After 53 Years, Disney Files Permit for Destruction of Original Magic Kingdom

After over five decades, Walt Disney World Resort is officially moving forward with plans to dismantle some of Magic Kingdom Park’s original features. A newly filed permit reveals that construction will begin next month in a backstage area west of Frontierland, marking the beginning of the original theme park land’s largest overhaul to date.

This sweeping transformation follows announcements made at D23 Expo 2024, where Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed that Cars (2006) inspired attractions would take over parts of Frontierland. To make way for the new rides, Disney will bulldoze Tom Sawyer Island and fill in sections of the Rivers of America, altering a landscape that has existed since the park’s opening day in 1971. Also likely to disappear is the Liberty Square Riverboat, which depends on the Rivers of America to operate.

Alongside Cars, Disney has also committed to developing an expansive Disney Villains land located “beyond Big Thunder Mountain.” The project is expected to draw more traffic through Frontierland and significantly extend the footprint of Magic Kingdom Park.

Frontierland has already seen significant changes in the last few years. In 2024 and 2025, Splash Mountain was rethemed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Country Bear Jamboree was reimagined into the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade became a Disney Vacation Club lounge.

This year, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing a complete refurbishment, including track replacement and a bit of “new magic.” The Frontierland attraction closed in January and is expected to reopen in early 2026.

While Walt Disney World Resort is expected to hold off on fully closing Tom Sawyer Island until Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment is complete, work outside the park has already begun. The latest permit filing details plans for a new trailer compound on recently cleared land west of Magic Kingdom Park.

Construction is slated to begin in June 2025 and wrap by May 2026, with a projected cost of approximately $100,000. The filing mentions installing a potable water connection for the temporary compound, which Disney wants to hold up to three trailers.

So far, Walt Disney World Resort has not announced final operating dates for Tom Sawyer Island or the Liberty Square Riverboat, nor has it confirmed when guests can expect the new Cars or Disney Villains lands to open. Stay tuned to Disney Tips for the latest updates on all the ongoing construction around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!

Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to add Cars to Frontierland? Share your opinion with Disney Tips in the comments!