Closer Look at Walls Up Around the Construction in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom

A Closer Look at Construction Walls in Magic Kingdom

If you’ve visited Frontierland recently, you’ve likely noticed that the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” is looking a bit more like a “Wildest Construction Zone.”

The landscape of Magic Kingdom is shifting in a historic way. While Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree are settled into their new roles, the western edge of the park is currently a maze of plywood and scrim as Disney prepares for two of its most ambitious projects ever: Piston Peak (the Cars-themed land) and the highly anticipated Villains Land.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently in the midst of a massive, year-long refurbishment. This isn’t just a simple coat of paint; crews have been working on a total track replacement to ensure the coaster remains a staple for decades to come.

• What’s New: When the attraction reopens in Spring 2026, fans can expect “new magic,” including an enhanced Rainbow Caverns scene—a tribute to the classic Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction from Disneyland’s history.
• The Walls: The construction perimeter has recently expanded, pushing further into the Frontierland walkways and completely concealing the Frontierland Railroad Station, which remains closed during this phase.

The most jarring change for long-time fans is the view—or lack thereof—of the Rivers of America. Following their permanent closure in July 2025, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat have officially been cleared from the map.

• Ground Zero for Piston Peak: Aerial views show that the island has been almost entirely leveled and the river basin drained. This area is being graded to make way for the Piston Peak National Park, which will feature two new Cars attractions.
• A New Horizon: Just beyond Big Thunder, the land is being cleared for Villains Land, marking a massive expansion into what was previously backstage territory.

For guests visiting in early 2026, the boardwalk area near the Rivers of America is heavily barricaded. Disney has added themed “advertisements” to the walls—featuring nods to the Country Bears and Pecos Bill—to help blend the plywood into the Frontierland aesthetic.

While the loss of the river view is significant, it’s a front-row seat to the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. As Big Thunder prepares to roar back to life this spring, it will serve as the anchor for a brand-new Frontierland.

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.