Country Bear Big Al Next on the Chopping Block During Frontierland Overhaul at Magic Kingdom
Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park lost the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat last year. Now it appears that Big Al is next to go.
A Land in the Middle of a Makeover
The updates to Frontierland have been stacking up for years. Splash Mountain was rethemed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The updated Country Bear Musical Jamboree show debuted. At the time of this reporting, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is in the middle of its most intensive overhaul ever.
Last year, more changes in Frontierland rocked Magic Kingdom Park guests. The Rivers of America was drained, Tom Sawyer Island was bulldozed, and the Liberty Square Riverboat was retired permanently…all to clear space for what’s coming next.
That next chapter is Piston Peak National Park, a Cars (2006)-inspired land announced at D23 Expo 2024. Drawing from the natural landscapes of America’s national parks, the new area will bring two original attractions to Magic Kingdom Park: a family-friendly experience featuring a new character named Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, and a rally race-style thrill ride. Neither attraction has a confirmed opening date.
Big Al’s Days Are Numbered
Last month, construction permits flagged two more Frontierland locations as casualties of the Piston Peak National Park expansion: Westward Ho, a Quick-Service dining cart, and Big Al’s, a merchandise kiosk that has operated out of a converted former ticket booth across from Frontierland Trading Post.
Both locations are still open, and Walt Disney World Resort has not announced exact closure dates for either.
On April 16, WDWNT reported that overnight construction crews had erected plywood barriers along the Frontierland boardwalk, with the walls positioned closest to the Big Al’s kiosk. The boardwalk remains walkable, though guests passing through will find construction walls and scrim hemming them in on both sides, offering little scenery as the transformation continues around them.
The walkway is expected to stay open when Piston Peak National Park eventually debuts, though temporary closures during active construction phases remain possible.
What do you think of all the changes in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
