Disney's Piston Peak National Park construction has reached another milestone at Magic Kingdom, with a new construction wall now erected near Big Al's historic ticket booth in Frontierland. The latest development signals the continued progress of the ambitious Cars-themed area that's set to transform this section of Walt Disney World's most popular theme park.
What's Happening with Piston Peak Construction at Magic Kingdom?
The newly installed construction barrier runs directly in front of a cordoned-off flowerbed situated across from the Frontier Trading Post. This addition means the Frontierland boardwalk is now almost entirely surrounded by construction walls and screening, though Disney has maintained guest access to this popular walkway area.
Despite the extensive construction activity, Big Al's remains structurally intact for now, alongside nearby themed props and information boards. However, this respite appears temporary, as the historic ticket booth—one of Magic Kingdom's last remaining original structures from the park's 1971 opening—is scheduled for permanent closure and demolition to make way for the Piston Peak development.
Which Magic Kingdom Attractions Will Close for Piston Peak?
The Piston Peak National Park project represents one of the most significant changes to Magic Kingdom's Frontierland in decades. Beyond Big Al's, the beloved Westward Ho food kiosk will also permanently close as part of the redevelopment. These closures mark the end of an era for Walt Disney World veterans who remember these original park elements.
Construction permits filed earlier this year revealed Disney's plans to replace these historic Frontierland kiosks with new facilities that align with the Cars-themed area's aesthetic. The project aims to create an immersive national park setting inspired by Pixar's Cars franchise, complete with new attractions, dining options, and themed experiences.
How Will Frontierland Change During Construction?
Despite the extensive construction work, Disney has committed to maintaining access to the popular boardwalk area throughout the building process. The walkway may undergo refurbishment as part of the overall project, but it's expected to remain as a key pedestrian thoroughfare connecting different areas of the new Piston Peak National Park.
Recent construction activity has included concrete work on retaining walls, with crews removing wooden framing as sections are completed. Near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, construction teams have staged large white pipes, suggesting significant infrastructure work is progressing behind the scenes.
