Crews at Magic Kingdom have now effectively completely demolished the Frontierland boardwalk to make way for Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed expansion replacing Tom Sawyer Island and much of the Rivers of America. As of Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, photos from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue show only a few weathered wooden pillars where the walkway stood, plus a short stub of decking near the former Westward Ho kiosk. Concrete retaining walls now trace the winding edge of the future stream, and excavators and loaders work the muddy ground behind the construction walls.

A tower crane at the site, fully assembled by late September, began operating Oct. 1. Because a tower crane lifts structural steel and precast concrete rather than soil, it signals a move from earthwork and utilities toward the show buildings for the land's two attractions, Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along, announced at D23 2026. Disney says it will rebuild the boardwalk along a narrower, winding stream as part of Piston Peak, but has not announced an opening date.

Editorial lens: Magic Kingdom's Piston Peak National Park is shifting from digging and retaining walls to vertical construction, with the Frontierland boardwalk now demolished and a tower crane in place, even as Disney has still not announced an opening date.

Photo: BlogMickey.com — the Piston Peak tower crane rising above Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom.

Visit disneynewspaper.com for today’s stories and free email alerts.