Frontierland Overhaul: Disney Files Frontier Trading Post Construction Permit

Jun 20, 2024 in "Frontier Trading Post"

Gallery / 6 Photos
Frontier Trading Post - June 2024

Posted: Thursday June 20, 2024 8:03am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A new construction permit has been filed for The Frontier Trading Post in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Frontier Trading Post - June 2024

The permit is notable in that it is assigned to MLC Theming Inc., a Disney partner who has previously worked on numerous projects around Walt Disney World. MLC Theming specializes in rockwork, facades, and scenic painting. The permit carries a June 30, 2025 expiration date, slightly longer than the default 12 months. (Thanks to danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums for identifying the permit)

Frontier Trading Post - June 2024

The Frontier Trading Post currently sells a variety of souvenirs, including collectible pins, phone cases, magnets, and snacks. There is no word yet on whether the store will close during the work.

Frontier Trading Post - June 2024

While we don't know what work is being done at The Frontier Trading Post, this permit comes amid several changes to Frontierland. The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade is to be converted into a Disney Vacation Club lounge, Grizzly Hall will soon debut a new version of Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and speculation continues to surround the future of Pecos Bill Cafe, which has long been rumored to take on a Princess and the Frog overlay following the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Frontier Trading Post - June 2024

Disney furthered speculation about Frontierland when it recently said in a post on its official blog, "Hold your horses, we're not done yet. We have a lot of growth and investment planned for our theme parks in the coming years and look forward to sharing more announcements about Frontierland … so y'all come back now, ya hear?"

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SilentWindODoomNov 03, 2024

Not usually one for necromancy, but with a new job coupled with a rather intense family medical emergency I dropped out of the loop completely at the start of the summer and with so many threads with so many pages I decided to go to the main site's news feed and catch up through there. This project's article mentions how the group working on this has been the company's rockwork/facade/scenic painting people in the past. That's led to a lot of understandable talk that this is just a refresh of the stone facade to the building. But... that last one... "scenic painting" made a thought pop into my mind. Well, that phrase combined with the closure that coincided with this project. In the Shootin' Arcade closure thread, the props were shown sitting on a shelf. I wonder if they may possibly be creating a scenery above the shelves emulating the old arcade with the props going off from time-to-time. It would spruce up a bland location, somewhat please a number of fans, is the kind of thing we've often seen them do in merchandise locations, and would fit the MO of the people working on it.

DHSfanaticJun 22, 2024

Interesting idea although it doesn't square with the rumors for what's being planned for beyond Big Thunder.

ohioguyJun 21, 2024

I'm still of the belief that the current Frontierland will be converted to New Orleans Square with a New Frontierland to be built beyond Big Thunder. Country Bears, which is more southern, will fit the concept; as will the Riverboat and Pecos Bill's once it is updated to Tiana's. It's an easy transition around the corner to POTC. The Mark Twain novels partially take place in or near Louisiana (at least Huck Finn), so the Island isn't a stretch, either.

Royal Purple PigmentJun 21, 2024

Hopefully this is just some maintenance work. I have noticed some of the façade stonework has been in need of repair recently.

UNCgolfJun 21, 2024

They've gone from a roller coaster to just a trading post? Disney's budget cuts strike again.

danlb_2000Jun 20, 2024

... on the other hand they could be doing The Olivia Rodrigo Trading Post.

PurduevianJun 20, 2024

Get out of here with your logic... we need time to widely speculate and be angry

danlb_2000Jun 20, 2024

Since the arcade is right next to the shop, it's possible that this is just a change that is needed to allow for the conversion of the arcade to the lounge.