Construction Walls Expand and Water Level Drops at Rivers of America as Magic Kingdom Preps for Cars Addition

29 days ago in "Cars Land Magic Kingdom"

Frontierland Construction Walls - July 14, 2025
Posted: Monday July 14, 2025 10:55am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Construction activity is ramping up in Frontierland as Disney continues site preparations for the upcoming Cars-themed land and Piston Peak National Park at Magic Kingdom. Following the permanent closures of Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, more construction walls have gone up.

New Construction Walls Installed Around Rivers of America

A new set of construction walls now surrounds much of the Rivers of America, extending the work zone across large portions of Frontierland and Liberty Square. The latest wall placements are located along the Haunted Mansion queue, stretching past the former Liberty Square Riverboat dock, and continue along the riverside path into Frontierland.






The central area of Frontierland, near the breezeway, remains free of construction walls for now. But the walls pick up again near the former Tom Sawyer Island dock, and along the bridge that connects to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.




Work Advances on Tom Sawyer Island

On Tom Sawyer Island, Walt Disney Imagineering crews are actively cataloging and removing props. Items are being marked with tags to preserve or destroy.


River Drainage Underway

In the Rivers of America itself, Disney has begun the process of lowering the water level as part of the early stages of draining the river. 


The activity is all part of the early phases of Magic Kingdom’s largest-ever expansion, which will include an off-road rally attraction set in Piston Peak National Park,  a new Cars-themed land, and a future Disney Villains Land.

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    Casper Gutman9 hours ago

    Dollywood also offers a much more relaxed, enjoyable experience than Disney most of the time. It lacks Disney’s web of reservations and upcharges all at a more reasonable price. The guest experience has not been Disney’s primary concern for over a decade now. And Dollywood has much better shows.

    Casper Gutman9 hours ago

    Busch Gardens Williamsburg has declined more precipitously then WDW over the last several years. It’s beautifully set and has remnants of better days but it isn’t in Dollywoods ballpark.

    Touchdown1 day ago

    Dollywood also benefits from being right next to a fantastic National Park so you can easily spend a whole week in the area if you wanted to (I do a long trip every Spring.). Thanks to Collonial Williamsburg, the historic triangle and Water Country I can say the same thing about Williamsburg (that’s a yearly trip in July/August.)

    ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ1 day ago

    Service. It might not be tops in theming or show (though both are good) but their CS and professionalism is above Disney at this point.

    Ripken101 day ago

    Funny I guess I should have read your comment first. You hit it right

    Ripken101 day ago

    It was fun to visit if your in area, but I can’t see how anybody can compare the two. We remember tidbits now from trip but my kids have never brought up that trip (although my kids are perfect age for Disney still). I know a number of people that have done, and they all seem to give same response. It’s neat but nothing more than that. I don’t know any repeat visitors Busch gardens Williamsburg is better imo, but still not in same category as Disney. Theming is up to par (best zoo to come Closest to theming with animal kingdom but still not ther me is Omaha zoo. We have been to over 30 zoos in last 7 years. San Diego and Cheyenne mountain zoo probably next best - San Diego for sheer size but Cheyenne is remarkable) So yeah, in my small sample size I don’t see how one can compare. That survey would lose credit with me for sure

    Touchdown1 day ago

    I would say they’re roughly equal, at least BGW, SWSA, and SWO (the latter two only when it’s Summer Nights or Christmas) but United is falling and Herschunds is rising.

    TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

    I’d definitely say Herschend parks are better than Busch right now. I’m surprised they haven’t built a few sally rides in between the big coaster years.

    AidenRodriguez7311 day ago

    Yeah I agree with your interpretation. It was good but like… the #1?? Definitely not for me. It was a very nice park just not at Disney/Universal/Busch Garden level

    John park hopper1 day ago

    I like MK back in the 70s and 80's. My pinion only I like Dollywood better now

    Disstevefan11 day ago

    The "broken areas that were about to flood the utilidors" is a beautiful spin to justify the destruction of RoA. They said that about MKs 20K leagues under the sea when they destroyed and replaced that. I have no idea if either is true, but if true, then of course they caught both just in time I suppose.

    TheMaxRebo1 day ago

    Visited a couple of years ago - right before Big Bear opened. Thought it was ... Fine. Definitely nothing close to a Disney park. I would put Busch Gardens Williamsburg over it as well Definitely some really good coasters, some areas had nice theming - others not so much. Definitely lacking in "everybody"/dark rides

    ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ1 day ago

    Dollywood won America's favorite themepark for 2025 according to National Amusement Park Historical Association and landed the top spot for TripAdvisor. It really is a nice park. Everyone should visit at least once. Besting Disney in many categories. Definitely my favorite!

    Dreamer191 day ago

    I don’t know if anyone in this thread has been to Dollywood, but that place has really stepped up their game in the last few years and there was talk that they may be adding a river similar to ROA. Too bad they can’t transport the Liberty Belle up there…

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