Walt Disney World Resort has cleared a significant stretch of land outside Magic Kingdom Park — this time to make room for a new Walt Disney Imagineering office complex. The development is directly tied to the multiple major expansions currently underway at the original Central Florida Disney park.
The Future of Magic Kingdom
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort announced what it called the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Park. Work is already well underway. In 2025, Disney closed the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for the first phase of that expansion: Piston Peak National Park.
Piston Peak National Park will be a brand-new section of Frontierland inspired by Cars (2006). Unlike Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, this area draws inspiration from the landscapes of America's national parks. It will feature two new attractions — a thrilling rally race ride and a family-friendly experience.
The second major development is taking shape "beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad," where Walt Disney World Resort is finally bringing the long-awaited Disney Villains land to life. After decades of fan speculation, this new area will feature attractions and experiences inspired by the characters guests love to hate.
Construction on both Piston Peak National Park and the Disney Villains land is ongoing. Walt Disney World Resort has not yet announced a grand opening date for either land.
Latest Construction Update
On Wednesday, WDWNT reported that a significant amount of land had been cleared at what Walt Disney World Resort calls the STOLport site, located outside Magic Kingdom Park. The STOLport sits on the former site of the Walt Disney World Airport, which has not been active in several decades.
Last summer, the South Florida Water Management District approved a 12.5-acre expansion — known as "Project K" — in this area for the construction of Walt Disney Imagineering offices. This complex is intended to support the development of both the Disney Villains land and Piston Peak National Park.
Permits indicate that Walt Disney World Resort plans to build two new buildings in the area, along with additional infrastructure including sidewalks, parking areas, and utilities. Two existing retention ponds on the site will also be modified to accommodate the new development.
Alongside the land clearing, construction equipment has arrived at the site, including concrete drainage pipes and culverts. At least three unused structures remaining from the site's previous use have been demolished. Disney has previously used the STOLport area for temporary Imagineering trailers, but the new buildings are described as more permanent.
Walt Disney World Resort has not publicly acknowledged the construction at the STOLport site.