Big Al's Permanently Closes at Magic Kingdom's Frontierland for Piston Peak Construction

May 11, 2026 in "Big Al's"

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Big Al's Permanently Closed at Magic Kingdom - May 11, 2026

Posted: Monday May 11, 2026 9:20am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Big Al's merchandise kiosk has permanently closed in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. The closure falls on the May 11 date that appeared on My Disney Experience when operating hours were removed from the location earlier this month.

Big Al's Permanently Closed at Magic Kingdom - May 11, 2026

The kiosk remains in place with its service counters covered by canvas drapes, and the Big Al's sign still visible on the roofline. The location has not yet been placed behind construction walls. Disney has also removed the Big Al's page from the official Disney website.

Westward Ho Refreshments

The nearby Westward Ho refreshment stand remains open for now. My Disney Experience shows operating hours for Westward Ho running through June 22, after which no hours are listed — suggesting that location will follow Big Al's with a closure of its own.

Big Al's Permanently Closed at Magic Kingdom - May 11, 2026

Big Al's sits directly alongside the Piston Peak Cars Land construction zone. The closure clears one of the last remaining structures in the immediate path of the expansion work between the active construction site and the existing Frontierland guest pathway.

Notices of Commencement filed earlier this year listed Buena Vista Construction Company — Disney's in-house construction crew — as the contractor for work at Big Al's, Westward Ho, and the Churro Wagon Cart.

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Bocabear30 days ago

I wold think the entire waterfront area is going to change in use and function...and these were just sales kiosks...I aim sure there will be plenty of opportunities in the revamped Whatever-it-is-land to buy snacks and stuff....

The Chatbox Ghost31 days ago

My guess is that they had to remove these for construction, as they need to work on the boardwalk but can’t close the boardwalk without accommodating for its walking space, so the three structures right next to the boardwalk get torn down, and eventually replacements are put up. Will they look and be named the same? I don’t know. They saved Big Al’s sign, so there’s a chance it’ll be recreated. I can’t see them not putting a food stand back up either.

Mr. SullivanMay 16, 2026

Nothing has been said one way or another, but I would doubt it. All of this sits outside of what all of the concept art we have has established as the boundary of Piston Peak.

FigmentFan82May 15, 2026

Do we know if the intent is to re-theme some of these to go along with piston Peak?

dmc493May 14, 2026

Feels like we're dangerously close to the boardwalk closing?

wdwmagicMay 14, 2026

Big Al's Now Behind Construction Walls as Demolition Nears at Magic Kingdom Big Al's is now behind construction walls in Frontierland, with its signage already removed ahead of demolition. The kiosk closed permanently on May 11 and sits adjacent to the Piston Peak expansion zone, with Westward Ho likely to follow - My Disney Experience shows no operating hours for that stand after June 22. https://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/Big-Als/news/14may2026-big-al-s-now-behind-construction-walls-as-demolition-begins-at-magic-kingdom.htm

J.E.SmithMay 14, 2026

They could have just renamed Prarie Outpost to Big Al's to make up for it (with it being next door to Country Bears it would still make sense to have it there).

MisterPenguinMay 11, 2026

In this economy? Poor Al's gonna have a tough time ahead.

wdwmagicMay 11, 2026

Big Al's Permanently Closes at Magic Kingdom's Frontierland for Piston Peak Construction The Big Al's merchandise kiosk has permanently closed in Frontierland as construction on the Piston Peak expansion continues. Westward Ho next door remains open for now, though My Disney Experience shows its hours running only through June 22. https://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/Big-Als/news/11may2026-big-al-s-permanently-closes-at-magic-kingdom-s-frontierland-for-piston-peak-construction.htm

The Chatbox GhostMay 06, 2026

I would say Carousel of Progress would be fourth, as it's now a WDW exclusive and like you said, the only attraction in the entire resort Walt ever physically touched. Though, since both coast's Haunted Mansions were made at the same time (they made two of everything in preparation for Florida iirc), I guess Walt may have touched some of Florida's ghosts? Florida's Mansion would be on my list anyways. Just considering Magic Kingdom: Cinderella Castle Grizzly Hall (and the Country Bears themselves, regardless of what they're singing) Space Mountain (facade only) The Carousel of Progress The Haunted Mansion The Prince Charming Carousel (it's the oldest operating attraction at any Disney park, being a carousel from the early 1900s iirc) The Walt Disney World Railroad The Liberty Belle Riverboat (it might not be an attraction anymore, but it may survive somewhere else) If we were to included all of WDW, Spaceship Earth would definitely be #2. Not sure if there's anything from DHS/AK I'd include other than their park icons (in DHS's case I'd consider the Chinese Theater more important than the Hollywood Tower, though I'd want that to stick around too)

TouchdownMay 06, 2026

Castle and Main Street USA trump all of these.

Centauri Space StationMay 06, 2026

In order of most important I think MK should always have in some form: WDW Railroad (Walt’s fav thing and inspiration for disneyland) Carousel of progress (A Walt original and only one) Space Mt (The first one) Haunted mansion (Unique and improved on the original) Country bear jamboree (the original version) Peoplemover (the only version left and a personal fav)

TrainsOfDisneyMay 06, 2026

Yes! The Steam Locomotives and Carousel, in addition to being directly connected to Walt’s original vision for the park, are also the only attractions that are historical in their own right - as they existed well before Disney theme parks.