Amid Backlash, Disney Tries To Hide What It’s Doing to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort is making major changes in Magic Kingdom Park’s Frontierland, but those behind the construction are doing their best to keep guests from seeing the transformation unfold. After nearly two months of work and constant backlash from Disney Parks fans, Walt Disney Imagineers are taking steps to hide the ongoing demolition of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.

In early July 2025, Walt Disney World Resort permanently closed the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat as part of a large reimagining of Frontierland. The decision to drain the Rivers of America, along with the demolition of Tom Sawyer Island, signaled the start of an unpopular new chapter for this area of Magic Kingdom Park.

At D23 Expo 2024, Disney revealed plans for two new Cars (2006)-themed attractions coming to this section of the park. The newly envisioned area, Piston Peak National Park, will feature a thrilling rally race ride and a family-friendly attraction, all inspired by America’s national parks. Early concept art suggests that existing elements of the Rivers of America, including barrel bridges and water features, will be incorporated into the new Frontierland area.

While Magic Kingdom Park guests have been able to catch glimpses of the ongoing work so far, Disney has now begun actively working to block the view of the construction. According to BlogMickey, crews have started installing scaffolding around the riverbed area to block Magic Kingdom guests from seeing the demolition process firsthand. These barricades first appeared near the Frontierland boardwalk, close to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and as construction progresses, more walls and scaffolding are expected to go up.

Aerial look at former Tom Sawyer Island. Rivers of America is being drained.

In addition to the work on Piston Peak National Park, Disney is clearing space for a future Disney Villains land beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This expansion is already underway, with construction teams bulldozing trees to create space for both a staging area and a trailer office complex. This site will serve as the home base for work on Piston Peak National Park and the new Disney Villains-themed land.

Walt Disney World Resort has not yet announced a specific timeline for opening Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom Park.

Have you had a chance to look at the construction in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!