Disney Announces The Gutting of Frontierland for Cars.
Well, just when you thought Disney couldn’t go any harder into IP they just posted art for the remainder of Frontierland changing it into Cars. All of Frontierland will now be based on “Cars” because Disneyland wasn’t enough.
Previously, it was announced that they would be removing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to add a new Cars attraction, but that wasn’t enough for Iger. Now they are turning all of Frontierland into Piston Peak National Park.
On the positive side, they put water back, just on the other side of the area, and not in front of The Haunted Mansion. There are also many trees for shade, which is nice.
Adding Cars was controversial, but changing all of Frontierland is probably not the way to go.
When they added Cars to Disneyland they didn’t ruin Frontierland to do so.
What’s next? Tomorrowland will be completely themed to Elio and Adventureland will be the all-female Pirates of the Caribbean or Strange World land?
Now, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure doesn’t even fit in with the theming at all. The original version would have tied in better to this new design.
Is Liberty Square remaining untouched to fit in with the Haunted Mansion?
Opinions on the concept art are mixed with some loving the changes and others saying that this is too far.
“Oh boy - can’t wait til probably five years from now!” - M. Mueller
“Looks amazing! Love the fact there will still be a waterfront in Frontierland, but this will be a new incredible expansion with amazing landscaping and attractions, and opens up the opportunity for Villains land behind it.”- K. Miller
“My ONLY complaint is I better not be standing in the queue for the Haunted Mansion hearing KCHOW!” - E. Timberlake
“Absolutely DO NOT want this in Frontierland. Just no. It was no connection to the theming. Frontierland is evokes an ERA, not just a generic “Western” location. The knuckleheads running DisneyParks have no idea about the property they are managing.
Almost every past Imagineer has come out against this concept in Frontierland. Put it at the Studios.” - J. Dreier”
“Ok, I absolutely love how they are going to keep a small river to tie everything together and pay homage to rivers of America. The Imagieers are doing a great job.” - N. Cox
“Adorable concept but it shouldn’t take away rivers of America or liberty belle” -N. Rose
“I feel better about this now. Looks like they are keeping river from the Haunted Mansion to just past Tiana’s. Keeping the riverfront will help the existing areas to retain the feel/ambiance they had before, while allowing the new stuff to fit in. A good compromise between tradition and change.” -P. Hummel
“Entitled disney adults living in the past are the absolute worst. Embrace change, it's gonna happen whether you like it or not. You stick with your nostalgic crapola and Universal will continue to leave you in the dust” - R. Hayward
“You know what - I’ve hated this concept from the announcement. But I’ve got to say, if they manage to preserve that waterfront and keep it green, I could be on board. I’ve changed from pessimistic to skeptical.” - S. Scheibal
Personally, I think this is to try to compete with Epic Universe and their fully themed lands. The question is will they stop just at this change?
How long will this take?
It’s cute for sure, but should Iger change the entire area for one IP?
What do you think? Comment and let us know.