Magic Kingdom has always been known for its charm, nostalgia, and lush beauty—but right now, parts of it look more like a construction site than a fairytale forest. The latest project has transformed what was once one of the park’s most peaceful corners into a bare and dusty landscape.Guests visiting Frontierland this week have noticed something shocking: hundreds of trees have been bulldozed seemingly overnight, leaving the area nearly unrecognizable.Credit: Inside the MagicThe Clearing of Trees in Magic KingdomAccording to reports from Blog Mickey, the massive tree removal is part of ongoing demolition efforts on Tom Sawyer Island and the surrounding Rivers of America area. This corner of Frontierland, once shaded by thick canopies and home to winding caves and wooden bridges, is now stripped of nearly all foliage. Where there were once towering trees, there’s now open dirt and heavy machinery.PHOTOS: Tree Clearing on Tom Sawyer Island as Demolition Continues in Magic Kingdom https://t.co/CYoLSwJlss— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) November 11, 2025Aerial photos captured earlier this month showed early signs of land clearing, but crews have since gone into full gear. The entire island looks exposed, with sightlines across Frontierland that haven’t been visible since the 1970s. Guests walking through the area describe it as eerily empty—a far cry from the immersive, rustic charm that once defined it.This isn’t just minor landscaping. Disney appears to be in the full demolition phase of its next big expansion. After closing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island permanently back in July, water began draining from the river in August. Since then, crews have demolished structures, removed props, and dismantled the island’s iconic caves.What’s left now resembles a cleared construction zone more than a classic Disney attraction. Even long-time visitors who remember the original island say it’s disorienting to see so much open space. One description compared it to moving out of a house—where all the furniture is gone and the room suddenly feels hollow.Credit: DisneyA New Frontier RisingThe changes, while jarring, aren’t without purpose. Disney’s long-term vision for this area includes not one, but two major additions. Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are being transformed into a Cars-themed expansion called Piston Peak National Park and a Villains-themed land. These two projects are part of the company’s broader effort to reinvent Frontierland and “make it more relevant to today’s audiences.”Piston Peak National Park will draw inspiration from the Planes: Fire & Rescue movie and bring guests into a mountainous environment reminiscent of the American West—complete with fire lookout towers, canyons, and nods to the Cars universe. The Villains land, on the other hand, is shrouded in mystery but promises to be one of the most anticipated projects in Magic Kingdom history.The Emotional Impact on FrontierlandDespite the excitement over what’s coming next, there’s no denying the emotional toll this change has taken on fans. Frontierland has long represented classic Americana within Magic Kingdom—a blend of folklore, adventure, and timeless charm. Losing its natural greenery has left the area feeling exposed, and some guests worry the spirit of the frontier is being lost in the process.The report also noted that words and photos can’t truly convey how different the area feels right now. The scent of freshly cut trees hangs in the air, and instead of a quiet river, guests now see heavy construction walls and equipment moving dirt where rafts once floated. It’s a strange in-between period—where one era has clearly ended, but the next has yet to begin.Credit: DisneyWhat’s Next for Magic KingdomWhile Disney hasn’t given an official opening year for either project, both Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land are already well into the early stages of development. These additions join a long list of expansions happening across the resort.Magic Kingdom recently celebrated the debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which replaced Splash Mountain last summer. Beyond that, work continues on Frontierland’s reimagining and the surrounding infrastructure to support the new lands. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still closed as the attraction undergoes a major reimagining.Other projects around Walt Disney World include EPCOT’s ongoing transformation and new resorts and entertainment offerings tied to the next decade of growth, as well as major expansions coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.If all goes as planned, the next few years will bring a dramatic shift in what guests experience inside Magic Kingdom. While seeing the trees fall is bittersweet, it’s also a reminder that Disney’s magic often comes after the mess. For now, fans are watching closely as the heart of Frontierland is torn down—so that something entirely new can rise in its place.The post Disney Bulldozes an Entire Forest at Magic Kingdom appeared first on Inside the Magic.