Walt Disney World Resort is pressing ahead on a new stage of the demolition and construction in the former Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom Park.
Over the weekend, Disney Parks fans on social media got a first look at the latest changes, as photos from a Walt Disney World Resort guest offered an inside glimpse of the work taking place. The images shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct revealed that crews have started the silt removal process in the former riverbed near Tom Sawyer Island.
Current work in the demolition of Rivers of America is removing silt from the river bed.
Current work in the demolition of Rivers of America is removing silt from the river bed. pic.twitter.com/JfU52X9e2f
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 13, 2025
The photos show heavy equipment staged in the dry riverbed, covered with a tan tarp that helps it blend into the existing surroundings.
Views of silt removal and some staging at former Rivers of America.
Views of silt removal and some staging at former Rivers of America. pic.twitter.com/VmEIfPyEeD
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 13, 2025
The transformation began at D23 Expo 2024, when Walt Disney Imagineers revealed a Cars (2006)-themed area slated for Magic Kingdom Park’s Frontierland. Fans now know that the Frontierland area will be called Piston Peak National Park and feature a rally race thrill attraction, a family-friendly ride, and familiar elements from the existing landscape, such as barrel bridges.
Before these attractions closed, Disney began preparing for the construction work. Thousands of trees were cleared from the border of Magic Kingdom Park to make room for a staging area and trailer office complex. This lot will serve as the base for both the Piston Peak National Park project and the development of a new Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
As the rides and attractions in Frontierland and Liberty Square were closed, the park quickly erected construction walls around the area. Disney also began draining the Rivers of America, a process that took several weeks and had to be repeated due to heavy rainfall. Crews are now focused on removing the old Liberty Square Riverboat tracks and setting up scaffolding to support taller construction walls, which will keep the work hidden from park guests.
@bioreconstruct also shared photos that offered a closer look at the construction wall project in the former Rivers of America.
Scaffolding in progress along the walkway at former Rivers of America. Likely a support structure for tall construction fencing rising from the river bed.
Scaffolding in progress along the walkway at former Rivers of America. Likely a support structure for tall construction fencing rising from the river bed. pic.twitter.com/6XlsAxFUC4
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 13, 2025
One of the photos shows a completed barrier near the Haunted Mansion queue, giving Magic Kingdom Park guests a preview of what to expect as the entire Rivers of America area is sectioned off for construction.
Former Rivers of America near the where the Liberty Belle riverboat used to dock. Arrow at scaffolding backing tall supports of a construction fence along the queue of The Haunted Mansion.
Former Rivers of America near the where the Liberty Belle riverboat used to dock.
Arrow at scaffolding backing tall supports of a construction fence along the queue of The Haunted Mansion. pic.twitter.com/md1ZMBSvdv— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 13, 2025
While Walt Disney World Resort has not yet revealed a grand opening date for Piston Peak National Park or the upcoming Disney Villains land, the work is clearly progressing at a steady pace.
Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island with Piston Peak National Park? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
