If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, you may want to brace yourself, because parts of Magic Kingdom Park look very different these days. Disney has officially begun demolition and land clearing around the park’s perimeter, and the ripple effects are already visible to guests walking through Frontierland. While the projects promise new attractions in the coming years, the work underway today could change what you see on your next vacation.
One of the biggest undertakings is the highly anticipated Disney Villains land. Construction crews have been stationed “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” where thousands of trees have been cleared to make way for the expansion. The work extends beyond just the footprint of the new land; it also includes an area dedicated to a trailer office complex and staging zones for heavy machinery.
The demolition didn’t stop with tree removal. In July, Disney permanently closed the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat. These attractions were long-time fixtures of Frontierland, but their removal clears the way for Piston Peak National Park, a brand-new themed area tied to the Cars (2006) universe. According to Disney, Piston Peak (part of Frontierland) will feature two attractions inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks.
Because the Disney Villains expansion and Piston Peak National Park are side by side, their construction has been closely connected. After draining the Rivers of America, crews tackled silt removal in both areas, redistributing material into the Disney Villains land footprint.
Much of this transformation is best seen from above. Aerial photographer @bioreconstruct has been sharing updates on X (formerly known as Twitter), offering a unique look at how fast the project is moving. One set of photos shows the silt cleared from the Rivers of America being deposited directly into the Villains expansion zone:
Aerial photos of what seems to be silt removal from the former Rivers of America. This section to become Villains land.
Aerial photos of what seems to be silt removal from the former Rivers of America. This section to become Villains land. pic.twitter.com/MNa6sFz905
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Another aerial shot highlights just how close the Disney Villains land will sit to the rest of Frontierland:
Land clearing next to Magic Kingdom. Rivers of America area at top of this aerial photo to be Villains land.
Land clearing next to Magic Kingdom.
Rivers of America area at top of this aerial photo to be Villains land. pic.twitter.com/0VfHIj8tZT— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
And a final wide-angle photo captures the full scope of the work:
Aerial overview of construction staging areas being added West of Magic Kingdom.
Aerial overview of construction staging areas being added West of Magic Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/MKLqEzKUkc
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Walt Disney World Resort has yet to announce official opening dates for the Disney Villains land or Piston Peak National Park. Until then, the demolition continues, reshaping Magic Kingdom Park’s perimeter—and possibly your next Disney Park vacation.
Have you noticed any changes at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
