Magic Kingdom Park is changing before our eyes. Guests exploring the western edge of the park may not see the whole picture from ground level, but aerial photos and construction reports reveal just how much of Frontierland has already been torn apart. As Disney Parks fans mourn the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, part of the Walt Disney World Railroad is the latest casualty.
Disney is moving forward with its plans for Piston Peak National Park, a Cars (2006)-themed addition to Frontierland. To make room, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed in July, and demolition work has accelerated ever since. Piston Peak will eventually offer two attractions and a breathtaking environment inspired by U.S. national parks.
Since the Rivers of America was drained, work has escalated on multiple fronts. Crews pulled props from Tom Sawyer Island, some destined for storage and others likely destroyed. Track from the Liberty Belle has also been pulled up from the drained riverbed. Around the same time, large areas just outside the park were stripped of trees to make way for staging grounds, trailers, and prep work for the Disney Villains land planned “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
Scaffolding along the old riverwalk indicates that tall construction walls will soon block guest views of the demolition. However, much of the progress is being documented from above. On Sunday, aerial photographer @bioreconstruct shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) showing the extent of the demolition.
According to the user, demolition crews have removed sections of the Walt Disney World Railroad tracks that once circled the park near Frontierland. The railroad now runs in “shuttle” mode, operating only between Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland while work continues near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
In this aerial photo: 1 Magic Kingdom steam train tracks removed. Possibly will be a re-routing around the Villains land. 2 Service bridge lowered for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad trains. The access between the attraction and the service building.
In this aerial photo:
1 Magic Kingdom steam train tracks removed. Possibly will be a re-routing around the Villains land.
2 Service bridge lowered for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad trains. The access between the attraction and the service building. pic.twitter.com/8zKBvAPjlp— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Another image showed the drained riverbed with a demolition company’s truck:
Aerial photo of the demolition of Rivers of America. This area to become a Piston Peak attraction. A Northstar truck is parked in the riverbed, out of view of guests. Northstar is a company that does demolition.
Aerial photo of the demolition of Rivers of America. This area to become a Piston Peak attraction.
A Northstar truck is parked in the riverbed, out of view of guests. Northstar is a company that does demolition. pic.twitter.com/2ql6U5fpZf
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
A third image gave a wide look at the area now being prepared for the Piston Peak attractions:
Aerial photo of what will become a Piston Peak attraction. Former Rivers of America. The waterfront is currently lined partly with fence, and partly open to view. Open areas have scaffolding that will soon support fencing.
Aerial photo of what will become a Piston Peak attraction. Former Rivers of America.
The waterfront is currently lined partly with fence, and partly open to view. Open areas have scaffolding that will soon support fencing. pic.twitter.com/mtqfrkEF9J— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an opening date for Piston Peak National Park or the neighboring Disney Villains land at the Magic Kingdom. However, the Walt Disney World Railroad is expected to return to full operation when both areas debut.
Stay tuned to Disney Fanatic for continuing updates on this historic transformation of Magic Kingdom Park.
Have you noticed any changes in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Share your story with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
