Five longtime pieces of Frontierland have vanished from Magic Kingdom, ranging from major attractions to dining locations.
These losses represent more than 30% of the classic Frontierland experiences as Disney moves ahead with a major redevelopment.
Piston Peak National Park is rising across a large portion of the area, bringing a Cars-themed expansion to land once home to some of those experiences.
Several remaining Frontierland staples have undergone significant changes, too.
Frontierland Has Evolved for Decades
Frontierland has been part of Magic Kingdom since Walt Disney World opened in 1971.
The land centered on America's westward expansion, but Disney continued adding to it. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1980, followed by Splash Mountain in 1992. Restaurants, shops, entertainment, and smaller experiences also became important parts of the area.
Changes have come much faster recently.
Disney transformed Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure in 2024. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island permanently closed in 2025 as Disney prepared for Piston Peak National Park.
The upcoming Cars-themed expansion will feature mountains, trails, waterfalls, geysers, and two attractions. Construction has already dramatically changed this portion of Magic Kingdom.
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade Closes After Five Decades
One of Frontierland's longest-running experiences disappeared in 2024.
The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade opened alongside Magic Kingdom in 1971. Guests could fire at interactive targets throughout an Old West setting.
Its final day came on June 23, 2024.
Disney later converted the location into McKim's Mile House, a Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge. The building remained, but the shooting experience ended after more than five decades.
Rivers of America Leaves a Major Void
Frontierland's transformation grew significantly in 2025.
Rivers of America had shaped the western side of Magic Kingdom since opening day. The waterway wrapped around Tom Sawyer Island, providing a scenic waterfront along Frontierland and Liberty Square.
Disney permanently closed the area in July 2025.
The company cleared the space for Piston Peak National Park. Removing the river didn't simply eliminate an attraction. It changed the physical landscape that guests had known for generations.
Tom Sawyer Island Disappears Alongside the River
Tom Sawyer Island closed as part of the same transformation.
Guests reached the island by raft before exploring caves, trails, bridges, and other areas. Rather than following a traditional ride experience, visitors could largely choose where they wanted to explore.
Tom Sawyer Island welcomed guests for the final time on July 6, 2025.
Its removal provided Disney with additional space for Piston Peak.
Splash Mountain Makes Way for Tiana
One of Frontierland's most recognizable attractions disappeared earlier.
Splash Mountain opened in 1992 and operated until January 2023. The log flume became one of Magic Kingdom's signature thrill attractions.
Disney retained the ride system but transformed the experience into Tiana's Bayou Adventure, inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009).
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened in 2024 with new characters, music, animatronics, scenery, and storytelling.
The famous drop survived, but Splash Mountain became part of Magic Kingdom history.
Westward Ho Refreshments Joins the List
Frontierland's changes haven't stopped with its larger attractions.
Westward Ho Refreshments permanently closed in June 2026 as construction at Piston Peak continued.
The dining location served grab-and-go items along Frontierland's main walkway. Its closure added another longtime Frontierland location to the growing list of removals.
Disney's redevelopment reaches beyond individual rides. Dining locations, waterways, pathways, and other parts of the land have also been affected.
Frontierland's Remaining Classics Have Changed
Even some attractions that survived look different today.
Disney replaced Country Bear Jamboree with Country Bear Musical Jamboree in 2024. The familiar bears remained, but their new performance introduced country-style versions of Disney songs, including music from Frozen (2013).
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad also underwent an extensive refurbishment. The coaster reopened in May 2026 with refreshed storytelling, new visual effects and details, and Rainbow Caverns.
The Walt Disney World Railroad's Frontierland station also remains unavailable. It has been out of service since 2025 because of construction. Trains currently operate between Main Street, U.S.A., and Fantasyland.
What Happens to Frontierland From Here?
Disney isn't eliminating Frontierland, but it is creating a version that will look considerably different from what longtime visitors remember.
Five familiar experiences have disappeared, surviving attractions have evolved, and Piston Peak will eventually occupy much of the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island area.
New attractions will fill some of that space, giving future guests a different Frontierland experience.
As Disney builds its next chapter, more of the Frontierland generations who grew up visiting it are becoming part of Walt Disney World history.
