WDI Files Construction Permit for Keelboat Landing as Cars and Villains Lands Prep Continues a Magic Kingdom

23 days ago in "Cars Land Magic Kingdom"

Gallery / 3 Photos
Frontierland Concept Art Aerial View

Posted: Thursday January 15, 2026 7:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new construction permit for the former Keelboat Landing area at Magic Kingdom - the small dock site located along the former Rivers of America shoreline near Haunted Mansion.

Piston Peak Construction Site - December 24, 2025

The permit is assigned to MLC Theming Inc., a frequent Walt Disney Imagineering partner that has been involved in themed construction work across Walt Disney World. The scope of work listed on the filing is the usual vague description of "General Construction."

While Disney has not confirmed what changes are planned for the former Keelboat Landing, the timing suggests the work is tied to ongoing site modifications in the Rivers of America corridor. The area is now in the early stages of a major transformation as Disney prepares for the Piston Peak Cars Land project, along with the upcoming Disney Villains Land expansion.

Wide view of the new Frontierland, with two Cars-themed attractions replacing Tom Sawyer Island

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sedati6 hours ago

I think this is correct especially in regard to the long mystery structure which does remind me of a similar build from Disneyland's version of Galaxy's edge. There was very long and narrow structure that divided the shortened Rivers of America from Galaxy's edge. The train side became the rock-work and waterfall. The top and Galaxy's Edge side became a tree covered berm much as you show here. This was partly for sight-lines and also to block sound. They may want to block out the sounds of the "wildest ride in the wilderness" from the entrance to Villains. I'd love if it had similar waterfalls on the Big Thunder side (another great sound buffer.) Here's a pic of the area under construction from Westcoaster.net: and the finished waterfall:

Nickm202211 hours ago

Looks amazing! Great job! Really curious if the building to the back right of BTM is for. Also feel very confident the small square building to the left of HM is a restaurant or bar themed to HM. Feel the stream will tie this area together very well like Grizzly Peak and Grizzly Gulch. Personally my only concern is that I hope this ride is at least longer than 2 minutes as I think anything shorter then 7D would be a waste, also curious if they are still gonna do that 2nd cars ride or not.

SplashJacket1 day ago

Do we have waste water permits from previous expansions (like Galaxy’s Edge) to see how closely the facilities align with the built construction?

veritas551 day ago

I like it too, although I think it has the cars ride extending too far north (?) on both the BTMR and HH side, based on the limited artwork? I especially like the Cars ride track being an endless loop. ;)

Timothy_Q1 day ago

Best one of these I've seen so far Love how the big thunder terrain is extending through the west side of cars. Hope it ends up feeling integrated and connected like that.

Conor.Nam151 day ago

I have high hopes for this stream… A general idea of what I think may develop based on the permits and fun map:

DrStarlander1 day ago

I posted this drawing back in Sept. so apologies, but rather than the riverbed itself, I wonder if this is a pad footing for a retaining wall between the lowered river and normal elevation?

Disney Analyst1 day ago

Potentially the start of the new stream. https://blogmickey.com/2026/02/first-look-stream-replacing-rivers-of-america-frontierland/

Goofyernmost2 days ago

In all likelihood the plans have been finalized, but they are not written in stone. I have never been part of a project (non-Disney) that didn't have as many change orders as the previous intentions. Those happen from things that are encountered during construction. Some were massive, some were minor, but construction is a minefield of possible problems.

FigmentFan822 days ago

That seems very reasonable

Coaster Lover2 days ago

I mean, with construction starting and permits being filed, I would assume that they are passed the "dreaming" phase, passed the "planning phase", and onto the "realizing" phase. Hopefully, that means we get some finalized info (specifically, concept art that closely mirrors what is actually being built). Now, if they decide to share tat with us now or wait until closer to opening is another thing. I'm hoping we get some really concrete info for cars (new piece of concept art, names for the attractions, and maybe an opening year). For Villains, I'm not expecting much more than a new piece of concept art (maybe a model) and maybe a finalized name for the land. I think extensive details on the rides may be premature.

FigmentFan822 days ago

I wonder how far along things will be come D23, and what new/extra information they may clue us in to for these new areas

veritas552 days ago

yes, that's the perplexing part for me -- that they leveled that huge swath of trees beyond the RR tracks. I initially thought that would be the main coaster show building area (but it's not -- only part of the facility straddles a segment of the land). Now, I wonder if it could be the structure for the background moutains? (but seems too large for that?). I know some of it will be for staging materials but it's perplexing what they intend to do there.

DrStarlander2 days ago

What's shown in the art foreground is a tinted-back tease of the coaster circling by 20 to 30 feet underground, so I don't know what to make of that. I chalked it up to Disney concept art fiction given how unlikely that hole was. I wasn't expecting to walk through a few acres of coaster before you get to the village.