The dusty trails of Frontierland are about to face their most significant transformation since the Magic Kingdom opened its gates in 1971. While the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion has been touted as a massive win for fans, the first physical steps of this project come with a heavy dose of nostalgia and loss.
To clear the path for Piston Peak National Park—the high-octane Cars expansion that will replace a portion of the Rivers of America—Disney has confirmed the permanent closure and removal of two Frontierland staples: Westward Ho Refreshments and Big Al’s.
This isn't just a simple refurbishment or a menu change. These buildings are standing directly in the crosshairs of progress, and their removal marks the beginning of a total aesthetic overhaul of the land.
The Sacrifice of Big Al’s: A Country Bear Icon Falls
Perhaps the most stinging loss in this construction phase is the permanent removal of Big Al’s. Tucked away along the wooden boardwalks near the Liberty Square border, this rustic merchandise shack was more than just a place to buy coonskin caps and plastic tomahawks. It was a tribute to a character that defines the weird, wonderful soul of the Magic Kingdom.
Named after the most famously morose member of the Country Bear Jamboree, Big Al’s was designed to look like a structure cobbled together by the bears themselves. For over half a century, it served as a piece of “environmental storytelling”—a hallmark of Imagineering that prioritized character-driven atmosphere over high-budget spectacle.
As Disney transitions toward a park built around multi-billion-dollar film franchises, the loss of Big Al’s feels like a symbolic departure from the “Old Disney.” Big Al, with his signature off-key growl of “Blood on the Saddle,” is a cult hero. Seeing his outpost demolished to make way for Lightning McQueen is, for many, the ultimate proof that the original texture of Frontierland is being paved over in favor of modern Intellectual Property (IP).
Westward Ho: The End of the Ultimate Frontier Pitstop
Joining Big Al’s on the chopping block is Westward Ho Refreshments. While it lacked the deep character ties of its neighbor, Westward Ho was a logistical cornerstone of the Frontierland experience.
Known for its iconic corn dog nuggets, breakfast sandwiches, and cold brew coffee, this walk-up window was the go-to spot for guests rushing toward Big Thunder Mountain or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Its log-cabin facade was so perfectly integrated into the landscape that most guests probably assumed it was a historic structure.
The closure of Westward Ho creates a significant void in the land’s quick-service dining. However, the latest infrastructure reports suggest that the walkway where Westward Ho and Big Al’s currently sit must be widened into a massive “Gateway” to accommodate the millions of guests expected to surge “Beyond Big Thunder.” In the battle between a snack stand and a major thoroughfare, the thoroughfare always wins.
Clearing the Gateway to Piston Peak National Park
The removal of these buildings is the first visible step in the terraforming of the Magic Kingdom’s northwest corner. Disney’s plan involves filling in a significant portion of the Rivers of America to create stable ground for Piston Peak National Park.
This new land will take guests away from the water and into a rugged, mountainous wilderness inspired by the Cars franchise. The project includes:
- A High-Intensity Off-Road Adventure: A thrill ride that utilizes a sophisticated all-terrain ride system to simulate racing through the mud and over the jagged peaks of a National Park.
- A Family-Friendly Attraction: Ensuring that the youngest racers have a place in the new expansion.
To make this a reality, the entrance to Frontierland has to be reimagined. By removing Westward Ho and Big Al’s, Imagineers are clearing the “bottleneck” that currently exists near the Liberty Belle riverboat dock. This new, wide-open plaza will serve as the transition point between the classic 1800s frontier and the modern, high-speed world of Cars.
Conclusion: The Price of Progress
Walt Disney famously said that the parks would never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. Change is the lifeblood of the Magic Kingdom, and the addition of two massive new lands is an exciting prospect that will increase the park’s capacity and thrill factor.
However, growth always requires sacrifice. As Big Al’s and Westward Ho vanish from the map to make way for the 2028 infrastructure deadline, they take a piece of the park’s 1971 soul with them. We may be gaining a world-class National Park adventure, but we are losing the charming, dusty outposts that made Frontierland feel like a home on the range.
Are you ready for the “Cars” expansion, or is the loss of Frontierland history too much to handle? Let us know in the comments below!
Sorry to see frontier land being demolished. I am not that excited about the new addition.
Disney started going downhill when they replaced the home made goods at majic kingdom bakery with Starbucks. Countless changes made to kiddyize even epcot. Great movie ride. Backlog tour were great. I loved the western themed frontier land. I all for a change in management.
Fast passes should be free.
This just shows the total incompetence of the current Disney management. They’re destroying what’s not just the Disney treasure but a national treasure so they can get a little extra change in their pockets by having another thrill ride occupy the ludicrous number of guests that they’re allowing in the park.
Walt’s Magic Kingdom, patterned after Walt’s Disneyland, was made four principal realms (i.e., Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Liberty Square /frontierland with the last two going together. He always wanted consistency, and building a land after one single movie franchise is complete dissidents from that consistency. In other words. If Waat were alive, this car’s land idea would never had seen the light of day. Villain’s land especially would not have seen the light of day, and it would have been trashed the minute some idiot brought the idea up. Villain’s land is in no way Disney storytelling. Villains are always there simply for a wonderful story to have something to overcome. They were never meant to be celebrated as if you were demon worshiping. Walt Disney would absolutely hate this idea of a Villain’s land.
What they’re doing to the Magic Kingdom is the destruction of a national treasure with candy-coated garbage. I think it shows that these people who are now in charge of Disney are incompetent. They should be removed immediately and the disaster that they’re in the process of making should be halted, new management must be selected and the true magic of Disney should be restored. If that’s not done, then the wonderful magic that Walt Disney left us will be lost forever.
I still do not get the Cars point, at least dedicating an entire section of the park to it. They haven’t made any new ones in nearly a decade and really only the first one was good. One ride would have sufficed. The spinoff were terrible. At least Toy Story is alive and fresh, and not one bad movie on the franchise. Besides all that, Disney has just gotten way too expensive for the middle class households it used to attract. That includes EPCOT where catering to more kids seems counter productive. It was the adult park. We haven’t been to one of the Orlando parks in eight years (Animal Kindom mostly for the Avatar exhibit and ride), and likely will never return to any of them. Costing a family of five nearly $5,000 for a four day vacation and visiting all the parks is not acceptable (and that just covers on-property lodging, food, and passes).
Apparently Disney C.O.O and Executive’s have no care about the memories of long time adult patrons showing their Kids what they grew up on at those Disney parks.
They’re ruining the experience. With all the abandoned land shown by You Tubers who discovered Abandoned Disney places executives don’t want to use that money to make a brand new attraction. For shame.
Absolute disgrace. Glad I went a few years ago before they ruined their parks
Villans land sound cool, but im not to interested in the cars addition. Many changes that they bave made dont take most people into consideration so they are not for the better. I know that there is always going to be complainers, but some of them are valid. On my last trip i heard alot of complaints about the free fast pass being gone, the newer rides not being ones everyone could go on that they excluded disabled people, kids, bigger people and so on, alot about the new rules for the disablity pass, and other changes. The prices go up, but they keep taking things away making it so most people cant even afford to go with out saving up for years or getting a bank loan.
With all these changes happening and the price it now costs to just enjoy everything there has gone beyond my family’s pay scale. we haven’t been in 10 years and I don’t think we will ever go again. have fun Disney because you won’t see any more of my money.
Honestly, I LOVED Radiator Springs in Disney’s California Adventure Park. Hopefully, the Piston Peak ride will be similar to the CARS ride there. Give it a chance!
May I remind everyone that the first year Disneyland was open about three-fourths of the rides/attractions were Intellectual property.
The same thing with WDW during its first year.
I think it is silly to complain about IP when this has always been the case.
This is just awful it’s taking away a part of a lot of adult childhood that is so unfair .
If it weren’t for the Star Wars addition, I’d probably stop going to Disneyland altogether. What was once my favorite place in earth (not that I’ve really been anywhere), is slowly losing its heart. That hurts my heart. I can actually hear Walt Disney rolling over in his grave.
The land is no longer relevant. It was not part of original Disney. To continue to reach a new population, rides must change. If the core values remain, it will always be Disney.
So sorry to hear that I’m losing a part of my childhood..I haven’t been able to go the park in years because of pricing increase..I have always wanted to take my daughter but couldn’t because of my budget..The bears were fun for the kids..you have all that land to build on, put it there..😪😪😪
Disney execs should be tested for drug use. Putting cars, alligators, crocs, the bayou, in the Frontier is a good sign of high drug use. Been a Disney fan for 67 years, I don’t if I am so much anymore. These things were not any old west that I can remember. At least I got my Disney collection to remind me of the ‘TRUE” Disney, not money land that it is these days.
I TOTALLY agree with others – NOT at all happy with demolition of Frontierland, especially not for cars! Disney is removing all signs of Americana and nostalgia from its parks! The river, riverboat and island will greatly be missed!
Not all Disney Parks have to have the same landscape and attractions! That’s part of the charm and draw of the parks. Cars land is a great miss for Disney – they are out of touch with loyal fans!
Magic Kingdom was always my favorite park, but I haven’t been in 2 years, and sadly may not be back after this demolition and the outrageous prices! With all of the closed attractions and construction, the price cannot be justified. Don’t forget the cost of food and merchandise as well!
If not for my family being DVC members (which is also starting to price families out!), we would not be able to stay at Disney resorts, let alone visit the parks!
I can’t justify the cost to visit a park that is being destroyed and losing memories. Unfortunately, the magic is leaving, and so are the loyal fans and guests! Alot of families are priced out with higher prices for less magic, fun, quality and nostalgia! Disney should stick with what works and with who helped the brand be what it is!
Cars does NOT belong in Frontierland. I never fit there. They are ruining the Haunted Mansion area. The Riverboat was one of our favorite.
The loss of Big Al’s is also just a money grab by Disney to hope everyone will race to the new cars area. I won’t as I have no interest in the Cars attraction.
There is a Cars Land at California Adventure and I’m not sure the need to replicate it at Disney World. The ride is Test Track with Lightning McQueen. Let it be in Disneyland and give us something different. There is plenty of IP to pick from. Plenty of other ride ideas, too.
I’m very sad to see the loss of big Al’s. He was always a big draw for me and my children. There’s not a certain age that he was not enjoyed by all not too interested in the new cars park. Can’t afford to go anymore to Disney World even though I grew up with it in Florida and it was part of my life. Gotta do something about that. Walt Disney will not be happy
Sadly, I think my kids will be the last generation of our family to go to Disney. The costs are ridiculous and the memories that connect generations are disappearing. The current management is destroying it from parks to movies.
As Adults we all reminisce over loss of stuff we used to know but I understand the need to change
My biggest issue is people complain about how much Disneyland costs in California but they never talk about the price of universal studios hollywood. 12 rides and another opening soon and thats it! Prices start at $99, if you’re lucky, and go up but for a little bit more, starting $103, and going up you get 49 rides
I know they are both expensive but Disneyland seems like a much better deal price wise more Bang for your buck
I actually LIKE the idea that different parks around the country and around the world could and should have slightly different experiences and different rides! Tokyo Disney Sea has Storm Rider (doesn’t exist anywhere else…), their Haunted Mansion is different, rides in EPCOT don’t exist anywhere else in the world. That makes it fun and exciting to try and visit new Disney parks around the world. Cars Land should just stay in California Resort. Why take away the peaceful area with the riverboat, and Frontierland?? Boo.