With the closure of the Frontierland station and the Walt Disney World Railroad operating in shuttle mode, we decided to take a last look at the full loop around Magic Kingdom prior to the extended construction.
Walt Disney World Railroad Full Loop
We began our journey at the Main Street, U.S.A. station. From here, the train traveled to Adventureland and Frontierland, then through Fantasyland, before stopping at Storybook Circus. It then went through Tomorrowland back to the Main Street station.
When the train departed from Main Street station, guests could see the roof of the Monorail station on the left side. Now that the train has gone into shuttle mode, this half of the track leading to Frontierland will not be used.
As the train journeyed into Adventureland and Frontierland, the plants on the right side became more tropical in nature.
This backstage road had some theming to make it look like part of Adventureland, though it was not actually seen by guests inside the park. Cast Members added a hidden Mickey made of rocks to the top of this storage crate.
Zooming in a little closer, the signpost across the road had the names of international locations such as Serenghetti, Angkor, Karnak, and Rio Bio Bio.
Next to the road was a toll-booth-style building called “Outpost 792 Desperation.”
The next section was blocked by some green scrims draped over walls, which framed the train on either side.
Following a small section of forest, the train went into a tunnel that led across the back of Adventureland.
The roofs of a few Adventureland buildings were visible between the trees,
At this point, the train passed another backstage road. This one was covered with red pavement and some wood stanchions. This is near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and leads to the parade gate.
At this point, guests had officially transitioned into Frontierland.
They passed through the rockwork of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. A window looked into the ride’s finale scene and riders could hear the original song, “Special Spice.”
After the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure tunnel, the train arrived at the Frontierland railroad station.
From the railing on this upper-story station, guests could look down into the queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Guests on the train also got an excellent view of the New Orleans-inspired mural on the side of the queue building.
Frontierland Station was last refurbished in 2024, around the same time as the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The Walt Disney World Railroad passed over a maintenance track for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. There was a wooden gate featuring the “BTM” logo. Nearby was a “Danger Railroad Crossing” sign.
During one of our final rides, a Cast Member waved from next to a backstage door.
The trains passed a wooden fence featuring a “Reward!” sign before getting a full view of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The coaster closed in January for a major refurbishment and won’t reopen until 2026. We won’t be able to check on construction as closely with this part of the Walt Disney World Railroad and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed.
On the other side of the track from the coaster was a covered wagon full of crates and barrels.
Next to that was a platform with similar props.
The trains then passed over a bridge crossing the Rivers of America. They could turn to get a last look at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
We saw a non-themed maintenance boat on the shore during one of our last journeys.
Walt Disney World Railroad guests could see some of the Rivers of America scenes. This house on a pier had an “Alligator Swamp” sign and a figure in a rocking chair.
Most of these scenes are expected to be torn down to make way for the “Cars” Frontierland expansion and the new Disney Villains land.
The first Native American village consisted of domed structures and various outdoor props. There was a group of wooden poles in the center of the village around patches of grass.
The props included cooking supplies, textiles, and campfires.
In the woods were some deer figures.
The next Native American village consisted of tents. It was on both sides of the track. The right side was also visible from the Liberty Square Riverboat. Various figures seemed to be going about their everyday lives.
A trio of Native American women were gathered around a campfire. Another woman appeared to be churning butter.
Up a slight hill was a man washing his hair in a waterfall. A horse and dog stood nearby.
There were dirt and rock pathways in this area for Cast Members to access the various scenes for maintenance.
A group of fake snakes were gathered on these rocks, guarding a ribcage. Because there were fewer views of the park on this stretch of the Walt Disney World Railroad, a short audio scene featuring Peter Pan and Wendy played around at this time. Sound effects made it seem like the pair landed atop the train cars.
As Peter and Wendy spoke, the train passed a pair of alligators facing off against a frog on a stump.
In the distance, a “go-away-green” show building is visible through foliage and trees.
Before arriving at Storybook Circus, the trains passed under a concrete bridge. This is Center Drive, a backstage road.
Past the bridge was an off-shoot of railroad tracks leading to a maintenance area.
Trains then arrived at the Storybook Circus station. The rest of the railroad ride will be available in shuttle mode.
Watch a complete loop POV video of the Walt Disney World Railroad below:
Walt Disney World Railroad Shuttle Mode
As announced by Disney, the Frontierland station for the Walt Disney World Railroad is closed as of July 7. The closure is temporary, as the train tracks that cross Frontierland are in the path of the upcoming “Cars” expansion to Frontierland, and later the new Villains land. Disney has not announced a reopening timeframe for the Frontierland station, but it is not expected to return until the Villains construction is complete, so it could easily take over a year.
Unlike when the railroad completely stopped operating during the construction of TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland, the Walt Disney World Railroad will continue to run in shuttle mode. Instead of completing a full loop, the train will go back and forth between Fantasyland (Storybook Circus) and Main Street, U.S.A.
Some of the benches on the trains have been reversed, so guests wanting to ride will be able to face forward in either direction. Unfortunately, this means all of the details near the track by Frontierland will not be visible.
One important note is that at the moment, the only train set up with the reversed seats is the Walter E. Disney. The current plan is for the other vehicles to be outfitted with the reversed seats as well, but for the first few weeks, it will only be the single train.
July 6 was also the last day of operation for the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat. Unlike the railroad, these three attractions will all be closed permanently to make way for the expansion.
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