Frontierland Death Begins: Disney Transforms Landscape of Magic Kingdom Overnight
In a shocking shift to the landscape of Magic Kingdom, Disney has removed hundreds of trees outside Frontierland. This marks the beginning of significant changes, making way for new attractions inspired by the Cars (2006) franchise and other ongoing developments that will reshape the Old West-themed land forever.
The tree removal is part of the larger transformation plan for Frontierland, which was first revealed at the D23 Expo 2024. Disney’s vision for the area includes creating Piston Peak National Park, named after Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014), inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks. The new area will incorporate elements from the classic Frontierland, like barrel bridges and water features, ensuring that some of the nostalgic charm of the original land remains intact.
This overhaul also ties in with the ongoing changes happening throughout the park, like Splash Mountain’s transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree refresh, and the closure of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade for a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge. This weekend, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close permanently to accommodate the new Cars-themed area. The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster is undergoing a year-long refurbishment to add “new magic” to the classic attraction and prepare it for increased foot traffic during the Frontierland construction.
The removal of the trees started this week, and it is clear that Walt Disney World Resort is moving quickly. The area behind Frontierland is now bare, with hundreds (if not thousands) of trees cleared to make room for construction. This new landscape can be seen from the Walt Disney World Monorail, near a canal from the Seven Seas Lagoon.
According to reports from WDWNT, large construction vehicles, excavators, and piles of logs have been spotted onsite, and crews have begun laying down gravel in the area. It’s important to note that this cleared land will not be part of the Piston Peak National Park expansion but will instead be used as a storage area for construction equipment during the overhaul process.
The transformation of Frontierland is just part of an overhaul at the Magic Kingdom. The company has also begun work on a new Disney Villains land that will extend the park “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” Though little information about the Disney Villains land has been shared, construction has already started.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an opening date for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land. The closures of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will take effect on July 7, 2025, with the last day for Magic Kingdom Park guests to experience both attractions being July 6, 2025.
What do you hope to see in Piston Peak National Park at the Magic Kingdom? Share your ideas with Disney Dining in the comments!
