Disney Kicks off New Frontierland Overhaul, Debut Expected This Summer

Construction on a long-anticipated Frontierland refresh at Disneyland Paris Resort has reached its most visible milestone yet.

Excavation Begins for the Bison Scene

On Monday, X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DLPWorks shared a detailed construction analysis documenting the latest progress along the Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland at Disneyland Park:

[Analysis] 🚧🦬 The bison scene is being installed at Riverboat!!

➡️ The 4th scene added to the banks of Riverboat is currently being installed. It will depict three bison watching prairie dogs emerging from their burrows.
➡️ Visible from the Molly Brown, the gravel excavation work has begun. The cavity that will be used to bury the statues’ supports is covered with a tarp held down by stones.
➡️ The placement of the figurines corresponds to that shown in the concept art from #DisneylandParis. The deer scene has not undergone any visible changes since last week.
➡️ The installation of the 4 new scenes is scheduled for the end of summer 2026.

[Analysis] 🚧🦬 The bison scene is being installed at Riverboat!!

➡️ The 4th scene added to the banks of Riverboat is currently being installed. It will depict three bison watching prairie dogs emerging from their burrows.
➡️ Visible from the Molly Brown, the gravel excavation… https://t.co/vBAwleNKe7 pic.twitter.com/dzE05FRdHm

— DLP Works (@DLPWorks) June 15, 2026

Gravel excavation is now underway along the riverbank, with a tarp-covered cavity marking the spot where structural supports for the bison figures will be buried. The placement already corresponds to the original concept art released by Disneyland Paris Resort — meaning what guests will eventually see from the Molly Brown riverboat is taking shape exactly as designed.

The Vision Behind the Scenes

The four new additions to the Rivers of the Far West banks are rooted in the creative legacy of Marc Davis — a Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend whose original concept art for riverfront vignettes inspired the entire project. Disneyland Paris Resort announced plans to bring four of those concepts to life last year, with work beginning in earnest earlier in 2026.

The scene now under construction will show three bison watching prairie dogs emerge from their burrows along the riverbank. Earlier scenes, including raccoons and a skunk playing on a floating tree trunk, are already further along in the installation process.

All four scenes are scheduled to be in place by the end of summer 2026.

Open for Business Throughout

Guests don’t have to wait for the project to finish to start enjoying it. Construction is being carried out overnight to keep Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing fully operational, and the recently refurbished Molly Brown riverboat is currently the best vantage point on Disneyland Park property to watch the installation progress in real time.

Have you ever been on the Molly Brown riverboat at Disneyland Paris Resort? Share your favorite memories with Disney Dining in the comments!