Frontierland Is Changing: Magic Kingdom Boardwalk Now Fully Closed

[IMAGE: Construction walls along the Frontierland boardwalk]

Magic Kingdom has temporarily lost one of its most atmospheric walkways. The Frontierland boardwalk connecting Liberty Square to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been fully closed and walled off since September 2, 2026. The move had been coming: half the path closed in early July, and until recently only a short stretch near the now-demolished Westward Ho remained accessible. The walkway had already been removed from both digital and printed guide maps back in July.

Why it's gone

The closure is driven by construction on Piston Peak National Park. The land is rising in the north-western corner of the park as part of the largest expansion ever announced for Magic Kingdom. The boardwalk itself is not expected to vanish permanently – a riverside path still appears in the official Piston Peak concept art. A refurbishment and eventual reopening is the likely outcome, though Disney has not given a timeline.

What Piston Peak will bring

Disney detailed the land at D23 2026. Piston Peak National Park is conceived as a fictional wilderness inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the design language of American national parks – "Parkitecture," where buildings are deliberately blended into the landscape. Snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, rivers and geysers are all part of the plan.

Two attractions are confirmed. Cars Ridge Run Rally is an off-road race that climbs Piston Peak's summit, drops over a camelback, crosses a geyser field and passes the Old Tankfull geyser on the way to the finish line, with Lightning McQueen and Mater calling the race. It debuts an entirely new ride vehicle system with real tyres and suspension that reacts to the terrain. Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along picks up the character from Cars 3, with a school-bus-sized animatronic hosting a demolition derby.

Among the casualties of the build was Westward Ho, demolished during this construction phase.

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