A new construction permit just dropped for Magic Kingdom, and for fans who have been watching this corner of the park transform over the past year, it confirms that Piston Peak National Park is moving deeper into the former Tom Sawyer Island territory than ever before.
Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement on July 1 for general construction at 4975C Caribbean Way, the former address of Aunt Polly's, the beloved seasonal quick-service spot that sat on Tom Sawyer Island until it closed for good in July 2025. The contractor named in the permit is Phillips, a company whose expertise lies in civil and power infrastructure rather than themed construction, suggesting that this phase of work is tied to Piston Peak's planned river and water features rather than a major new building.
What Used to Stand There
For anyone who never made it to Aunt Polly's before the island closed, it was one of those quiet Magic Kingdom experiences that felt entirely removed from the rest of the park. Getting there required boarding a raft to cross the Rivers of America, which was half the appeal before a single bite of food had been ordered. Once on the island, Aunt Polly's operated as a small seasonal quick-service window with open-air covered patio seating overlooking the river, offering views of the Liberty Belle steamboat as it passed by.
The menu leaned into simple comfort food, including pulled pork sliders, pretzel sticks, and a root beer float that had become something of a signature for repeat visitors. It only opened during the busiest stretches of the year, which made finding it open feel like a small victory for guests who happened to visit during those windows.
Aunt Polly's closed permanently on July 7, 2025, when Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat all ceased operations ahead of the Piston Peak construction push. The building was subsequently demolished as part of the broader site clearing for the new land.
What Piston Peak Actually Looks Like
Piston Peak National Park is the Cars-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, and Disney has not been shy about the scale of what is being built. The company has described it as part of the largest expansion in the park's history, a claim that puts this project in a different category from most recent additions to the resort.
The land is set in a fictional wilderness environment inspired by the Rocky Mountain region and the American frontier, using a style of architecture called Parkitecture to blend the new structures naturally into the surrounding landscape. Planned features include towering trees, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, roaring rivers, and geysers, all designed to feel like a seamless extension of the storytelling that already runs through Liberty Square and Frontierland.
Two attractions are coming. One is an off-road rally race ride, and the other is a family-friendly attraction. A new original character, Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, inspired by the classic Disney cartoon character Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore, will anchor the land's storytelling alongside familiar Cars universe characters.
The Bigger Transformation Happening Around Magic Kingdom
Piston Peak is one piece of a much larger overhaul currently underway at Magic Kingdom. On the other side of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney is simultaneously building a Villains-themed land featuring two major attractions, dining, and shopping, all described as operating on an impressively twisted grand scale.
For guests who remember crossing the Rivers of America on a raft to spend an afternoon on Tom Sawyer Island, watching all of this unfold in real time is a lot to process. But based on the scope of what is being built, Magic Kingdom is heading toward a version of itself that will look significantly different from anything guests have experienced in the park's more than five decades of history.
