Walt Disney World is moving full steam ahead on the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, and the physical toll on the park's current layout is becoming impossible to ignore. As Imagineering clears the way for the new Cars-inspired Piston Peak National Park, the rustic charm of Frontierland is rapidly being replaced by brown construction barricades.
This week, the transition accelerated as Disney officially blocked access to a major pedestrian walkway, fundamentally changing how guests navigate the western half of the theme park. Here is what you need to know about the latest closures and how to handle the shrinking pathways on your next vacation.
The Boardwalk Shutdown
For decades, the wooden boardwalk hugging the Rivers of America served as a scenic, shaded shortcut. It allowed guests to bypass the often-congested main thoroughfare of Frontierland, providing a peaceful route away from the chaotic parade crowds.
However, as of August 10, 2026, that beloved waterside stroll is largely a thing of the past. While a portion of the boardwalk had already been closed since July, the construction barricades have now significantly expanded. The towering brown walls completely block the stretch of the boardwalk running from the Country Bear Musical Jamboree all the way to the edge of Liberty Square. Guests can no longer use the riverside deck to transition between the two lands easily.
Currently, only a highly restricted sliver of the wooden path remains open to foot traffic. Visitors are only permitted to walk the short section nestled between the Country Bears and the newly opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, directly behind the site where the Westward Ho refreshment kiosk used to stand.
The Fall of Westward Ho
This massive expansion of the construction walls comes immediately on the heels of another major erasure in Frontierland. Just a day prior, on August 9, Walt Disney World crews completed the total demolition of Westward Ho. The popular grab-and-go snack stand, famous for its cold brew and corn dog nuggets, permanently closed its windows in late June. Now, the rustic kiosk has been completely leveled.
Interestingly, Disney preserved the mature shade tree that stood next to the kiosk. With the building entirely eradicated, guests walking along the remaining open section of the boardwalk are treated to an unobstructed view directly over the walls toward the red-rock peaks of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Demolishing structures like Westward Ho serves a highly specific logistical purpose: it clears the real estate necessary to push active construction zones further into guest pathways, widening the footprint to accommodate the heavy machinery needed to build Piston Peak.
Navigating the Frontierland Labyrinth
With the majority of the boardwalk closed and classic kiosks erased, Frontierland currently feels more like an industrial work zone than a sleepy western town.
The loss of the boardwalk “shortcut” means the main paved thoroughfare must now handle nearly all of the area's guest traffic. Between families rushing to their Lightning Lane return times for Tiana's Bayou Adventure, guests queuing for the Country Bears, and the crowds gathering for the Festival of Fantasy parade, the remaining pathway is poised for serious bottlenecks.
If you are visiting Magic Kingdom in the coming months, patience is essential. Guests are highly encouraged to use alternate routes—such as cutting through Adventureland via the breezeway near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin—to bypass the heaviest congestion in Frontierland.
The Future of the Frontier
While the current state of Frontierland might seem daunting, this disruption is paving the way for a massive transformation. The closure of the boardwalk and the leveling of Westward Ho are direct prerequisites for building Piston Peak National Park, which will bring two brand-new Cars attractions to the area.
For purists mourning the loss of the classic walkway, there is a silver lining: official concept art for Piston Peak still features a scenic boardwalk along the water. The current closure is simply a temporary necessity. The sun may have set on the classic riverfront stroll, but a thrilling new frontier is just over the horizon.
