Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the MagicThe Disney Villains land is taking shape outside the current perimeter of Magic Kingdom Park, and we have the latest update on the ongoing construction. Construction crews have spent weeks clearing thousands of trees “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” both for the footprint of the new land and a lot containing a trailer office complex and an equipment staging area.
In addition to the construction of a Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” Walt Disney World Resort is also developing a new area in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom called Piston Peak National Park. In July, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently to make way for this new area, which will contain two Cars (2006)- themed attractions. This new section of Frontierland will be inspired by the natural beauty of national parks across the United States.
Given their proximity, the construction of the Disney Villains land and Piston Peak National Park has been unavoidably intertwined. After draining the Rivers of America, crews have focused on silt removal in both the Piston Peak National Park area and the previously cleared patch earmarked for the Disney Villains land.
As crews continue clearing trees, moving dirt, and preparing the temporary construction offices, X (formerly known as Twitter) user and aerial photographer @bioreconstruct has shared multiple photos of the ongoing work at Magic Kingdom Park. The images below show silt removed from the Rivers of America that was deposited into the footprint of the Disney Villains land:
Aerial photos of what seems to be silt removal from the former Rivers of America. This section to become Villains land.
Aerial photos of what seems to be silt removal from the former Rivers of America. This section to become Villains land. pic.twitter.com/MNa6sFz905
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
The following image shows the site of the Disney Villains land in relation to other parts of Frontierland:
Land clearing next to Magic Kingdom. Rivers of America area at top of this aerial photo to be Villains land.
Land clearing next to Magic Kingdom.
Rivers of America area at top of this aerial photo to be Villains land. pic.twitter.com/0VfHIj8tZT— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Finally, take a look at all of the sites that construction crews have cleared for the development of the Disney Villains land and Piston Peak National Park at the Magic Kingdom:
Aerial overview of construction staging areas being added West of Magic Kingdom.
Aerial overview of construction staging areas being added West of Magic Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/MKLqEzKUkc
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Walt Disney World Resort has yet to share a grand opening date for the Disney Villains land or Piston Peak National Park at the Magic Kingdom. Follow Inside the Magic for updates on this and other Disney Park projects around the world!
Has construction impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Inside the Magic in the comments!