NEED TO KNOW
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Walt Disney World has released details about the upcoming Cars-themed land, set to launch as part of the Piston Peak National Park transformation
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The Cars attraction was first announced at the Disney Experiences showcase at D23 on Aug. 10
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“Cars from around the country are fueling up to be the wildest racer in the ‘wheelderness,'” a Disney Parks Blog post read
Walt Disney World is gearing up for the “largest expansion” in the history of Magic Kingdom!
On Tuesday, June 3, the Orlando, Florida park released new details regarding the Piston Peak National Park transformation and the upcoming Pixar Cars-themed land, per a Disney Parks Blog post.
“Cars from around the country are fueling up to be the wildest racer in the ‘wheelderness,'” the post began. “Of course, we know that fans are curious to see how the exciting new backdrop for the big rally race will fit into the waters, landscapes, and storytelling at Magic Kingdom.”
It was announced that two new Cars-themed attractions would soon be built in Frontierland at the Disney Experiences showcase at D23 on Aug. 10.
In the latest post, the park announced that Piston Peak National Park “will continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has crossed Liberty Square and Frontierland” since it opened in the ’70s.
The post read, “Since the early days of Magic Kingdom, adventurous guests have traveled across space and time as they pass from Liberty Square to Frontierland.”
“At the heart of all these stories are heroic characters with a belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams,” the statement continued.
“To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom,” the park said.
The post continued, “Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers. While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.”
The park revealed that Piston Peak visitors would “be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.”
“To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called ‘Parkitecture,’ which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment,” the post added.
“From the outside, trees will provide a natural barrier between the off-road rally and other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Rugged mountains with dramatic peaks will be nestled along a calming waterway across from Grizzly Hall, and soaring geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of our off-road rally,” the description read.
The post also confirmed that amid the ongoing work on the park this summer, the attractions Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat would be closing from July 7.
“Imagineers are also hard at work beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, bringing to life the first-ever land inspired by the Disney Villains with two major attractions, dining, and shopping all on an incredibly twisted grand scale,” the park added.
Details of the off-road Cars vehicles heading to the park were first revealed at The Future of World-Building at Disney panel at SXSW in March, per a previous Disney Parks Blog post.
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen shared the news, with the latter saying, “Our primary goal is creating an emotional experience for our guests.”
“For this Cars attraction, we need to invent a new type of ride vehicle. No one builds these in a factory because it has to do so much more than just carrying you from one place to another. We have to create a car that conveys a feeling when you ride in it,” he added, per the post.
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The Imagineers worked with a motocross company after taking a trip to Arizona to experience driving in a real off-road vehicle on rocky terrain, the park said.
“We’re using a customized production vehicle,” Hundgen explained. “It has sensors all over it, and we’re taking it for test drives on our dirt track to gather data on how the vehicle responds to different terrain. This is where we turn that feeling we want into real-world engineering.”
A Disney spokesperson didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
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The post Walt Disney World Teases Details About New “Cars”-Themed Land amid ‘Largest Expansion’ in History of Magic Kingdom appeared first on People.
