Disney has quietly started reshaping some of the park’s most iconic areas. Longtime guests are beginning to notice that the familiar experiences they grew up with are slowly vanishing. From ride closures to full land reimaginings, the “Most Magical Place on Earth” is in the middle of its most significant transformation in decades.
And at the heart of it all? Frontierland. What was once a peaceful tribute to America’s pioneer spirit is being replaced, raising questions about whether Disney still values nostalgia as much as innovation.
Frontierland: Permanent and Temporary Goodbyes
1. Splash Mountain closed in January 2023 and reopened as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on June 28, 2024. The change brought a vibrant, story-driven journey through the bayou and marked the loss of one of the park’s most iconic thrill rides.
2. The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade closed in mid-2024 and was recently converted into McKim’s Mile House, a new Disney Vacation Club lounge that opened in March.
3. Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America closed permanently on July 6, 2025. Gone with them are Harper’s Mill, the Liberty Belle, and the peaceful raft rides that gave guests a break from the crowds. Walls started going up just days later for Piston Peak National Park—a Cars-themed expansion set to take over the land.
4. Big Thunder Mountain is temporarily closed. It shut down for refurbishment in January 2025, and Disney projects the coaster to reopen sometime in 2026.
What’s Next for Frontierland?
In place of quiet rivers and rustic island life, Disney is rolling out Piston Peak National Park, a Cars-themed land borrowing mountain-inspired theming, geysers, waterfalls, and two brand-new attractions: an off‑road rally ride and a family‑friendly exploration area with Ranger HQ. This redevelopment is part of Magic Kingdom’s largest expansion ever.
Disney’s Park-Wide Overhaul
The changes go far beyond Frontierland.
Magic Kingdom is adding Piston Peak, and Villains Land plans are underway.
At Hollywood Studios, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is being rethemed with the Muppets, and a new Monsters, Inc. land—complete with a door vault coaster—is coming to replace Grand Avenue.
Over at Animal Kingdom, Dinoland U.S.A. is being replaced by Tropical Americas, which features rides based on Encanto and Indiana Jones.
These exciting projects show that Disney is leaning hard into franchise-heavy IPs. And that has some fans worried: if beloved lands like Frontierland can be reimagined so drastically, what’s next?
What’s Next to Go?
Carousel of Progress
Still spinning in Tomorrowland, the Carousel of Progress has been a Magic Kingdom staple since 1975. But with its slow pace and dated scenes, some wonder how much longer it’ll last in a park chasing fast-paced thrills and flashy IP. It’s a piece of Walt Disney’s legacy—but in this new era, legacy alone might not be enough.
PeopleMover
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is still gliding above crowds, offering a relaxing look at the land below. It’s one of the few low-key attractions left in the park, and while fans love its charm, it doesn’t scream modern Disney. If updates keep leaning toward big-name franchises, this classic could quietly disappear.
Country Bear Jamboree
Magic Kingdom gave the Country Bears a musical refresh in 2024, but that might not guarantee long-term survival. In a world of constant reinvention, even updated shows aren’t immune to the chopping block.
A New Era—But at What Cost?
Disney is at a turning point. Frontierland, Grand Avenue, and Dinoland are being transformed into Cars, Monsters, and Tropical Americas—exciting but bittersweet. As Villains Land and Muppets take center stage, the parks are chasing the future.
But in doing so, they may be leaving some of their heart behind.
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