Aerial photos from @bioreconstruct on X reveal the newest progress on the land set to become Piston Peak National Park. Although we cannot confirm, the new construction hints at a possible ride layout or early foundational work for the off-road attraction coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom
Aerial Piston Peak Photos
The photo above shows an aerial look at the development of the future Piston Peak National Park ride. The newly added concrete forms are at a much lower elevation compared to Big Thunder Mountain above, so this section of the ride could be used for mechanical purposes or to support the actual ride structure above it. While it is most likely too early to speculate what these forms are for, it is possible that the new concrete forms could point to a possible ride layout.
The possible building layout above was revealed in a document, pictured above, filed by Disney with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Piston Peak National Park will take up most of the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island footprint as part of the existing Frontierland. Disney Villains Land will be to the north of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and The Haunted Mansion in an area currently backstage. In this image, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is in the lower left corner, and Big Thunder Mountain is in the upper left.
If we overlay the Florida Department of Environmental Protection image over the most recent photo by @bioreconstruct, above, you can see where this section of forms and rebar is situated in relation to the existing areas (in white) and the new ride facility (outlined in black), and it somewhat follows the ride path outlined in red on the fun map below.
Last year, the classic Disney “fun map” was revealed for the Cars-themed Frontierland expansion coming to Magic Kingdom. The map is a type of idealized art that shows an approximation of the layout and theming, but it shouldn’t be expected to work like a regular navigational map or to present every aspect true-to-life. However, laying out a rough outline of the area where the concrete forms are being installed closely coincides with where the track will be.
In a zoomed-in view of the image above, some rebar placed vertically can be seen, indicating the beginning of a possible wall or vertical concrete support.
Our first look at these foundational elements came with the last aerial update of Piston Peak, in which we speculated that the work could have been the beginning stages of ride construction. From those angles, it was clear that part of this framing moves up and down with the terrain, which makes sense as the attraction has a new type of ride vehicle meant to recreate an off-roading experience. Imagineers took an off-roading research trip to Arizona and then commissioned a dirt track to race on.
In the Cars area is a semi-circle-shaped building and two smaller buildings. This space will also have two attractions. The “off-road” rally race ride will be mostly outdoors, but the semi-circle building is likely part of it.
It is still too soon to tell exactly what this section of forms and rebar will be. Although it seems to be aligning with the planned track layout, it could also be part of the river that will also be in the same area. Stay tuned and check back often, as we continue to closely follow the construction in this area.
What do you think this will be? Let us know on social media.
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