Beyond Big Thunder: Check Out the Massive Land Clearing for Magic Kingdom's Piston Peak and Villains Land

Magic Kingdom’s western side is undergoing a massive construction project as the park transforms the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island into Piston Peak and a new Villains Land. 

What’s Happening:

• On a recent trip to Walt Disney World, Laughing Place stopped by Magic Kingdom to check out the current construction on the Cars-themed Piston Peak. 
• Taking part of the area of the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island attractions, the area surrounding Frontierland and Liberty Square is covered in walls. 
• However, just beyond those walls is massive land clearing as the park begins to transform the area into new experiences. 

• The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island attractions took up a massive plot of land.
• While their closures were highly controversial to Disney Parks fans, the upcoming attractions will provide unique experiences not found anywhere else in the world. 
• The portion in between Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain will host the Cars National Park-themed Piston Peak. 

• The area’s main attraction will feature an off-road adventure inspired by the unique ecology of the United States.
• Beyond that will be the highly anticipated Villains Land. 
• You can see how far back the land clearing goes, making this one of the largest construction projects we’ve seen at the resort in a long time. 

• While not much information regarding the area’s attractions has been revealed, fans can expect to be able to interact with some of Disney’s most nefarious icons when the area debuts. 
• Piston Peak is expected to open before Villains Land, with both projects being several years away. 
• Personally, I’ll be excited to see construction from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad when it reopens from its over year-long refurbishment this spring. 
• The attraction hugged the former Rivers of America, making it a prime place to see the massive construction project take place. 
• Adjacent to the attraction, an interesting looking wooden structure has begun to rise. While close to the attraction, it looks rather flimsy and is potentially just for the construction team. 

• For those looking to take a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Laughing Place recommends Mouse Fan Travel for all your Walt Disney World vacation needs. 

Read More Walt Disney World:

• TRON Identity Program and D-Tech Customization Reach the End of the Line at Magic Kingdom 
• New Scented Candle Brings the Enchanted Tiki Room Into Your Own Home 
• X Marks the Spot: New The Beak and Barrel Items Arrive at Magic Kingdom