Disney Bulldozes ”it’s a small world” Area, Magic Kingdom Landscape Forever Changed

Crews continue clearing land around the Magic Kingdom as Walt Disney World Resort prepares to construct its first-ever Disney Villains land in the space “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” Walt Disney Imagineers are undertaking the expansion project simultaneously with the addition of Piston Peak National Park, a Cars (2006)-themed area in Frontierland, which will replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.

Disney Villains land

Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed that it would finally build the long-awaited Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” at D23 Expo 2024. At the time, Walt Disney World Resort shared early concept art for the project and promised that it would bring new attractions, entertainment, and dining experiences to the Magic Kingdom inspired by the characters we all love to hate.

Piston Peak National Park

At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort also announced plans to bring two all-new Cars rides to Magic Kingdom Park: a thrilling rally race and a family-friendly attraction. Over the last year, Disney has revealed more about the new national park-inspired area coming to Frontierland, Piston Peak National Park. The mini-land will incorporate natural design with existing landscaping, including some parts of the Rivers of America.

The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently in the summer of 2025 to make way for Piston Peak National Park. In the months since, crews have erected scaffolding and barricades around Frontierland and Liberty Square, drained the former waterway, and bulldozed much of Tom Sawyer Island.

Weeks ago, local authorities approved Walt Disney Imagineering’s plan to install a new, more permanent office complex near the construction site.

Land Clearing Outside the Magic Kingdom

Crews began clearing thousands of trees from the perimeter of Magic Kingdom Park before the Rivers of America, Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island said their goodbyes to Walt Disney World Resort guests. However, much of the early land-clearing was for a temporary office trailer complex and a gravel equipment staging lot. (After much of the construction is complete, though, it could become a backstage area for Disney Villains land.)

Now, Walt Disney World Resort appears to be clearing land for the actual footprint of the Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom Park. An aerial photo from X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct shows that hundreds, if not thousands, of trees have disappeared from behind “it’s a small world.”

Aerial overview of construction in Magic Kingdom.

Tree clearing in progress behind Small World, at top left, Part of Villains land.

Aerial overview of construction in Magic Kingdom.

Tree clearing in progress behind Small World, at top left, Part of Villains land. pic.twitter.com/pLKwuGDN5e

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2025

The photographer also shared aerial images of the Piston Peak National Park site, the former home of Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America:

Aerial photos of site preparation for Piston Peak National Park in Magic Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/xA9OT1XN3o

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2025

When Will the New Magic Kingdom Park Areas Open?

Walt Disney World Resort has described the current construction work as Magic Kingdom Park’s largest expansion yet. Still, Disney hasn’t announced a grand opening date for the Disney Villains land or Piston Peak National Park.

Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for updates on this and other developments at Disney parks around the world!

Are you more excited about the Disney Villains land or Piston Peak National Park? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!