A new construction permit has surfaced for Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed land taking shape in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
The filing, dated Thursday, October 15, was first reported by WDWMAGIC. It covers the installation of set elements in the future land. Piston Peak is being built on the footprint of the former Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat, a project that ranks among the biggest physical changes Magic Kingdom has seen in its 55 years.
What’s Covered in the Permit
Set-element installation is a notable scope for a land built around its environment. Disney has outlined mountain ranges, thick forests, and other national park touches, and most of that will rely on sculpted rockwork and themed structures.
The paperwork itself is light on specifics. It doesn’t say which elements are going in, gives no update on either attraction, and offers no opening window. What it does show is that the site is moving past the demolition, utility work, and reshaping of the old river and island that defined the last year of construction.
A Look at the Land
Disney’s most detailed preview came at D23 earlier this year, when a model revealed how Piston Peak will sit within Frontierland. The land blends the American wilderness with the Cars universe, with snow-capped peaks, tall trees, waterfalls, rivers, and geysers.
Structures such as a visitor lodge and Ranger HQ will be designed in “Parkitecture,” the rustic look tied to National Park Service buildings. Trees and rugged terrain will double as visual barriers, keeping Piston Peak separated from the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square.
Cars Ridge Run Rally
The marquee ride will take guests on an off-road race through the mountains, passing snowy summits, steep drops, and geyser fields. Ride vehicles will react to the terrain around them. A new character, Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, ties the land’s story together.
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along
The second attraction features Miss Fritter, the demolition derby champion introduced in 2017’s Cars 3. According to Disney, a massive Audio-Animatronics figure about the size of a school bus will host the derby-inspired ride. No opening date has been announced for either attraction.
The End of the River Era
The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the riverboat closed for good on July 7, 2025. The river dated back to Magic Kingdom’s opening day in 1971, and Tom Sawyer Island joined it in 1973. Their closure divided fans. Some were eager for new rides, while others missed some of the park’s calmest spaces.
The Bigger Picture
Piston Peak is one half of what Disney has called the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Villains Land, set beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, will add two major attractions along with dining and shopping. That brings the total to four new rides across the two projects.
Anyone heading to Magic Kingdom this fall will still see construction walls lining Frontierland’s former waterfront, and Disney has not shared a timeline. Even so, set-element work suggests the first recognizable pieces of Piston Peak’s landscape could appear soon, so keep an eye on the site during your next visit.
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