For years, Walt Disney World has been a sentimental haven, a place where cherished memories are created that endure throughout one’s lifetime, and where multiple generations have delighted in the iconic attractions that form its rich heritage. However, Disney’s recent unveilings at SXSW 2025 have fueled concerns among fans, as it appears some of Disney World’s most treasured aspects, such as Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D, are being phased out to accommodate fresh, technology-focused experiences based on new intellectual properties.
Meanwhile, some fans are expressing their concerns about the commercialization and decline of these cherished establishments, Disney boasts about what could potentially be seen as a self-made injury that dismantled what was initially Walt Disney’s vision.
Although Disney presents these modifications as fresh and thrilling, it’s important to note that they often involve the sacrifice of cherished attractions and the unique theming that once created a genuinely immersive park experience.
Rivers of America at Walt Disney World Will Be Removed for a Cars Ride
One striking transformation that has occurred is the elimination of the Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, to pave the way for a novel attraction based on the movie Cars. This fresh ride promises an exhilarating off-road rally experience, unlike the Radiator Springs Racers found at Disneyland, and stands out as something unique.
The environment for the journey will feature rocky terrains, geysers, and challenging uphill paths. However, an important question arises regarding its compatibility with Frontierland.
The dedication plaque for Frontierland reads:
In this place, we delve into the tale of our nation’s history. We witness the vibrant theater of the Wild West during the thrilling era of covered wagons and stagecoaches. The arrival of the railroad and the enchanting riverboats are also highlighted. Frontierland serves as a homage to the belief, bravery, and resourcefulness of the pioneers who carved paths across America.
As a movie buff, I find myself questioning Disney’s request for us to embrace the idea that talking cars with cartoon faces are fitting additions to a land meant to celebrate the pioneers who molded early America. The elimination of riverboats and traditional waterways seems to directly contradict Frontierland’s original theme.
At one point, such a scenario would have been inconceivable. Disney’s theming was unparalleled, with the story and immersive experience for guests being top priority, as they had come to expect from the company. However, under the leadership of Josh D’Amaro in the current Disney Parks and Experiences department, there appears to be a diminished appreciation for the work of industry legends like Tony Baxter and Marty Sklar. Their actions seem to disregard even the vision of Walt Disney himself, as the alteration of the Rivers of America at Disney World serves as evidence.
Disney’s Off-Road Testing and Fan Backlash
In order to create the immersive “Cars” ride, Imagineers constructed a genuine dirt track and conducted tests with vehicles in a rugged outdoor setting. Disney highlighted this method on their social media platforms, underscoring their commitment to employing real-life engineering techniques to deliver an authentic experience.
However, fans have been quick to criticize these updates online.
In venues such as Reddit and TikTok, numerous individuals have expressed their views about the incongruity of this particular attraction within Frontierland. Some are also puzzled as to why Disney is prioritizing the integration of new intellectual property attractions into traditional lands rather than establishing a separate Pixar expansion elsewhere.
The pushback underscores an increasing worry from supporters – it seems that Disney is placing more emphasis on integrating the brand across various platforms, rather than maintaining consistent storylines within their theme parks.
Muppets Losing Their Dedicated Space at Hollywood Studios
I’m thrilled to share that the transformations we’ve been making aren’t confined to Magic Kingdom alone. At SXSW, we unabashedly announced our exciting plans for a major overhaul of MuppetVision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s an exhilarating time!
In a significant shift, the beloved Muppet Courtyard is being reimagined to give birth to Monstropolis – an exciting new zone inspired by Monsters, Inc.. This change brings sadness to fans of the Muppets, as it signifies the closure of a special nook in the park dedicated solely to these iconic characters. Furthermore, it marks the disappearance of one of Jim Henson’s final creative endeavors from the park landscape.
Disney is not getting rid of the Muppets altogether; instead, they are revamping Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with a Muppets theme. While this move may demonstrate that Disney still values the IP, it should be noted that the new Muppets showcase very few of the original performers who worked alongside Jim Henson, including Richard Hunt, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire, and others. Some fans argue that this change seems more like a quick effort to reuse an existing attraction rather than upholding the authenticity of Henson’s legacy by featuring characters made popular by these legends.
The Growing IP Problem at Walt Disney World
Disney’s habit of integrating contemporary franchises into established areas is nothing novel, but the recent updates seem to solidify a concerning pattern in their approach.
In my experience, instead of introducing fresh themed zones, the company seems to be refurbishing cherished spaces to accommodate whatever new franchise they plan to showcase next. For instance, placing a “Cars” ride in Frontierland or transforming Muppet Courtyard into Monstropolis demonstrates a lack of emphasis on maintaining the authentic theme that originally defined these parks.
Removing Rivers of America in Walt Disney World signifies one of the biggest thematic losses in Magic Kingdom’s history to date. With its removal, one may wonder what other changes could be on the horizon. If Disney is prepared to eliminate an original feature from opening day, it raises questions about the future of any classic attraction. Could Liberty Square, a land dedicated to the founding of the United States, potentially transform into just another themed area that melds with the Haunted Mansion intellectual property? (This version maintains the original’s structure while using more contemporary language and phrasing.)
It would be unwise to put anything past D’Amaro and his cronies at this point.
Final Thoughts: Is Anything Sacred at Disney World?
Though Disney’s creative team has put in a lot of effort to create these novel attractions, it’s essential to acknowledge that such innovations often necessitate sacrifices. Some timeless areas are being altered or eliminated, revamped to accommodate the latest Disney franchise promotion. These alterations impact cherished experiences and iconic features that have been woven into countless memories spanning five decades. Unfortunately, these changes, which many find undesirable, are being presented with Josh D’Amaro’s characteristic corporate charm.
The strong reactions towards the Cars attraction and the disappearance of Muppet Courtyard reveal an increasing level of dissatisfaction among passionate visitors to the park.
When do we start noticing that the unique charm of Walt Disney World is fading away? It’s a valid question for fans to ponder: Has anything truly magical remained at Disney these days?
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2025-03-11 00:57