A brand-new adventure is revving its engines at Magic Kingdom.
Disney has officially given fans a closer look at Piston Peak National Park, the upcoming Cars-themed area that will transform a large section of Frontierland into a rugged wilderness inspired by the American West.
And now, thanks to a newly unveiled model at D23, we’re getting one of our best looks yet at what this ambitious new area could look like when it opens.
Piston Peak will be part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, bringing two new Cars attractions, immersive scenery and an entirely new setting to the park.
Welcome to Piston Peak National Park
Forget the desert landscape of Radiator Springs.
Piston Peak is taking the Cars universe in a completely different direction.
Disney Imagineers are creating a fictional national park inspired by the Rocky Mountain region, complete with towering peaks, waterfalls, rivers, forests and geysers. The area is being designed to feel like a natural extension of Frontierland rather than a standalone Cars land.
The land will include elements such as a visitor lodge, Ranger HQ and wilderness trails, all incorporated into the Cars universe.
Even the architecture is being designed to fit into the environment. Imagineers are using a style known as “Parkitecture,” inspired by the way structures in national parks are designed to blend into their surroundings.
Disney has also explained that the landscape will help create natural transitions between Piston Peak, Frontierland and Liberty Square.
The Cars Characters Are Heading Into the Wilderness
The new area will bring familiar Cars characters into an entirely new environment.
Lightning McQueen and other racers will be leaving Radiator Springs behind as they head into the wilderness for a high-speed adventure.
The centerpiece of Piston Peak will be an off-road rally attraction where guests will race across rugged terrain.
Disney has teased a ride experience featuring mountain trails, geysers, mudholes and unpredictable terrain. Imagineers have even tested different prototypes and off-road experiences to capture the feeling of driving through a wild landscape.
And unlike a traditional roller coaster following a fixed track, the attraction is being designed to give the sensation of an unpredictable off-road race.
In other words: expect things to get messy.
There Will Be a Second Cars Attraction
The rally race isn’t the only attraction coming to Piston Peak.
Disney previously confirmed that a second Cars attraction will be designed with younger guests and families in mind.
A newly revealed model displayed at D23 has given fans their first look at this attraction as well.
The model appears to show a ride inspired by Miss Fritter, the demolition derby-loving school bus from Cars 3. While Disney has showcased the attraction in the model, guests will want to keep an eye out for additional official details as development continues.
Together, the two attractions are expected to give Piston Peak something for both thrill-seekers and younger Cars fans.
A Massive New Landscape
One of the most impressive things about the new D23 model isn’t just the attractions—it’s the sheer scale of the environment surrounding them.
The model showcases Piston Peak as a sprawling wilderness filled with mountains, waterways, bridges, trails and dense vegetation.
Snow-capped peaks rise behind the attractions, while a river winds through the landscape.
The goal is to make guests feel as though they’ve stepped into a national park that just happens to be populated by Cars characters.
The Rocky Mountain inspiration is particularly noticeable in the towering rockwork and rugged scenery. Imagineers have even visited Rocky Mountain National Park as part of their research for the project.
A Very Different Look for Frontierland
Piston Peak isn’t being built on unused land.
The new Cars area is replacing the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island area of Magic Kingdom.
Those longtime Frontierland experiences permanently closed beginning July 7, 2025, as Disney began making room for the new expansion.
For longtime Disney fans, that makes Piston Peak an especially significant change.
The quiet river, island trails and Liberty Square Riverboat represented a slower, more exploratory side of Magic Kingdom.
Now, that same area is being transformed into a much larger wilderness environment centered around racing, exploration and Pixar storytelling.
Disney is attempting to connect the new land to the existing Frontierland story rather than simply dropping a Cars attraction into the park.
Piston Peak Is Part of a Much Bigger Magic Kingdom Transformation
Cars is only one piece of the major changes happening at Magic Kingdom.
Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney is also developing a brand-new Villains-themed land, which will feature two major attractions along with dining and shopping.
Together, these projects represent the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.
Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has already reopened with new enhancements, giving guests another updated experience while construction continues around the park.
It’s clear that the Magic Kingdom guests know today is going to look very different over the next several years.
When Will Piston Peak Open?
Disney has not yet announced a specific opening date for Piston Peak National Park.
Construction is actively underway, and the newly unveiled D23 model gives fans a much better idea of the scope of the finished project.
For now, Disney fans will have to wait for more information on opening timing, attraction details and additional experiences coming to the land.
But one thing is already clear: Piston Peak is going to be much more than a Cars ride.
It’s being designed as an entire wilderness environment—complete with mountains, rivers, trails and plenty of Pixar personality.
And if the massive model unveiled at D23 is any indication, this could end up being one of the most visually dramatic additions ever made to Magic Kingdom.
Planning a Future Disney World Vacation?
With major new attractions and lands on the horizon, there has never been a better time to start thinking about your next Walt Disney World vacation.
An Academy Travel advisor can help you plan around new attraction openings, choose the right resort and tickets, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your Disney vacation.
