In a major shift to the landscape at Magic Kingdom, Disney has begun tearing down hundreds of trees in preparation for a large-scale overhaul of Frontierland. This dramatic change is part of the ongoing development to make way for a new area based on the Cars (2006) franchise.
This tree removal is part of Frontierland’s planned transformation, which has already seen significant changes in recent years. At the D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled the vision for two Cars rides to replace the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. Piston Peak National Park, a name inspired by the Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014) movie, will feature the natural beauty of America’s national parks and incorporate elements from the original Frontierland, like barrel bridges and water features. Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will permanently shut down on July 7 to accommodate the Cars-themed area.
The tree removal began earlier this week, with hundreds of trees cut down behind Frontierland to make way for the ongoing construction. The cleared area is reportedly visible from the Walt Disney World Monorail as it passes by the Seven Seas Lagoon. According to reports from WDWNT, construction vehicles, including excavators and piles of logs, have been seen in the area as crews prepare the land for further work. However, this cleared space is not part of the Piston Peak National Park expansion; it is actually being used to store construction equipment.
This transformation is part of a bigger picture for the Magic Kingdom, as Disney also announced plans for a Disney Villains land set to expand beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Though details about the Villains land are still sparse, Disney has confirmed that construction for that project is also underway. It’s not yet clear if the equipment storage area behind Frontierland will be used for this as well.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an official opening date for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land. Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close permanently on July 7, 2025, and the last day for guests to experience both attractions will be July 6, 2025.
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