Yahoo Lifestyle Fans Call Disney World’s Next Big Move the ‘Biggest Mistake They’ve Ever Made’
Disney World has big plans on the horizon—but not everyone is a fan of the major overhaul.
On Feb. 17, the South Florida Water Management District issued a permit giving the green light for Disney World in Orlando, Fla., to build two new lands in Magic Kingdom, Disney Tourist Blog and other publications reported.
The plans called for the demolition of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island and replaces them with Villains Land and Cars Land.
As Disney Tourist Blog pointed out, the permit isn't just for the 14-acre project site; it encompasses 300.82 acres around the Magic Kington area and outside the park. This includes 61.93 acres of "wetland and surface water impacts."
BREAKING: The South Florida Water Management District has approved the permit for the Magic Kingdom expansion at Walt Disney World.
Disney can now move forward with construction on the Cars-themed area and Villains Land, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history. pic.twitter.com/SSVgBrzfbP— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) February 17, 2025
Following the big news, reactions from Disney World enthusiasts were divided on social media.
One X user wrote, in part, "They are actually about to make the absolute biggest mistake they've ever made to one of the most beautiful Disney parks in the world. Good Lord."
Another critic shared, "I would be more inclined to be onboard with the cars land if it was just the back half or the river and beyond that was villains land. Loosing [sic] the front of the river is like loosing [sic] the heartbeat of both liberty square and Frontierland."
Others called it "horrible news" and a "terrible move," as yet another snarked, "Wow. can’t wait to see how it looks 10 years from now when it’s actually done."
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However, other Disney fans genuinely looked forward to the changes to Magic Kingdom.
One person shared they were "so excited about this, "adding, "I just went to tom sawyer island for the first time in 20 years. and it was just as bad lmao. waste of space."
Someone else exclaimed, "LETS GOOOOO," as a different X user declared, "FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!"
Although it's unclear what the timeline is for Disney World's ambitious expansion, the permit expires in five years—on Feb. 17, 2030—unless extended.
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