Reimagined Disney Railroad Experience Coming to Magic Kingdom in July. Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom, and construction will start on July 7th, 2025. July 6th will be the last day to experience three Magic Kingdom attractions in their current forms. Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close permanently. The Walt Disney World Railroad will also be affected, with the closing of Frontierland Station. For what could be years, the railroad will operate in shuttle mode, according to Disney.
To make way for the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad will be operating under a modified route that excludes Frontierland station beginning July 7. The attraction will operate as a shuttle between Main Street Station and Fantasyland Station only.
This confirms an article we wrote on August 26th, 2024, which you can read some of what we wrote below. At the time, we did not see the “Shuttle” mode coming. What is shuttle mode? The Walt Disney World Railroad will not make the full loop around the Magic Kingdom, instead, the steam trains will go from Fantasyland Station to Main Street Station, back and forth. Plus, the guest train cars will be reimagined for the time being to make it more comfortable for guests. Our thoughts are that the cars will now face towards the park, instead of facing forward.
What is the timeline, and how long with the Walt Disney World Railroad be closed? July 6th, 2025, is the last day to ride the railroad in its current form. On July 7th, 2025, Frontierland Station will be closed. The Walt Disney World Railroad could be operating like this for the next 5 years or more! With construction on Piston Peak, it will be followed by the construction of Disney Villains Land. Both of those will surround the train tracks on that side of the Magic Kingdom.
“A themed land revolving around the ‘Cars’ franchise has been announced for Frontierland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Furthermore, a Villains Land is coming beyond Big Thunder Mountain. We are going to be losing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, and we may be down another opening day attraction for years.
Walt Disney World Railroad travels around the perimeter of Magic Kingdom on a 1.5 journey that takes 20 minutes from beginning to end. 4 Locomotives have served guests since October 1st, 1971. Recently reopened after many years of being out of service while Tron Lightcycle Run was under construction, there is a possibility that Disney World Railroad may be down again for an extended time. So far, there is no official word.
About the permits recently filed locally: The Rivers of America project at Disney World is currently in its early stages, requiring extensive planning and permitting to ensure environmental compliance. A crucial aspect of this planning involves addressing stormwater displacement and the establishment of construction laydown yards.”
Reimagined Disney Railroad Experience Coming to Magic Kingdom in July
Walt Disney World Railroad – Main Street, U.S.A. – Celebrate classic Americana at this picturesque train station near the entrance to Magic Kingdom park.
Listen to the clamor of the engine, the chug of the wheels, and the call of the whistle as you travel aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Take your seat on 1 of 4 meticulously restored, vintage narrow-gauge steam trains—originally built between 1916 and 1928—and enjoy a relaxing 20-minute, 1.5-mile scenic round-trip tour.
It’s a convenient—and nostalgic—way to get around Magic Kingdom park!
