Credit: Inside the MagicThe next victim of the ongoing Frontierland overhaul at Magic Kingdom Park is expected to close any day now, according to construction filings from Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s what Central Florida Disney Park guests need to know.
Frontierland Overhaul at Magic Kingdom Park
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering revealed that it planned to add a Cars (2006)-themed area to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park. The new area, called Piston Peak National Park, is inspired by the natural landscapes of national parks throughout the United States. Disney has specifically said that it will include two new rides that differ from those in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, including a rally race thrill ride and a family-friendly attraction.
Last July, Walt Disney World Resort said goodbye to Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat. The former island was bulldozed, and the original Magic Kingdom Park waterway was drained, making way for the new Pixar franchise-themed landscape.
As Imagineers develop Piston Peak National Park and the separate Disney Villains land expansion “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square have undergone some changes to make way for the incoming areas. Imagineers are currently expanding the facade of the Haunted Mansion, and the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness recently reopened from a refurbishment that took over a year and included an entire track replacement and several brand-new scenes. Meanwhile, the Walt Disney World Railroad is operating in shuttle mode between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A., not stopping at Frontierland Station.
Earlier this month, the Big Al’s merchandise kiosk permanently closed in Frontierland after planning documents indicated it would be demolished for the Piston Peak National Park expansion. Demolition began soon after the construction walls were erected around the kiosk.
Still, one more location was listed in those planning documents: the Westward Ho Quick-Service dining location. That kiosk is still serving Magic Kingdom Park guests, but all reports indicate that its days are numbered.
The Next Closure on the Docket
Walt Disney World Resort’s website doesn’t list any operating hours for the Westward Ho kiosk beyond June 22, 2026. When the same thing happened to Big Al’s, construction walls surrounded the kiosk on the first day that no operating hours were posted for the merchandise location.
Westward Ho serves many of the same theme park favorites available around the Central Florida Disney parks, like frozen lemonade, potato chips, and Coca-Cola beverages. One of its most popular exclusive items, the Candied Bacon Skewer, has already been moved to Golden Oak Outpost, another Quick-Service dining location in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t publicly acknowledged the likely imminent closure of the Westward Ho snack kiosk. Follow Inside the Magic for updates on this and other developments at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
Has Walt Disney World Resort made any mistakes in the overhaul of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Inside the Magic would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
