Giant Show Buildings Revealed for Magic Kingdom’s New Villains and Cars Lands

The skyline of the Magic Kingdom is about to change forever. For years, Disney fans have whispered about the potential of the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion, a massive project intended to revitalize the western edge of the world’s most popular theme park.

At the most recent D23 events, those dreams were formalized with the announcement of two significant new territories: a rugged, off-road Cars expansion known as Piston Peak and the long-awaited, sinister Villains Land.

Now, thanks to newly filed permits and site plans, the sheer scale of these projects is finally coming into focus. The blueprints reveal massive ride-show buildings, suggesting Disney is building some of the most ambitious E-ticket attractions in the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a deep dive into the latest updates for Piston Peak and Villains Land, and what they mean for the future of the Magic Kingdom.

The Transformation of Frontierland: Farewell to Rivers of America

Before diving into the new buildings, it is essential to understand where this expansion is happening. To make room for the high-octane world of Cars, Disney is fundamentally altering the geography of Frontierland. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island have been decommissioned to provide the necessary acreage for Piston Peak.

While the loss of the river is a significant cultural shift for the park, the newly revealed site plans show why Disney needs so much space. The footprint for the Cars expansion is enormous, stretching far beyond the original banks of the river and into the undeveloped woods that have sat dormant since 1971.

Piston Peak: A High-Octane Adventure in the Wilderness

Unlike the Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure, which focuses on the neon-lit charm of the desert Southwest, the Magic Kingdom’s version of Cars is heading for the mountains. Titled Piston Peak, this area will reflect a rugged, national park-style aesthetic, blending seamlessly with the red rocks of Big Thunder Mountain.

The Massive Rally Race Show Building

The newly revealed permits highlight a gargantuan show building that will house the land’s flagship attraction. This “thrilling off-road rally race” is expected to be a technical marvel. The blueprints suggest a ride path that weaves in and out of a massive structure, making use of the natural elevation changes of the “frontier” terrain.

Analysts looking at the building’s footprint speculate that the ride will feature a hybrid system, combining outdoor high-speed sections with immersive indoor show scenes. The building’s size suggests the indoor portion will be substantial, likely housing state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics and large-scale projection mapping to bring Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and new off-road characters to life.

The Family-Friendly Attraction

Piston Peak isn’t just for thrill-seekers. The plans also reveal a second, smaller show building adjacent to the primary rally race. Disney has confirmed a second family-friendly attraction. While specific details remain under wraps, the footprint suggests a high-capacity ride with a smaller physical profile, potentially a spinning or “flat” ride system similar to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, but themed to the rugged, mountainous environment of Piston Peak.

Villains Land: A Permanent Home for Disney’s Dark Side

If Piston Peak is the “bright and adventurous” side of the expansion, Villains Land is the shadow looming behind the mountain. Located directly behind Big Thunder Mountain, this land will be the first of its kind—a permanent, immersive environment dedicated to the “Happily Never After” crew.

The Scale of the “Wicked” Show Building

The most shocking aspect of the new blueprints is the size of the Villains Land show building. Located at the far north end of the expansion site, this building is massive, rivaling the footprints of some of Disney’s most complex modern attractions, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

The rectangular, complex shape of the building suggests a sprawling, dark-ride experience. Because the building is so large, fans are speculating that it will house a multi-act attraction, perhaps a “greatest hits” of Disney Villains. Imagine floating through Ursula’s lair, narrowly escaping Maleficent’s dragon form, and coming face-to-face with Hades—all within a single, high-tech ride system.

A Land of Atmosphere and Immersion

Beyond the main attraction, the site plans show a central “hub” for Villains Land. This area is expected to feature unique dining, shopping, and character encounter locations. The blueprints show designated spaces for smaller structures surrounding the main show building, which could translate into a “villainous tavern” or a retail space where guests can find merchandise dedicated to their favorite antagonists.

The elevation plans suggest that Disney will use the show buildings themselves as part of the “weenie” or visual draw. Just as the castle serves as the icon for the park, the looming, jagged spires of a Villains fortress (likely hiding the massive show building inside) will create a dramatic new landmark in the Magic Kingdom.

The Logistics of “Beyond Big Thunder”

One of the most impressive feats revealed in these updates is how Disney plans to hide these massive industrial show buildings. At the Magic Kingdom, “the show” is everything. The permits show extensive landscaping plans, including the creation of new “berms”—man-made hills covered in trees—that will act as a visual barrier between the different lands.

From the perspective of a guest in Frontierland, the Cars rally race will look like a natural extension of the western mountains. From Villains Land, the massive ride building will likely be disguised as a dark, crumbling castle or a forbidden mountain range. This “sightline management” ensures that, even though these buildings are nearly the size of airplane hangars, they won’t break the park’s immersive spell.

What Happens Next? The Timeline for Construction

With these “breaking” site plans now in the public record, construction is expected to ramp up significantly in 2026. Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom this year will notice extensive “construction walls” rising around the former Rivers of America.

While Disney has not given a specific opening date, a project of this magnitude—involving the filling of a river and the construction of three significant show buildings—is a multi-year endeavor. Most industry experts look toward 2028 or 2029 as the likely window for the grand opening of Piston Peak and Villains Land.

Why This Expansion Matters

This is the most significant expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom. By adding two distinct lands and at least three new attractions, Disney is significantly increasing the park’s capacity. More importantly, they are addressing the longstanding demand for “villainous” content.

The updates to Piston Peak and Villains Land represent a bold new era for Walt Disney World. As the show buildings begin to rise behind the red rocks of Frontierland, it will be clear that the “magic” is growing in a darker, faster, and more thrilling direction than ever before.