Daytime Demolition at Magic Kingdom Exposes Frontierland Overhaul to Guests
Guests say the open work breaks Disney’s tradition of hiding construction to protect immersion.
Overview
- Active teardown of Tom Sawyer Island and sections of Rivers of America is visible during park hours behind relatively low fencing, according to eyewitness photos and reports.
- The work is part of the planned Piston Peak National Park expansion inspired by the Cars franchise, described as one of Magic Kingdom’s largest projects.
- Coverage notes a departure from past practices that relied on tall themed walls or overnight work to keep construction out of sight.
- Reporters and longtime visitors say disrupted sightlines and onstage machinery undercut the park’s storytelling and guest experience.
- Commentators urge fixes such as taller themed barriers, more nighttime work, and better sightline management, while no new mitigation steps or timeline updates have been announced.