More temporary wood structures and concrete have been poured in Frontierland at Walt Disney World. The area is receiving a lot of work with the refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain and the addition of Piston Peak National Park. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Update Several wooden beam structures have popped up since our last update, which … Read more
The newest permit related to the Piston Peak area under construction at Magic Kingdom is for the former Mike Fink Keel Boats dock near The Haunted Mansion. Keel Boat Landing Permit The Keel Boat Landing is next to the entrance of The Haunted Mansion, pictured above. Though the Mike Fink Keel Boats have been closed … Read more
The construction site for Piston Peak and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom is being cleared out to make way for the new themed lands. Site Clearing Recent aerial photos from @bioreconstruct have showcased the site clearing underway for both Piston Peak and the unnamed Villains land at Magic Kingdom. The former Rivers of America has been completely … Read more
Crews continue to move dirt as they prepare for construction of the new Cars area in Magic Kingdom. Not a land on its own, the Cars area will be part of Frontierland, replacing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Rivers of America Construction We saw an excavator working near the former Tom Sawyer Island … Read more
Despite the many expansions at the soon to be Disney Adventure World, several other projects are underway at Disneyland Paris. One such project is the previously announced addition of Marc Davis-inspired scenes along the Rivers of the Far West. Rivers of the Far West By the end of summer 2026, guests will enjoy an enhanced experience at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing, … Read more
It’s been almost six months since the Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom permanently closed. There are now giant dirt piles where the river used to run, which we were able to see from the ground and also from up above on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Rivers of America … Read more
The totem poles that sat on the banks of Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom are now gone as the area is transformed into a Cars expansion. Rivers of America Totem Poles Removed The trio of totem poles were near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They faced the river so were mostly visible to guests on … Read more
The two land masses that were once Tom Sawyer Island are now piles of dirt in the middle of Magic Kingdom. The area is being turned into Piston Peak National Park, a Cars expansion to Frontierland, while a new Villains Land is underway closer to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Magic Kingdom Construction Aerial photographer @bioreconstruct … Read more
Discounted merch spotted across Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando allegedly uses AI art for holiday decor, and the construction walls are down around the new Toy Story Land snack kiosk in Hollywood Studios — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Saturday, November 22, 2025. WDW News Today That’s it for today; we … Read more
Progress is well underway in the former Rivers of America in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. We have some updated photos and a peak at Big Thunder Mountain progress, as well. Former Rivers of America A mountain of dirt can now be seen over the construction walls in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square and Frontierland. This … Read more
Photographer bioreconstruct took to the skies above Walt Disney World this week and shared an aerial view of the resort’s major construction sites. Piston Peak and Villains Land, Magic Kingdom The former site of Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom will become the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park area, while a Disney Villains land is … Read more
An excavator is moving dirt or debris in the former Rivers of America trench at Magic Kingdom. Rivers of America Construction Our WDWNT reporter saw the excavator at work on Monday morning. It appears to be the same excavator we previously saw moving debris closer to Liberty Square. It’s now located behind the construction walls … Read more
One of the last Tom Sawyer Island buildings has been demolished, and crews are moving rubble in the Magic Kingdom construction site. Tom Sawyer Island Demolition Update See our full post on Tom Sawyer Island Water Mill Demolition to read the latest. Tell us your thoughts about Tom Sawyer Island Demolition in the comments and … Read more
Demolition of Rivers of America is quickly progressing, and recent aerial photos show just how much work has been done. Rivers of America Demolition Rivers of America closed in July 2025 as it is the future site of Piston Peak, a Cars-themed land with a new storyline and attractions. The photo above shows where the … Read more
Another Tom Sawyer Island building has been demolished, and crews are moving rubble in the Magic Kingdom construction site. Tom Sawyer Island Demolition Earlier this week, Aunt Polly’s was demolished in the area of Tom Sawyer Island. There’s now a digger vehicle parked in the drained river, moving debris from the island over to the … Read more
It appears one major piece of the former Rivers of America at Disney World is now gone as crews continue to demolish the area that will become the future Piston Peak. Construction Continues The bridge that once crossed the waterway from the main part of Tom Sawyer Island to the Fort Longhorn Island appears to … Read more