Disney Levels Iconic Frontierland Area Ahead of Major Magic Kingdom Overhaul

Magic Kingdom Park guests are seeing some of the most dramatic changes in Frontierland’s history as Disney continues clearing space for multiple expansions. With major construction projects unfolding across the western side of the park, a once-familiar portion of the land has now been completely transformed to prepare for what Walt Disney World Resort is calling one of its biggest expansions yet.

Aerial Footage Shows Major Land Clearing in Frontierland

For months, plywood walls have filled the pathways between Liberty Square and Frontierland, hiding extensive work taking place behind the scenes. While Disney Park guests can only glimpse construction from a distance, a recent aerial video from YouTuber bioreconstruct revealed the extent of the transformation.

The footage shows that the Rivers of America basin has been fully drained and nearly leveled, and Tom Sawyer Island isn’t far behind. Large sections of dirt now replace the waterways and structures that defined Frontierland for more than half a century. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DSNYNewscast wrote:

🚗Piston Peak (Cars) & 😈 Villains Land construction:
• Tom Sawyer Island has been completely levelled.
• Land grading continues on the former Rivers of America basin.
• Laydown Yard beyond train berm has been cleared.
• Railroad tracks completely lifted for easier construction access.

🚗Piston Peak (Cars) & 😈 Villains Land construction:
• Tom Sawyer Island has been completely levelled.
• Land grading continues on the former Rivers of America basin.
• Laydown Yard beyond train berm has been cleared.
• Railroad tracks completely lifted for easier… https://t.co/DfFJ1njRdG

— DSNY Newscast (@DSNYNewscast) December 1, 2025

Piston Peak National Park Joins the Magic Kingdom

The bulk of the land clearing supports Piston Peak National Park, the new Cars (2006) themed area announced during D23 Expo 2024. Inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks, the land will feature two attractions: a rally race thrill ride and a family-friendly experience introducing a new character named Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore.

Unfortunately, building this land required the retirement of the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat. After serving Magic Kingdom Park guests for decades, these iconic offerings welcomed their final visitors in July 2025.

To support the construction, crews removed numerous trees and prepared an equipment staging area on the edge of Magic Kingdom. The land reshaping continued throughout the fall, with bioreconstruct’s aerial footage offering the clearest view yet of how far the project has advanced.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Begins Final Stages of Its Overhaul

Alongside the Cars expansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing a year-long refurbishment that includes a complete track replacement and the addition of a new Rainbow Caverns opening scene. The Frontierland coaster closed on January 6, 2025, and guests have watched as crews repainted the mine cars, repainted set pieces, and installed the new track. Imagineers began visible testing in October, November, and early December, with empty coaster trains moving slowly along the updated rails. This week, Disney announced that the ride will reopen in spring 2026.

Construction walls around the coaster entrance further reduce the available space in Frontierland, which is already cramped from the work on Piston Peak National Park.

Disney Villains Land Rises Behind the Scenes

Also announced at D23 Expo 2024, Imagineers have broken ground on the Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” Described as the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park’s history, the land is expected to feature new attractions, character encounters, dining options, and shopping opportunities. Local authorities recently approved a permit for two onsite offices that Walt Disney Imagineering will use to oversee construction as it intensifies in the coming months.

With so many overlapping developments, the Walt Disney World Railroad is operating only in “shuttle mode” between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A. The Frontierland station will remain closed until additional work is completed.

When Will Magic Kingdom Guests See the Finished Frontierland Overhaul?

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is scheduled to return in spring 2026, but Walt Disney World Resort has not announced opening dates for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land. With land clearing, track removal, and earthmoving shaping so much of Frontierland, the full transformation may take several more years to complete.

Has the Frontierland construction impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!