Walt Disney World is pressing ahead with one of the most consequential changes Magic Kingdom has seen in decades, and the scope of that change is becoming impossible to ignore. Additional sections of Frontierland’s original footprint are now permanently gone, with demolition and large-scale site preparation confirming that Disney is not scaling back its plans—only accelerating them.
According to a January 8th report by Blog Mickey, recent construction photos show continued grading, material staging, and land reshaping across the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island area. What once functioned as a natural divider between Frontierland and Liberty Square has been completely stripped away, replaced by dirt, construction vehicles, and newly defined elevation lines. The transformation is no longer conceptual. It’s physical, visible, and irreversible.
What Has Already Been Removed
The most notable loss remains the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, both of which closed permanently in 2025. Since then, crews have been steadily working to eliminate the river basin altogether. Recent images show the former island being lowered to match the surrounding land, a clear sign that the waterway will not return in any form.
Disney has also continued clearing areas beyond the river itself. Tree removal behind nearby attractions and expanded construction zones indicate that the project’s footprint stretches further than many guests initially assumed. This isn’t a tight, contained build. It’s a sweeping reconfiguration of a major section of the park.
Construction Signals a New Frontierland Layout
As demolition gives way to early construction, the shape of Frontierland’s future is becoming clearer. New construction materials have arrived on site, and freshly poured themed pavement has appeared near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. These changes suggest that Disney is already integrating permanent infrastructure into the new layout, not simply preparing land for later phases.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad itself remains closed but is expected to reopen later in 2026. When it does, it will return subtly adjusted to better blend with the surrounding environment. Disney has been careful to frame these changes as enhancements rather than replacements, positioning the attraction as a bridge between Frontierland’s past and its future.
A Land That Will Look Nothing Like Before
When construction is complete, this area of Magic Kingdom will no longer function as a traditional frontier town centered around a river. Instead, it will become a fully reimagined environment inspired by America’s National Parks and the broader American West. The new land, Piston Peak National Park, will introduce mountain terrain, waterfalls, dense tree coverage, and shaded pathways—elements designed to create immersion rather than nostalgia.
Two new Cars-themed attractions are planned, including a marquee off-road rally ride and a second, family-friendly experience. Together, they will anchor a land that emphasizes motion, elevation, and cinematic scale.
For longtime fans, the permanent removal of so much classic Frontierland is a difficult shift. But Disney’s actions make one thing clear: this is not a temporary experiment. Frontierland is being rewritten, and the version guests once knew is not coming back.
