Credit: Michael Gray, FlickrParts of the Magic Kingdom look a little different.
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Magic Kingdom has arguably changed the most of Disney’s four Florida theme parks. From new rides and attractions to updated lands, the experience of visiting Magic Kingdom remains the same as it has always been, but there have been big changes in what the park actually offers.
The park is currently undergoing perhaps its most significant update yet, with Disney taking steps to block views of formerly public areas of the park.
As shown in a new photo from Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude), taken by @TheHorizoneer, walls have been installed inside the queue for Haunted Mansion, blocking views of the ongoing work in the area.
New walls have been installed in Haunted Mansion’s queue before major work begins on the Cars-themed area and Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom!
New walls have been installed in Haunted Mansion’s queue before major work begins on the Cars-themed area and Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom!
📸: @TheHorizoneer pic.twitter.com/2mxykwk6xi
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) December 2, 2025
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This has been done to block views of the ongoing construction in and around Magic Kingdom’s former Rivers of America, which will eventually become a new land called Piston Peak.
Inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise, Pixar Peak marks the start of an exciting and controversial new chapter for the Magic Kingdom. Announced last year during The Walt Disney Company’s D23 event, Piston Peak came as a pretty big surprise. With the success of Disneyland’s Cars-themed land, Radiator Springs, an East Coast version wasn’t entirely unexpected, but where Disney decided to place it was the real surprise.
To make way for Piston Peak, Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America closed permanently. This included Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat, with the middle part of Frontierland now being a large dirt pile.
While Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat were never the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom, there’s no denying just how important they were to the park’s aesthetic and overall vibe. The same can be said for the Rivers of America, which had flown throughout the park since it opened in 1971.
Disney has been patching up holes in the park over the last few weeks, ensuring guests are not able to see what’s going on with the Piston Peak project. Just last week, Disney frosted windows inside Columbia Harbour House, blocking views of the construction.
An official timeline has not yet been announced, but rumors suggest a possible 2027 opening for Piston Peak.
Are you excited about Piston Peak? Do you miss Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America?