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The road to Radiator Springs is getting a little more… structured. New aerial photos from bioreconstruct reveal that retaining walls are now being installed at Piston Peak National Park, the upcoming Cars-themed expansion racing into Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. This marks a major step forward as Disney continues transforming the former Rivers of America area into a rugged, high-octane landscape fit for Lightning McQueen and friends.
Related: Birds Eye View of the Construction at the NEW Disney Lakeshore Lodge
From above, you can clearly see the retaining wall taking shape near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, with concrete foundations outlining where the structure will extend along the Frontierland boardwalk. It is giving big “terrain transformation in progress” energy, and honestly, it is one of the clearest signs yet of how dramatically this area will change.
These retaining walls are not just for show either. The former Rivers of America basin sits lower than the surrounding Frontierland and Liberty Square areas, meaning Disney needs to quite literally build up the story from the ground. The walls will likely help separate elevation levels and could even help define a new water feature or river element weaving through Piston Peak.
Nearby, a stash of large concrete pipes hints at future infrastructure, possibly tied to water flow or drainage for the area. While some of those materials sit closer to the future Disney Villains land beyond Big Thunder Mountain, all signs point to Piston Peak revving ahead as the first of these expansions to take shape.
When it opens, Piston Peak National Park will bring two attractions to Magic Kingdom, including an off-road rally race ride that sounds like it will kick up more dust than a desert drag race, plus a family-friendly attraction for younger racers. Meanwhile, the neighboring Villains land remains more mysterious than a deal with Hades, with two attractions confirmed but details still under wraps.
Related: Closer Look at the Construction of Disney Lakeshore Lodge
For now, though, all eyes are on Piston Peak as the landscape begins to shift in a big way, and these new retaining walls are laying the groundwork for one of the most ambitious Frontierland transformations we have ever seen.
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