Magic Kingdom’s ‘Cars’ Land Revealed: Inside Piston Peak National Park and Its Thrilling New Rides!

Walt Disney World is embarking on the most ambitious expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom, and the blueprint is finally coming into focus. During D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney executives pulled back the curtain on the highly anticipated Cars-themed expansion coming to Frontierland.

We now know this massive new area will officially be named Piston Peak National Park. Bringing the beloved Disney and Pixar Cars franchise to life in a whole new way, this immersive land invites guests to leave Radiator Springs behind and race straight into the “wheelderness.”

With fresh concept art, stunning models, and brand-new ride names officially unveiled, here is everything you need to know about the next chapter of Frontierland!

Designing the “Wheelderness”

How do you fit a world of talking cars into the rustic charm of Frontierland? The answer lies in the grand tradition of American storytelling and the majestic beauty of the great outdoors.

Piston Peak National Park is named after the 2014 animated film Planes: Fire & Rescue, but its visual design is heavily inspired by iconic real-world locations such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Rocky Mountains. Disney Imagineers are utilizing a design aesthetic known as “Parkitecture”—the same rustic, nature-harmonizing style developed by the National Park Service.

However, there is a fun twist: this land was built by cars, for cars. Guests will spot clever, “car-ified” architectural details, such as lower windows for vehicle sightlines and found materials like wagon wheels integrated into the structures. In a brilliant move of park synergy, the geothermal activity from the neighboring Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will bleed into Piston Peak, resulting in bubbling hot springs and the land’s massive signature geyser, playfully named “Old Tankfull.

Two Brand-New Attractions

The absolute highlight of the D23 presentation was the reveal of the land’s two new attractions. Disney has officially confirmed their names and provided thrilling new details about the ride experiences.

Cars Ridge Run Rally. The land’s headlining E-ticket attraction is Cars Ridge Run Rally. Disney promises this off-road adventure will take guests on a high-speed quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness” as they compete for the “fastest lap in the west.”

• The Ascent: The journey begins with a rugged climb up the steep trails of Piston Peak, eventually reaching a frosty, snow-covered mountaintop.
• The Plunge: After braving the icy summit, racers will plummet downward through a thrilling camelback descent.
• The Finale: The final stretch has vehicles weaving through an active geyser field, circling the erupting “Old Tankfull,” and racing to the finish line, where Lightning McQueen and Mater are broadcasting the event live for the Racing Sports Network.

Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along: For families traveling with younger guests, the land will also feature Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.

• The Experience: This highly entertaining, family-friendly flat ride invites guests to participate in the “wildest demolition derby yet.”
• The Star: The attraction is entirely themed around Miss Fritter, the fearsome and undefeated demolition derby champion from Cars 3. She will be featured as a massive, school-bus-sized animatronic hosting the chaotic, spinning bash!

Paving the Way for Progress

To bring this unprecedented expansion to life, Magic Kingdom’s landscape is already undergoing a historic transformation. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are already permanently closed to the public, with construction crews actively moving in to clear the way for Piston Peak.

While saying goodbye to these classic Frontierland staples marks the end of an era, it signals the beginning of an incredibly exciting future. Between the exhilarating races of Piston Peak National Park and the twisted new Disney Villains land being developed just beyond Big Thunder Mountain, Magic Kingdom is gearing up for a spectacular new golden age.

Buckle up, because the “wheelderness” is calling!