building it. However, we now have an image out of Walt Disney Imagineering that we’re sharing with you in this article. And that image shows a 3D printed Radiator Springs Racers which is not identical to the one in California Adventure. So it would seem that Brayden is very much right.
A purported image from inside Walt Disney Imagineering featuring a Radiator Springs Racers 3D Miniature
This goes even farther in proving that Disney is keen on destroying Frontierland — an original part of Walt’s vision for castle parks. Not only that, but it seems nearly impossible to have this attraction without destroying Rivers of America. Someone is going to have to explain to me real soon how we can have a bayou without water. But then again… since there’s a mountain now in Louisiana according to Disney, maybe you just have to dream hard enough to make it a (very strange) reality?
And as we end today, we want to say a huge thank you to our source for providing us with today’s scoop! Our contacts around the industry make these sorts of reports possible… and you are certainly appreciated.
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below!
Radiator Springs Racers would be more appropriate at Toy Story Land in DHS, but the theming would work at Big Thunder. I just hope they at least add the Mater ride and a few iconic restaurants and stores. Recreate Radiator Springs. For once, they are increasing park capacity. Nonetheless, the minor parks remain worse in value. Universal will eat Disney’s lunch. Drink Disney’s milkshake.