MK Piston Peak and Villains Land Construction Thread

[Goofyernmost]

I can't wait to see the new landscape towering over the fencing. I really think people are going to be surprised at how good this will look. Will the ride be fun? Who knows. Will it break down every time it rains? Maybe. Should it have ever gone here in the first place? A topic worthy of debate. But Disney know how to build rockwork, trees, fake mountains, and stunning waterfalls. If they truly add the water back in like the cartoon concept map shows, this will be beautiful.

Does anyone know if DIS has finished tagging everything they want to remove? Is the next phase demolition?

Important distinction... It won't breakdown every time it rains, it Shuts Down. I can't speak for everyone, but I would prefer not to be pelted in the face in one of Florida's, rain going sideways, storms that made them famous. Can you imagine, riding in a open vehicle during one of those, in a moving machine that you cannot stop or get out of or have a place to shelter. You would just have to ride it out. Ouchy! And oh so wet!

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Can you imagine, riding in an open vehicle during one of those, in a moving machine that you cannot stop or get out of or have a place to shelter.

On one of my last trips around the park on the WDW railroad a light rain started “oh boy…. Maybe I’ll hear a wheel slips - by the time we got to Main Street I was soaked.

Only in Florida does it rain sideways! Haha

 

[Goofyernmost]

On one of my last trips around the park on the WDW railroad a light rain started “oh boy…. Maybe I’ll hear a wheel slips - by the time we got to Main Street I was soaked.

Only in Florida does it rain sideways! Haha

On the plus side if you ever get caught in one of those downpours there is no sense running to get out of it because after the first 4 seconds it will impossible to get any wetter.

 

[Purduevian]

They just need to make all the cars convertibles so they can run in the rain!

 

[Nickm2022]

https://.com/2025/10/major-part-of-rivers-of-america-removed-as-construction-continues/

first section of the island removed

 

[gerarar]

TSI suspension bridge has been demolished.
Before / After:

Source and more:

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The cars are already taking over!!!!!

 

[EricsBiscuit]

What a shame. They just spent a small fortune refurbishing that bridge a couple of years ago.

 

[xxbradonxx]

Some photos from oct 9

 

[jah4955]

Some photos from oct 9

I expected both: 1) things kicked into a "higher gear" right after scrims completed, & 2) they demo (plus haul away any related debris immediately created) overnight) ....

 

[Goofyernmost]

Me thinks it is too late for them to change their cobwebby minds, right?

 

[FigmentFan82]

All steam ahead. I do wonder if they will be bullish enough to do the phase 2 “Beyond” sooner than later once cars and villains is done. I would like to see perhaps Moana in AL first, then the Coco Beyond addition.

 

[Purduevian]

All steam ahead. I do wonder if they will be bullish enough to do the phase 2 “Beyond” sooner than later once cars and villains is done. I would like to see perhaps Moana in AL first, then the Coco Beyond addition.

This is taking up basically all the "Beyond" room inside the train tracks and not going into the fireworks fallout zone

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

This is taking up basically all the "Beyond" room inside the train tracks and not going into the fireworks fallout zone

I don't think it is. Cars and Villains is supposed to be taking up all the ROA. The Laydown Area (or whatever the actual technical term is) is where the original "Beyond" area was shown as bluesky. Unless I am completely wrong on that, then somebody correct me.

But if that is correct, then the laydown/Original Beyond area should be ready to be developed on after this is done, technically.

I attached three pictures from the bioreconstruct account on twitter and circled what I mean about my understanding of the current projects and the original "Beyond" area.

Red is where I think Villains is going.
Yellow is Cars
Blue is where the original "Beyond" bluesky thing was shown, and is now a laydown yard.

 

[Timothy_Q]

I don't think it is. Cars and Villains is supposed to be taking up all the ROA. The Laydown Area (or whatever the actual technical term is) is where the original "Beyond" area was shown as bluesky. Unless I am completely wrong on that, then somebody correct me.

The originally announced Beyond BTM project would've taken up a different piece of land than is being used for Cars/Villains but they're financially the same project. One replaced the other one. They're not phase 1 and phase 2.

Sure, if in 30 years they decide they want to expand this corner of the park again, they could come back and use the land behind BTM for something else, but for now the northwest section of MK is likely done.

After Villains their focus will likely shift to other parts of WDW that are in much worse shape and in higher need of investment (Tomorrowland, DAK capacity, Animation Courtyard, EPCOT, etc)

 

[James Alucobond]

The originally announced Beyond BTM project would've taken up a different piece of land than is being used for Cars/Villains but they're financially the same project. One replaced the other one. They're not phase 1 and phase 2.

Sure, if in 30 years they decide they want to expand this corner of the park again, they could come back and use the land behind BTM for something else, but for now the northwest section of MK is likely done.

After Villains their focus will likely shift to other parts of WDW that are in much worse shape and in higher need of investment (Tomorrowland, DAK capacity, Animation Courtyard, EPCOT, etc)

I kind of disagree, mostly because an expansion northwest allows for a new hotel (and therefore new DVC, which is in their interest).

DAK will be fine unless they want to tackle staying open later again, in which case it needs maybe two rides (Africa, Pandora) and an amphitheater show. No new lands or major reworks of existing ones will be needed for some time.

HS will also be in great condition. Again, maybe a new Galaxy’s Edge attraction/dining, something behind AC, or a swap out for some tired theater shows, but it can also easily weather another half decade with minimal investment.

MK does have a Tomorrowland problem, but it feels like it’s now getting piecemeal treatment akin to Frontierland. TRON is new, SRS and Carousel are already on the refresh docket, and minor visual changes are happening throughout the land. Add in a BTMRR-level refurb for Space, a promenade CBMJ-level theater renewal for Stitch and Laugh Floor when Monstropolis opens, and a big Speedway renewal as the capstone when Piston Peak opens and you’re good. Old Fantasyland is the only other area that feels a bit tired to me, but I don’t think it cracks their list of concerns in the slightest.

To me, EPCOT is the only remaining park that really requires massive simultaneous investment in multiple areas in order to keep pace. Everywhere else feels like it’s on track to catch up. Wonders of Life, Imagination, Spaceship Earth, CommuniCore, and multiple national pavilions needed renewed investment, like, yesterday.

… Aaand that was all just a really long-form run-in to saying that further development northwest as the “other” big project alongside EPCOT Round 2 while they slow-roll other additions/replacements doesn’t feel far-fetched to me.

 

[Stupido]

Old Fantasyland is the only other area that feels a bit tired to me, but I don’t think it cracks their list of concerns in the slightest.

I think Adventureland needs the most help in MK. Adding Beak & Barrel has definitely given more life to the land, but everything from from the Adventureland gate to Pirates is in bad shape. The majority of my visit last week, even Jungle Cruise was under 20 minutes. I really hope that Moana finds a home in Adventureland soon.

 

[James Alucobond]

I think Adventureland needs the most help in MK. Adding Beak & Barrel has definitely given more life to the land, but everything from from the Adventureland gate to Pirates is in bad shape. The majority of my visit last week, even Jungle Cruise was under 20 minutes. I really hope that Moana finds a home in Adventureland soon.

Eh, Pirates has actually gotten a lot of shine lately, Jungle Cruise was very recently redone, Swiss Treehouse was refurbed, and all of the pavement throughout the Sunshine Tree Terrace area was renewed. Only the Agrabah/Tiki Room corridor is a bit neglected, but it's not like they're getting rid of Carpets anytime soon. In light of that, it really just needs standard refurb work in that small section.

 

[jah4955]

Eh, Pirates has actually gotten a lot of shine lately, Jungle Cruise was very recently redone, Swiss Treehouse was refurbed, and all of the pavement throughout the Sunshine Tree Terrace area was renewed. Only the Agrabah/Tiki Room corridor is a bit neglected, but it's not like they're getting rid of Carpets anytime soon. In light of that, it really just needs standard refurb work in that small section.

I never did not hate the carpets, but I realize they're likely here to stay.

 

[UNCgolf]

I kind of disagree, mostly because an expansion northwest allows for a new hotel (and therefore new DVC, which is in their interest).

DAK will be fine unless they want to tackle staying open later again, in which case it needs maybe two rides (Africa, Pandora) and an amphitheater show. No new lands or major reworks of existing ones will be needed for some time.

HS will also be in great condition. Again, maybe a new Galaxy’s Edge attraction/dining, something behind AC, or a swap out for some tired theater shows, but it can also easily weather another half decade with minimal investment.

MK does have a Tomorrowland problem, but it feels like it’s now getting piecemeal treatment akin to Frontierland. TRON is new, SRS and Carousel are already on the refresh docket, and minor visual changes are happening throughout the land. Add in a BTMRR-level refurb for Space, a promenade CBMJ-level theater renewal for Stitch and Laugh Floor when Monstropolis opens, and a big Speedway renewal as the capstone when Piston Peak opens and you’re good. Old Fantasyland is the only other area that feels a bit tired to me, but I don’t think it cracks their list of concerns in the slightest.

To me, EPCOT is the only remaining park that really requires massive simultaneous investment in multiple areas in order to keep pace. Everywhere else feels like it’s on track to catch up. Wonders of Life, Imagination, Spaceship Earth, CommuniCore, and multiple national pavilions needed renewed investment, like, yesterday.

… Aaand that was all just a really long-form run-in to saying that further development northwest as the “other” big project alongside EPCOT Round 2 while they slow-roll other additions/replacements doesn’t feel far-fetched to me.

I think HS will still be in the worst shape of all the parks even after the Monsters Inc. area opens.