Visible Earthworks Signal Start of Piston Peak Build at Magic Kingdom

Overview

• Guests can see a large dirt mound rising above construction walls in Liberty Square and Frontierland as crews and excavators shape foundations for the Piston Peak expansion.
• Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island were permanently closed and cleared earlier this year, leaving the footprint open for the new development.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains in its year-long refurbishment with trains recently testing on replaced track and the attraction listed as closed through at least January 16, 2026.
• A new building permit was filed shortly after the recent Big Thunder tests, though Disney has not detailed what the permit covers.
• Disney previously announced at D23 that a Villains-themed area is also planned for the reclaimed space, but no timeline or specifics have been provided.