1
Credit: Jamie S., Inside the MagicA lot has changed in Walt Disney World, especially at the Magic Kingdom.
Related: Disney Erases More of Original Theme Park Following Permanent Closure
Magic is in the air at Walt Disney World, though so is dust and dirt. Work is moving long on several large-scale construction projects at “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” with Magic Kingdom being at the center of it all.
The decades-old Florida theme park is set to undergo its largest transformation yet over the coming years, with new rides, attractions, and experiences planned.
One of the newest additions to the park is The Beak and Barrel, a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar and lounge. This new location can be found in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland and has quickly become a big hit.
Related: Disney Star Confirms Disappointing News About ‘Frozen 3’
The opening of The Beak and Barrel signals the dawn of a new era for Magic Kingdom, one filled with uncertainty and intrigue. However, both hardcore fans and newcomers alike are loving it.
The bar has been receiving rave reviews, with guests praising The Beak and Barrel’s attention to detail and actual menu items.
The Beak and Barrel was so cool! Glad I was able to get a last minute reservation!
The Beak and Barrel was so cool! Glad I was able to get a last minute reservation! 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/ioMG8jCFRf
— Jake-o’-Lantern 🎃 (@jakefozio) September 1, 2025
The Beak and Barrel is fantastic. Cannot say enough positive things about the theming. I’ll post about what I ordered later, but spoiler alert, it was good.
The Beak and Barrel is fantastic. Cannot say enough positive things about the theming. I’ll post about what I ordered later, but spoiler alert, it was good. pic.twitter.com/B95kDKdpZh
— BrerTaylor (@BrerTaylor) September 10, 2025
Genuinely in awe of what they made here. Beak and Barrel is WDI at their absolute best. I couldn’t have DREAMED of a better pirate tavern than this
Genuinely in awe of what they made here. Beak and Barrel is WDI at their absolute best. I couldn’t have DREAMED of a better pirate tavern than this pic.twitter.com/FFoniAvoZH
— Jungle Jim! (@howwestuit) September 5, 2025
The Beak and Barrel officially opened on August 29, 2025, marking an exciting new chapter for Magic Kingdom. The bar is a first-of-its-kind for the park, though highly themed bars can be found at Disney’s other Florida theme parks. The most notable example is Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This Star Wars-themed bar is both an attraction and a nice place to grab a drink, inviting guests to live out their own Star Wars storyline.
The same can be said for The Beak and Barrel, only the lightsabers and droids have been swapped for pirates and buried treasure. Both bars feature a 45-minute time limit, something put in place to help keep crowds low while demand runs high.
Advanced reservations are required to enter both locations, though this could change soon. Earlier this year, Disneyland announced it would drop the reservation requirement from its version of Oga’s Cantina.
The Beak and Barrel is just one small piece of a very large puzzle. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, one of Magic Kingdom’s flagship attractions, closed for a lengthy refurbishment in January.
The Wild West roller coaster will get some hefty upgrades during its closure, including a total track replacement and enhancements to key scenes. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to reopen sometime in 2026.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, another Magic Kingdom staple, closed earlier this summer for a lengthy renovation. Alongside upgrades to the actual ride vehicles, the Toy Story-themed arcade-style attraction will boast a new character and scene when it reopens next year.
While these closures are temporary, Magic Kingdom has faced more permanent changes, too. In July, fans said their last goodbyes to Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America.
This was a very divisive decision, one that Disney announced during its August 2024 D23 conference.
Related: The Great Divide: Why Disney Adults Can’t Agree on What the Parks Should Be
Fans were excited to hear that a new expansion would be coming to the Magic Kingdom, but the thought of losing such an iconic part of not only the park itself but Walt Disney World as a whole came as a big blow.
This section of the park will be turned into something new called Piston Peak, a hub inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise.
Piston Peak will feature its own assortment of attractions, serving as a “mini land” inside Frontierland. The headlining attraction will be an off-roading adventure, one that will seemingly take notes from Disneyland’s ever-popular Radiator Springs Racers.
Have you been to The Beak and Barrel yet? What is your favorite Magic Kingdom experience?