Walt Disney World’s famed Railroad is facing one of its most significant changes in decades. Track is being removed, routes rerouted, and operations shifted as Disney begins work on what is expected to be the largest land expansion in Magic Kingdom history. And for longtime fans of the Railroad, the news is both bittersweet and uncertain.
Track Removal Spotted Near Frontierland
Recent aerial imagery captured by @bioreconstruct has confirmed that sections of the Walt Disney World Railroad track have been fully removed in the northwestern portion of Magic Kingdom, specifically near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Rivers of America. What was once a complete circle around the park is now broken, and the classic “grand circle tour” is officially on pause.
Bioreconstruct stated, “Aerial look at the refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Steam train track removed at center.
Liberty Belle steamboat and Tom Sawyer Island rafts staged at right.”
Aerial look at the refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Steam train track removed at center.
Liberty Belle steamboat and Tom Sawyer Island rafts staged at right. pic.twitter.com/VLU51jwr4L— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 12, 2025
While Disney’s early permits suggested the track might stay intact during initial land-clearing operations, current visuals prove otherwise. The Railroad’s loop has been severed to make way for a sweeping transformation of this corner of the park.
A Park Divided: Main Street to Fantasyland Only
With the Frontierland segment of track inaccessible, the Railroad is operating with a reduced route. The attraction now runs exclusively between Main Street, U.S.A. and Fantasyland stations, bypassing Frontierland entirely. Disney has labeled the updated operation as a temporary change, though no formal end date has been given.
The digital park map has also been updated, removing the track entirely from the section between 6 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions on the loop, further reinforcing that this isn’t a short-term inconvenience—it’s a years-long reconfiguration.
Why the Change? Two Words: Massive Expansion
This railroad reroute isn’t arbitrary. It’s the direct result of a major overhaul in the works for Magic Kingdom. Crews are already preparing the area for demolition and rebuilding, starting with the draining of the Rivers of America and full removal of Tom Sawyer Island. The ultimate goal: to carve out enough space for two brand-new themed lands.
Disney plans to introduce a Cars-inspired “Piston Peak National Park” expansion of Frontierland and a long-anticipated Villains Land. These two additions are expected to dramatically reshape Magic Kingdom’s landscape and guest experience.
A Railroad in Limbo
What becomes of the Walt Disney World Railroad during and after this construction remains an open question. Disney has not committed publicly to a specific return date for the full-circle track, though estimates suggest 2028 at the earliest. More likely, the attraction won’t be fully restored until the major development is complete—which could stretch into the next decade.
That said, some hope remains. Speculation within the Disney community suggests the Railroad may be given new life with updated show scenes or even an enclosed tunnel through the new lands to preserve thematic immersion while keeping the train operational.
Operational Changes: A New Way to Ride
In the meantime, the Railroad has adapted to its shortened track with a few creative solutions. Most notably, the train now runs forward from Fantasyland to Main Street, then travels backward on the return trip. This shuttle-style experience is a first for Magic Kingdom.
To make things more fun—and possibly to help distract from the fact that the Railroad has been cut in half—Disney has added Stitch as a co-conductor. His cheerful narration plays during the 7-minute trip, offering light-hearted commentary that leans more into charm than continuity.
Cars in each train also feature mixed seating, with half the benches facing forward and the others backward, offering guests the choice of their preferred direction of travel.
Will the Magic Return?
Fans of the Railroad are hopeful this is merely a lengthy pause rather than the beginning of the end. Disney has not indicated the Railroad will be permanently truncated, and it remains one of the few original Magic Kingdom attractions still in operation.
Whether the Railroad is rerouted, rebuilt, or revitalized will depend on how the upcoming Cars and Villains lands are integrated. It’s possible Disney could use this as an opportunity to modernize the Railroad while keeping its legacy intact.
But for now, the “grand circle” is broken—and Magic Kingdom’s most nostalgic ride is on a very different track.
