Piston Peak National Park Unveiled at Walt Disney World, Marking Magic Kingdom's Largest Expansion

Walt Disney World has officially unveiled details about its upcoming *Cars*-themed land, set to be named Piston Peak National Park. As part of what Disney describes as the "largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom," this immersive new area will transform parts of Frontierland and mark a significant evolution for the park.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, construction on Piston Peak National Park is scheduled to begin this summer. As a result, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close starting July 7 to make way for this exciting transformation.

Disney has shared more insight into the vision behind Piston Peak, promising an expansive wilderness filled with natural elements that evoke the majesty of American national parks. The design draws inspiration from the Rocky Mountains and the historical spirit of the American Frontier, featuring towering trees, snowcapped mountains, roaring rivers, dramatic waterfalls, and dynamic geysers.

While rooted in the world of Disney and Pixar's *Cars*, Piston Peak will function like a real-life national park, complete with a visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, and scenic trails. To enhance the authenticity of the setting, Imagineers are utilizing a design approach known as "Parkitecture"—a rustic architectural style developed by the National Park Service to blend structures naturally into their surroundings.

The layout also includes dense tree coverage to create a seamless visual transition between Piston Peak and the adjacent areas of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Dramatic mountain peaks will line a peaceful waterway across from Grizzly Hall, while soaring geysers—echoing those from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—will integrate into the landscape of the off-road rally trails.

New Cars Attractions Revealed

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First announced at D23 2024, Piston Peak National Park will feature two all-new attractions inspired by the *Cars* franchise. The first is an action-packed rally race through rugged mountain terrain, where guests can “race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers, and — Mater's favorite — splashing through mudholes.”

The second attraction offers a more family-friendly experience, designed especially with younger fans in mind while still delivering fun for all ages. During SXSW 2025, Disney Parks gave a sneak peek into the custom ride vehicles being developed for the rally race, explaining that they needed to engineer something entirely new to capture the unique sensation of riding in a *Cars*-style vehicle. Each car features its own personality, name, and number—staying true to the charm of the film series.

A Larger Vision for Magic Kingdom

Piston Peak National Park represents just one phase of Magic Kingdom’s ambitious long-term development plan. In the future, the park will also welcome its first-ever land based on Disney Villains, further expanding the storytelling possibilities.

In the near term, guests can look forward to the debut of the Disney Starlight nighttime parade on July 20 as part of Disney World's Cool Kid Summer celebration. Additionally, later this year, a new Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired dining spot called The Beak and Barrel will open its doors, offering a fresh thematic experience rooted in another beloved Disney franchise.