Magic Kingdom Now Surrounded by Construction Walls, Park Area Demolition Begins

The Magic Kingdom is undergoing a widespread transformation, with temporary construction barriers surrounding several structures in four of the iconic theme park’s lands. Here’s what Walt Disney World Resort guests need to know.

Construction Walls in Tomorrowland

Last summer, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin welcomed its final Magic Kingdom Park guests ahead of a major overhaul. Walt Disney Imagineers previously promised to modernize the interactive Disney Park attraction, installing improved laser blaster guns, updated ride vehicles, and more interactive targets.

The refreshed version of the ride will also feature reimagined and brand-new scenes, as well as a new animatronic robot named Buddy who will teach guests how to use their laser blasters.

Most of the work has been internal so far. A few weeks ago, though, Walt Disney World Resort filed a permit to install signage on the Tomorrowland attraction, suggesting that crews would eventually replace the years-old entrance sign. Now, according to BlogMickey, construction walls surround Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, suggesting that Disney is finally making those external changes.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is scheduled to reopen sometime in the spring of 2026. It’s unclear whether the construction walls around the Tomorrowland attraction will remain in place until it reopens.

Barriers in Fantasyland

Construction walls now surround Pete’s Silly Sideshow in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, according to WDWNT. Walt Disney World Resort had previously announced a refurbishment of the circus tent, which houses the park’s primary Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck meet-and-greets. The much-needed maintenance comes after several Disney Park guests noticed that sections of the tent were torn and damaged.

Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an end date for the Pete’s Silly Sideshow refurbishment. During the closure, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Donald Duck are meeting guests outside in the Storybook Circus area.

Ongoing Work in Frontierland/Liberty Square

The largest block of construction walls at the Magic Kingdom runs from the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland. Walt Disney Imagineers are simultaneously working on three separate projects in the area: Piston Peak National Park, Disney Villains land, and the year-long refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Piston Peak National Park is the national park-themed Cars (2006) area coming to Frontierland. The Liberty Square Riverboat, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island closed permanently last summer to make way for the new section of Frontierland, which will include two attractions: a thrilling rally race and a family-friendly ride.

Scaffolding and towering construction walls surround the former Rivers of America, which has been drained, and conceal the now-flattened Tom Sawyer Island from Magic Kingdom Park guests.

Aerial photos of the development of Villains land. Part of the site is former Rivers of America.

Aerial photos of the development of Villains land. Part of the site is former Rivers of America. pic.twitter.com/GTGKi6OhYA

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) November 30, 2025

Disney Villains land is taking shape “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” The new land is taking shape in a previously undeveloped area outside Magic Kingdom Park, but sharing equipment staging sites and other construction infrastructure with the development of Piston Peak National Park.

Finally, crews are wrapping up the year-long refurbishment of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster. The updated attraction will debut a reimagined Rainbow Caverns scene, a complete track replacement, new ride vehicles, audio-animatronics, and refreshed set elements, including the queue area.

According to Laughing Place, crews recently extended the construction walls that already surround the ride to cover even more of its entrance. These barriers connect to those associated with the Piston Peak National Park project.

Walt Disney World Resort has not announced grand opening dates for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land at the Magic Kingdom. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to reopen in spring 2026.

Which construction project at Magic Kingdom Park are you most excited about? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!