If you’ve been following the massive transformation happening at Magic Kingdom, here’s the latest update. Disney just filed a new construction permit for the former site of Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island, confirming that Piston Peak National Park construction is pushing further into that section of the park.
Walt Disney Imagineering filed the Notice of Commencement on July 1, calling for general construction at 4975C Caribbean Way, which is the former address of Aunt Polly’s. The contractor named is Phillips, a company that specializes in civil and power infrastructure work. That suggests this particular phase isn’t about building a major themed structure just yet, but is more likely tied to the planned river and water features that will be part of Piston Peak.
A Quick Reminder About What Was There Before
If you never made it to Aunt Polly’s before it closed, it was honestly one of Magic Kingdom’s more unique spots. You had to take a raft across the Rivers of America to get to Tom Sawyer Island first, which was part of the charm. Once you were there, Aunt Polly’s was a small seasonal quick-service window with outdoor patio seating overlooking the river. You could watch the Liberty Belle steamboat drift by while eating pulled pork sliders or sipping a root beer float.
It only opened during the busiest times of year, like spring break and Christmas week, which made it feel like a hidden gem for guests who happened to visit during those windows.
Aunt Polly’s closed permanently on July 7, 2025, when Tom Sawyer Island shut down along with the Rivers of America and the Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for Piston Peak construction. The building was demolished in 2025 as part of the land clearing for the new Cars-themed area.
What Piston Peak Actually Is
If you’re not up to speed on Piston Peak National Park, here’s the quick version. It’s a new Cars-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland area, and Disney has described it as part of the largest expansion in the park’s history.
The land is set in a fictional wilderness inspired by the Rocky Mountain region and the American frontier, designed to feel like a natural extension of the storytelling that already runs through Liberty Square and Frontierland. Think towering trees, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, roaring rivers, and geysers, all built in a style called Parkitecture that’s meant to blend the structures naturally into the landscape.
Two attractions are planned. One is an off-road rally race ride, and the other is a family-friendly attraction. There’s also a new original character being introduced called Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, inspired by the classic Disney cartoon character Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore.
The Bigger Picture at Magic Kingdom Right Now
Piston Peak is just one piece of a much larger transformation happening at Magic Kingdom. On the other side of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney is also building an entirely new Villains-themed land with two major attractions, dining, and shopping.
For fans who remember the quieter days of crossing the river on a raft to explore Tom Sawyer Island, watching all of this unfold is a lot to take in. But based on what Disney has shown so far, Piston Peak is shaping up to be something pretty special for the park’s future.
