Construction is moving forward at one of the quieter corners of Liberty Square. A new structure has started to take shape at the site of the former Mike Fink Keel Boat Landing, the spot near Haunted Mansion that sat unused for years before demolition began this past spring. The work ties directly into Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed expansion coming to Magic Kingdom. Here is a look at what is happening on site, how the project has progressed, and where it fits into the bigger picture.
What Is Being Built
A new metal-framed structure is going up behind the Piston Peak National Park construction walls in Liberty Square. Rather than standing on its own, it is being built against the back of an existing facade, the same building that once served as the Haunted Mansion’s overflow queue. Because of that, the footprint of the original building is expanding.
The addition has a shed-style roof that meets the existing rooflines, so it reads as part of the same complex rather than a separate structure. Crews have sheathed the frame in plywood over what appears to be a new concrete block foundation. One wall already shows a hint of theming, with a small arched opening framed into it that resembles a window.
Where the Work Is Happening
The site sits in a part of Liberty Square surrounded by familiar locations. Memento Mori and Columbia Harbour House are both nearby, which places the new building in a well-traveled section of the park.
On a recent visit, a loader and an excavator were working the surrounding dirt as crews continued preparing the area for more construction. That level of heavy equipment activity points to a site still in an active phase, with more work likely ahead.
From Demolition to Vertical Construction
This is the first vertical construction spotted at the site since the teardown earlier in the year. When the location was last covered in May, crews were removing the Keel Boat Landing, and about half the structure along with the Rivers of America dock had already come down.
The pace has been fairly quick. In roughly two months, the site went from active demolition to new construction rising against the existing facade. Before any of that began, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a General Construction permit for the site in January 2026, setting the stage for the work now underway.
How It Connects to Piston Peak National Park
The new building is part of Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed land being developed where the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island once stood. Disney is billing the project as an expansion of Frontierland rather than a standalone themed land.
Given its position, this structure may end up near one of the walkways leading into the new land from Liberty Square and Frontierland. That would give the building a practical role in guiding guests between the existing areas and the expansion, though its exact purpose has not been confirmed.
The Story So Far
Here is a quick timeline of how the site reached this point:
- The Mike Fink Keel Boats opened with Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, and closed in 2001.
- Walt Disney Imagineering filed a General Construction permit for the site in January 2026.
- Demolition began in May 2026, taking down about half the structure and the Rivers of America dock.
- As of early July, a new metal-framed structure is under construction, built against the back of the existing building.
- The work is part of Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed land replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
Conclusion
The rising structure at the former Mike Fink Keel Boat Landing marks a clear step forward for Piston Peak National Park. What was an active demolition site in May now holds a framed and sheathed building tied into the old Haunted Mansion queue facade, complete with early theming touches like the arched window opening. As crews continue shaping the surrounding area, this spot is worth watching for anyone tracking how the Cars-themed expansion connects into Liberty Square and Frontierland.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
