A piece of Magic Kingdom history that has stood in Frontierland since the park's opening day is now gone, and the hole it leaves behind is only going to get bigger.
Big Al's Sign Comes Down
As of Wednesday, May 13, the sign above Big Al's merchandise kiosk in Frontierland — including the sculpture of its beloved namesake character — has disappeared from above the construction walls surrounding the site. WDW News Today shared a photo on Facebook of the construction area, capturing a moment after one of Frontierland's most recognizable visual landmarks disappeared from the skyline.
The building's chimney is still standing for now, but its days are numbered. The entire structure is expected to be demolished as part of the ongoing transformation of Frontierland into Piston Peak National Park. Walt Disney World Resort has already scrubbed Big Al's from its official website, the My Disney Experience app, and the paper maps distributed at Magic Kingdom Park.
Demolition at the site began on Tuesday, just days after the kiosk closed permanently following 55 years of operation.
Big Al's has worn several hats over the years at Magic Kingdom Park. When the original Central Florida Disney park opened in October 1971, the structure served as a ticket booth. It cycled through different purposes over the following decades before being converted into a merchandise location in 1989, at which point it was themed to the nearby Country Bear Jamboree and named for the attraction's most lovably off-key performer.
The character it was named after is still very much alive and well inside the updated show. In 2024, the audio-animatronic experience in Frontierland was reimagined and relaunched as Country Bear Musical Jamboree, featuring Big Al and the gang performing country-Western covers of beloved Disney songs.
The Larger Picture in Frontierland
The removal of Big Al's is the latest chapter in what amounts to the most sweeping overhaul Frontierland has ever seen at Magic Kingdom Park. The transformation began in earnest in the summer of 2025, when Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat were permanently shuttered to clear the way for Piston Peak National Park — a Cars (2006)-inspired Pixar-themed area drawing on the visual language of America's national parks.
Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America have already been leveled and drained, with active construction now underway on the new land. The Westward Ho snack kiosk near the former Big Al's footprint is also expected to close as the project expands.
When Piston Peak National Park eventually opens, it will introduce two new attractions unique to Magic Kingdom — a rally race thrill ride and a family-friendly experience centered on an all-new character, Park Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore — setting it apart from the Cars Land already operating at Disney California Adventure Park.
Has construction ever impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Tell Disney Fanatic about your experience in the comments!
Never except when Space Mountain was closed. Yay for getting rid of Frontier Land we avoided that area.
construction per se, no. But it did greatly reduce the available attractions when we visited in April 2026. And further overcrowding on existing rides/attractions. If you count Small world, rode 4 rides. Completely fed up with the $200 per day price tag plus another $40 bucks each for fast pass. Add food and trinkets well over $1000 per fay with two early grade school kids. Stayed offsite.
Completely ruined the country bears with the disney songs. Tired of so much IP especially in the iconic rides. However, nothing hurts as much as losing Tom Sawyer’s Island. It was always a special place for our family and we spent a good chunk of Magic Kingdom time there
Completely ruined the country bears with the disney songs. Tired of so much IP especially in the iconic rides. However, nothing hurts as much as losing Tom Sawyer’s Island. It was always a special place for our family and we spent a good chunk of Magic Kingdom time there
My entire family r Disneyites. Been going since MK opened,, sometimes twice a year. Not happy about redoing splash mountain and thunder mnt. I hear TM had been toned down to a trickle. Sometimes it’s best not to mess with what works. Hate the new fast pass.. what was wrong with the old one. Don’t appreciate Disney getting into politics. I’ll still go and remember how great it was to grow up with the Mickey mouse club, annette, Cheryl, Sharon, Bobby, spin and marty.