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Disney Unveils New Cars Land Coming to Walt Disney World

BBG News

A brand-new addition, unlike any before seen in Disney World‘s Magic Kingdom for quite some time, is going to be “Piston Peak National Park.” This area takes inspiration from the beloved Pixar series, Cars.

Today, Disney revealed the initial designs for their upcoming expansion, positioned strategically between Liberty Square, home to the Haunted Mansion, and Frontierland, where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure resides.

Inside Piston Peak, visitors can delve into the visitor lodge, Ranger Headquarters, trails, and other areas, all set within the Disney and Pixar Cars universe. To ensure these buildings blend seamlessly with their breathtaking surroundings, Imagineers are employing a type of architecture known as ‘Parkitecture’. This architectural style was created by the National Park Service to design structures that harmonize perfectly with the natural environment.

In simpler terms, the article asserts that trees will act as a protective buffer or boundary, separating the off-road rally from different areas within Frontierland and Liberty Square.

Previously, Disney constructed a section known as “Cars Land” within its Disney California Adventure park, which debuted in 2012. This area has become one of the park’s busiest spots, featuring attractions like Radiator Springs Racers, one of its most beloved rides.

The latest installment of the “Cars” franchise, titled “Cars 3,” hit the big screen in 2017. Since then, spin-offs featuring these beloved characters have been released on Disney+. As of now, Pixar hasn’t publicly confirmed plans for a fourth “Cars” movie. To date, the three cinematic “Cars” films have amassed over $1.4 billion in global box office sales.

The upcoming closure of various attractions such as the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat in Magic Kingdom is being made to create space for a new area inspired by the movie Cars, which is set to open from July 7 onwards.

Amazing Theme Park Rides Based on Movies That Were Never Built

Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition

Initially, Disneyland had planned an expansive Indiana Jones attraction, The Indiana Jones Adventure, which debuted in 1995. However, Imagineers envisioned a much more extensive Indy property that would have significantly transformed the Adventureland area. Known as The Lost Expedition, this project was intended to house two distinct rides: a roller coaster replicating the mine-car finale from ‘Temple of Doom,’ and a dark ride in jeeps showcasing Indy’s greatest adventures, including elements from the existing Jungle Cruise. Unfortunately, most of the land earmarked for The Lost Expedition was later utilized to construct Splash Mountain instead.

Indiana Jones Ore Car Attraction

Peek into the details of an unrealized attraction called “Ore Car Simulator,” which would have been part of the Lost Expedition facility. Despite the fact that the Indiana Jones land never materialized, Disney does boast an Indiana Jones mine-train roller coaster – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril – situated at Disneyland Paris. It was the pioneer looping coaster in any Disney park. (I had a harrowing experience on it as a teenager when it got stuck during a ride.)

Indiana Jones Jungle Cruise

The “River Idol” would likely be a focal point within the reimagined Jungle Cruise, transformed to align with a whole land of attractions inspired by Indiana Jones. Indeed, it appears as if it belongs in an Indiana Jones film.

The Hauntington Hotel

Prior to Orlando’s popular interactive shooting rides such as Toy Story Midway Mania and Men in Black Alien Attack, Six Flags had conceived an idea for a Ghostbusters ride called Hauntington Hotel. Riders would have explored a haunted building, firing at targets using car-mounted proton packs. As stated by the designer in an interview on 2600connection.com, the entire project – from creation and design to engineering and prototyping – was completed and ready for installation in Texas when Six Flags’ parent company sold its theme park division. Unfortunately, under new ownership, the project disintegrated, a sad turn of events that may be considered one of history’s greatest losses.

Nostromo

For about eight years, the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland was home to an attraction named ExtraTERRORestrial: Alien Encounter. Riders were literally strapped down to their seats while a menacing E.T. “materialized” in the center of the room, and then proceeded to touch and breathe on them while the lights were out. When Alien Encounter opened it starred a creepy alien; when it was conceived it starred *the* creepy alien — as in H.R. Giger’s iconic xenomorph from Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film. Astonishingly, someone at Disney thought it was a good idea to insert a little acid-blooded horror into the Happiest Place on Earth. Eventually, Disney came to their senses and abandoned the ‘Alien’ aspect (and the original name for the attraction, Nostromo, after the ship in the film), but not the overall concept. After terrifying children for almost a decade (I was one of them; this thing was pure nightmare fuel), Alien Encounter finally closed in 2003. The site now houses a toned-down version starring Stitch from ‘Lilo & Stich.’

The James Bond Live-Action Stunt Show

The initial plans for Universal Studios Florida featured a captivating design by ‘Star Wars’ artist Ralph McQuarrie for a stunt show based on James Bond. This concept was heavily influenced by longtime James Bond production designer Ken Adam. The proposed “Giant Circular Roof” would have opened, revealing screens displaying Bond’s most formidable enemies who would watch as 007 faced his demise and the launch of a nuclear warhead. Unfortunately, this project never took flight, but over time, Universal Studios has hosted stunt shows themed around ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘The A-Team,’ ‘Miami Vice,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘Waterworld.’

Mel Brooks’ Hollywood Horror Hotel

Initially, the Tower of Terror wasn’t connected to ‘The Twilight Zone,’ but rather a joint venture between Disney and Mel Brooks. However, Brooks decided to withdraw from the project, and later ‘The Twilight Zone’ elements were incorporated. In its early stages, the concept was known as “Hotel Mel,” which envisioned a combined attraction and hotel within the same building, with a murder mystery that could be solved using clues hidden throughout the premises. It’s fascinating to learn that Brooks abandoned the project around the time when Imagineers came up with the idea of incorporating haunted elevators that suddenly drop from their shafts. The Tower of Terror is an exciting ride, but it does make one wonder what might have been if we had gotten a full-fledged Mel Brooks hotel instead.

Batman Island

At Comics101.com, you’ll find a series of articles detailing the initial concept for Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure: Originally, instead of the Marvel Super Hero Island, there was an entire area dedicated to Batman. This themed zone was created in the early 90s when Tim Burton’s Batman films were popular, and it would have featured a Batmobile ride, a Bat-jet attraction, as well as a live action stunt show starring Batman, Robin, and Superman. However, plans changed over time, as they often do, and the space that was intended for Batman eventually became home to characters like Spider-Man and Hulk from Marvel.

Batwing: Batman vs the Penguin

On Batman Island, potential features might have included a hanging roller coaster with two distinct tracks, one themed after Batman and another after the Penguin. Each track would offer unique experiences, special effects, and pyrotechnics to choose from. In the lower left corner, a sign for Shreck’s Department Store is visible, a tribute to Christopher Walken’s character in ‘Batman Returns.’ Regrettably, this roller coaster never materialized, but the idea of “dueling” coasters found a place at Islands of Adventure, manifesting as the Dueling Dragons ride (currently known as Dragon Challenge, and located within its Harry Potter realm).

Dick Tracy’s Crime-Stoppers

In 1990, when Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy” movie was set to premiere, it was anticipated as a massive success, with Disney planning to cash in by creating a theme park attraction. This attraction would have allowed riders to embark on a chase through Chicago (essentially, dark ride sets) alongside the detective character, and each vehicle would have been outfitted with tommy guns for shooting targets along the way. However, when “Dick Tracy” failed to become a major franchise, the idea was abandoned. Nevertheless, the design of the intended vehicles resembles those used in the Indiana Jones Adventure, and the concept of a shooting gallery has been preserved in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Ride

Visitors to this ride, inspired by the 1993 stop-motion Christmas movie, would have climbed aboard flying caskets (!) for a spooky ride reminiscent of Peter Pan’s Flight, but with a unique Tim Burton twist. However, Disney found the concept appealing, but Tim Burton, who co-owned the characters, was not as excited and vetoed the idea entirely. As an alternative, Disney annually converts the Haunted Mansion in California into the “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” incorporating characters from the film during this festive season.

Godzilla Bullet Train

Since the 1970s, there were initial plans to incorporate a high-speed train ride into the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. The ride would have given visitors the illusion of traveling through the Japanese countryside via screens on the windows. However, an intriguing alteration of this idea involved introducing Godzilla into the mix; he would emerge from the ocean to attack the train as it passed through Tokyo Harbor. It is said that the project never progressed beyond discussions with Toho, the studio owning Godzilla, as they felt a massive, destructive lizard didn’t align with the serene and natural vibe of Epcot. Too bad.

The Great Muppet Movie Ride

For over two decades, The Muppets have been a significant part of Disney Hollywood Studios, showcasing their MuppetVision 3D movie. Originally, plans were made for the Muppets to play a more prominent role within the park, featuring a spoof version of the Great Movie Ride called The Great Muppet Movie Ride. This attraction would have seen Jim Henson’s beloved characters reenacting iconic scenes from popular films. However, these plans were put on hold during Disney and Henson’s corporate merger in the late 80s; unfortunately, the deal failed to materialize after Henson’s passing in 1990, effectively cancelling The Muppet Movie Ride. Yet, Disney acquired the Muppets in 2004, so there remains a possibility that their most spectacular theme-park attraction is still to be created.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park features a River Adventure ride, which is like a log flume but not much like the Jurassic Park movies except for animatronic dinosaurs. The initial idea encompassed additional Jurassic Park attractions, one being a Jeep Safari that mirrored the movie’s narrative closely. This ride would have taken visitors on a remote-controlled trip through the park, where they would pass under brontosauruses, outrun T-Rexes, and confront raptors. However, DisneyAndMore.Blogspot.com reports that the Jeep Safari idea was rejected as too similar to the River Adventure for both to function together.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

Check out this detailed shot of the Jeep from the Jurassic Park Safari ride, reminiscent of the classic 8-seater DeLoreans from ‘Back to the Future’.

Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride

Disney capitalized on the success of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ by creating one theme-park attraction (Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin at Disneyland). However, their initial vision included multiple rides. One proposed ride, Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride, would have immersed guests in a perilous scene where they served as stand-ins for the mischievous baby, wearing baby bonnets during the ride to enhance the experience and promote photo sales. Regrettably, disputes between Disney and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment over control of Roger Rabbit hindered the development and construction of this exciting attraction.

Toontown Trolley

Much like how the Baby Herman ride prevented plans for a simulator attraction similar to Star Tours, which would have taken visitors on a journey through Toontown, the cartoon world in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’, the initial idea for these rides were part of an expansive Hollywoodland section within Disneyland. However, over time, this area was reimagined as Mickey’s Toontown instead. Unfortunately, that meant no ride for Roger Rabbit.

Toontown Trolley

Check out this additional concept art for the Roger Rabbit trolley ride! It’s quite psychedelic. I imagine that children, particularly those fueled by sugar, would find it particularly exciting.

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2025-06-03 19:56

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