Frontierland Overhaul: Disney Announces Another Magic Kingdom Attraction Transformation
The Magic Kingdom has announced another exciting transformation, this time in Frontierland. Walt Disney World Resort fans were initially shocked when a well-known attraction in the area closed due to COVID-19, but now, the magic is returning—albeit in a completely new way.
After five years of absence, the Prairie Outpost shop in Frontierland is officially reopening its doors. However, this isn’t exactly the return many might have hoped for. Instead of the charming sweets shop that guests remembered, the new store is taking on a completely different vibe.
In March 2020, Disney parks around the world closed their doors in response to the pandemic. While some locations reopened quickly, all faced temporary closures and major changes in the years that followed. The pandemic forever altered the landscape of the parks, making them a little less familiar to fans who once experienced them in a different way.
Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom has seen its fair share of these changes, with many favorite attractions and dining spots never quite returning to their previous forms. One of the casualties of this transformation was the Prairie Outpost in Frontierland, a beloved shop that once offered a variety of treats like caramel apples, cake pops, and cookies.
When Magic Kingdom reopened in July 2020, the Prairie Outpost was conspicuously absent, with no word on when or if it would ever return. For years, Disney Parks fans had to accept that the store had been permanently closed—until now.
As part of Frontierland’s ongoing overhaul, which has seen attractions like Splash Mountain transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Prairie Outpost is getting a fresh new look. But this time, instead of candy and baked goods, guests will find something entirely different. The new store focuses on headwear.
“Become a fashion pioneer when you shop for wide-brimmed hats, classic fedoras, customized headwear and more at this stylish shop in Frontierland,” Walt Disney World Resort writes of the reimagined merchandise location.
But Prairie Outpost isn’t the only location in Frontierland changing. The announcement comes in the midst of a much larger transformation sweeping through Magic Kingdom. Next month, Frontierland will see more changes as the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will permanently close to make way for two new Cars (2006) themed attractions. This updated Frontierland area will be called Piston Peak National Park.
In addition to these major changes, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride is undergoing a significant refurbishment, which includes updates to the tracks and other “new magic.” This refurbishment is expected to last a year, and the improvements will likely help accommodate the increased traffic from the new Cars area and a planned Disney Villains expansion.
As of June 30, 2025, the newly reimagined Prairie Outpost is open and welcoming guests. The store operates during the same hours as Magic Kingdom Park. However, visitors are advised to check the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World Resort’s official website for the most up-to-date operational details.
Which transformation in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is your favorite? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
