The Piston Peak Cars Land expansion at Magic Kingdom just got a significant construction update. Notices of Commencement have been filed for Big Al’s, Westward Ho, and the Churro Wagon Cart in Frontierland — all three locations connected to the upcoming Cars Land development. The contractor named in the permits is Buena Vista Construction, Disney’s in-house construction arm. Here’s what these filings mean and where the project stands.
What Are Notices of Commencement?
A Notice of Commencement is a legal filing in Florida that officially kicks off a construction project. It names the property owner, contractor, and project scope, and establishes the starting point for construction timelines and lien rights. When multiple Notices are filed for adjacent locations at the same time, it typically signals coordinated construction across a defined project area — exactly what you’d expect for a themed land expansion.
Big Al’s, Westward Ho, and Churro Wagon Cart
The three locations named in these permits — Big Al’s, Westward Ho, and the Churro Wagon Cart — all sit in the Frontierland area near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is the expected footprint for the Piston Peak Cars Land expansion. These venues are being cleared or modified to make way for the new land. The Churro Wagon in particular is a fan-favorite quick-service stop, so its inclusion in the permits signals that the expansion footprint is being established.
Piston Peak: What We Know About the Cars Land
The Piston Peak Cars Land is planned as a significant expansion of Magic Kingdom, drawing from the Cars film franchise and universe. Piston Peak is the national park setting from the animated movie Planes offering Disney Imagineers a rich outdoor environment to work with — forest, mountains, and rustic Americana theming that fits naturally alongside Frontierland. Site clearing behind Big Thunder Mountain is already underway, shared with the adjacent Villains Land project.
What This Means for Your Magic Kingdom Visit
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom in the near term, expect construction walls in the Frontierland area as the project gets underway. The main park experience is unaffected, but proximity to Big Thunder Mountain means some pathway changes are likely. Big Thunder Mountain itself is not part of the construction scope (but it is currently under refurbishment) — it’s a neighboring attraction to the expansion.
The Piston Peak Cars Land permits are one more sign that Magic Kingdom’s massive expansion is well past the planning stage. Between Cars Land and Villains Land both in active development, the park is about to grow in ways it hasn’t seen since Fantasyland expanded in 2012. Stay tuned — this is one of the most exciting multi-year stories at Walt Disney World.
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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop
I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!
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