A historic corner of Magic Kingdom Park is nearly unrecognizable as construction crews continue dismantling large portions of Frontierland to make room for multiple expansions. Guests walking through the area now move along tight paths bordered by plywood walls, and new aerial footage confirms just how dramatically the land has changed behind the barricades.
Aerial Video of Frontierland’s Transformation
While construction walls hide most of the ongoing work, a recent aerial video from YouTuber bioreconstruct shows that the former Tom Sawyer Island and the entire Rivers of America basin have been fully drained and flattened. What once featured winding trails, wooden bridges, and the Liberty Square Riverboat route has been replaced with vast, leveled stretches of dirt. The footage reveals that crews also removed sections of the Walt Disney World Railroad track to support the construction effort.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DSNYNewscast pointed out the completely leveled island, the cleared equipment yard, and the newly opened staging areas used for the early phases of the expansion:
🚗Piston Peak (Cars) & 😈 Villains Land construction:
• Tom Sawyer Island has been completely levelled.
• Land grading continues on the former Rivers of America basin.
• Laydown Yard beyond train berm has been cleared.
• Railroad tracks completely lifted for easier construction access.
🚗Piston Peak (Cars) & 😈 Villains Land construction:
• Tom Sawyer Island has been completely levelled.
• Land grading continues on the former Rivers of America basin.
• Laydown Yard beyond train berm has been cleared.
• Railroad tracks completely lifted for easier… https://t.co/DfFJ1njRdG— DSNY Newscast (@DSNYNewscast) December 1, 2025
Some of the most recognizable parts of Frontierland are now reduced to bare ground as Walt Disney Imagineering prepares for the future of Magic Kingdom Park.
Piston Peak National Park Takes Shape
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the Cars (2006)-inspired Piston Peak National Park will replace much of the original Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. The new land will feature two attractions, including a rally race thrill ride and a family experience with Park Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore. To construct the area, Disney retired the Liberty Square Riverboat, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island, all of which welcomed their final guests in July 2025.
Since then, the transformation has accelerated. Earlier in the year, numerous trees were cleared to create an equipment staging area on the Magic Kingdom perimeter. Once crews drained the waterway and removed the island, the space became the central work zone for the early phases of Piston Peak National Park.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Continues Its Major Overhaul
One of Frontierland’s remaining anchor attractions, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, is also deep into a year-long refurbishment. The coaster closed on January 6, 2025, to allow for complete track replacement, repainted ride vehicles, and a refreshed Rainbow Caverns scene. Guests have spotted Walt Disney Imagineers testing the updated coaster several times throughout the fall, with trains slowly moving along the new track.
Disney announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen in spring 2026, promising “new magic” when the attraction returns. Until then, additional construction walls around the entrance and the closure of the Frontierland Walt Disney World Railroad station create even tighter walkways for guests passing through the land.
Disney Villains Land Rises Beyond Big Thunder Mountain
Another major project shaping the future of Frontierland is the long-anticipated Disney Villains land, also announced at the D23 Expo 2024. Walt Disney World Resort has described the new land as the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. While details remain limited, the project is expected to feature new attractions, dining options, character encounters, and shops. Local authorities recently approved a permit for two onsite offices that Imagineers will use to oversee the work.
With multiple construction zones active at once, the Walt Disney World Railroad currently operates only in shuttle mode between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A., bypassing the Frontierland station.
How Long Will the Transformation Continue?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s reopening date is set for spring 2026, but Walt Disney World Resort has not shared completion timelines for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land. With large sections of Frontierland now cleared and awaiting new foundations, the transformation is far from over. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park through the next several seasons can expect continued construction as Imagineering reshapes one of the park’s most iconic areas.
Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America with Piston Peak National Park? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
I think it was a big mistake for Disney world imagineers to go out of their way to rip up rivers of America. They should’ve rethemed it to Mama Odies Bayou Island. The cars ride they are building over Tom Sawyer Island isn’t going to do very well since it’s going to look like an eyesore and a mis themed land.
Don’t get me wrong I do want a cars ride but not in frontier land or New Orleans square. Cartoon cars do not mesh well with frontier land or New Orleans square. They should’ve built cars land elsewhere and kept the river boat. I think Disney world magic Kingdom main area is not going to have much park attendance in the coming years. Hollywood studios, Epcot, animal Kingdom would probably do better. Disney imagineers screwed up big time and wasted a lot of money On cars lands in a cowboy setting.
I’m still disappointed in Tianas Bayou Adventure ride being barebones. It could’ve been a big hit if they would add more bottle lights, spoonbill birds, lady butterflies and a miniature showboat. I hope Tianas Bayou Adventure ride closes so they can retheme Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride with more to look at.
As for villains land I’m not hopeful they’ll make it good especially since Lawrence and Dr facilier was excluded from Tianas Bayou Adventure ride. Also ticket prices are now too expensive for middle class families. I may not be able to go to Disney world.