Walt Disney World is gearing up for some of the biggest additions Magic Kingdom has seen in years, and that exciting future means saying goodbye to corners of the park guests have known and loved for decades. Nowhere is that more visible right now than in Frontierland, where construction walls keep spreading, familiar spots keep disappearing, and Disney keeps making operational adjustments to keep things running smoothly for guests in the meantime.

Two Major Expansions Are on the Way

The changes sweeping through Frontierland are all in service of two enormous projects: Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land.

Piston Peak National Park will bring the world of Cars (2006) into Magic Kingdom as an expansion of Frontierland. It will transform the former Rivers of America area into a new destination inspired by America's national parks, complete with new attractions and environments built around a wilderness setting. The footprint required for this land means Disney has had to dramatically alter an area that remained largely unchanged for generations.

Villains Land, meanwhile, will rise beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, giving classic Disney villains their very own permanent home at Magic Kingdom.

Both projects represent a major investment in the park's future — but before guests can enjoy those new lands, Disney has a lot of clearing and preparing to do.

Frontierland Has Already Said Some Difficult Goodbyes

The transformation began with some genuinely bittersweet farewells for longtime Magic Kingdom fans. Rivers of America permanently closed in July 2025, ending its decades-long run through Frontierland and Liberty Square. With it went the Liberty Square Riverboat, which had carried guests around the water aboard the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island — a rare attraction that let guests explore at their own pace, wandering caves, bridges, and trails away from the traditional ride experience.

Those closures cleared a substantial amount of land, but they were only the beginning. As the Piston Peak project moves forward, construction is spreading outward from the former river area and reaching deeper into Frontierland.

Construction Walls Now Surround the Westward Ho Area

The latest update affects yet another familiar corner of Frontierland. Westward Ho closed about a month ago, and Disney has now blocked off the location with construction walls as preparations for its eventual demolition continue — a direct result of the space needed for Piston Peak National Park.

The construction footprint extends beyond Westward Ho itself. Walls have also appeared around the nearby area that previously housed popcorn stands. Rather than eliminating those stands entirely, Disney has relocated them so guests can still find their favorite snacks elsewhere in Frontierland.

More changes are expected along the riverwalk. As the Piston Peak project progresses, construction walls are anticipated to push farther into the existing riverwalk area. Disney plans to temporarily create a pedestrian pathway along the promenade to help maintain guest movement and provide space for parade viewing during what could be years of construction. For now, though, guests can still use the boardwalk, as Disney appears to be adjusting available pathways in stages rather than closing the entire area at once.

Where to Find Your Churros and Popcorn Now

Guests craving their Frontierland snack favorites can still find them — they'll just need to know the new locations.

• The churro stand has moved near Frontier Trading Post.
• One popcorn stand is now located near the Disney Vacation Club kiosk.
• A second popcorn stand has relocated near Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.

These moves may seem small compared to the permanent loss of Rivers of America or Tom Sawyer Island, but they're a clear sign of how construction is beginning to affect the everyday flow of Frontierland. Guests who have visited Magic Kingdom for years often know exactly where to find their favorite snacks and shortcuts — and as the Piston Peak construction zone expands, more of those familiar routines will continue to shift. This likely won't be the last relocation.

Frontierland's Transformation Is Just Getting Started

The full picture of what's already changed is striking: Rivers of America, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island are gone. Westward Ho is now behind construction walls and slated for demolition. Snack stands have moved, and the riverwalk faces further changes ahead.

The good news for guests visiting now is that the boardwalk remains accessible and the relocated churro and popcorn stands are still available nearby. But the growing construction walls are a clear reminder of just how extensive this project will become before Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land finally open their gates. Frontierland still has a lengthy transition ahead — and more familiar parts of the land could look very different as Disney continues to build toward Magic Kingdom's exciting future.