At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, a pair of beloved Frontierland fixtures are set to close as part of the massive transformation underway at the Magic Kingdom. Two long-running cornerstones of the park — Westward Ho Refreshments and Big Al’s — will soon be gone to make way for the new Piston Peak National Park, an immersive expansion inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise that is reshaping the northwest corner of the park.

For decades these two locations have been part of the backdrop to Frontierland’s rustic charm. Big Al’s began life as one of the original ticket booths when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 and later became a charming merchandise kiosk themed as the cabin-turned-shop of the grizzled Country Bear character it was named after. Over the years guests could pick up themed merchandise like coonskin caps, cowboy hats, and a variety of novelty items while soaking up a bit of “Old West” ambience.

Westward Ho, by contrast, was a more practical stop on a day in the park. Known for quick-service favourites — frozen lemonade, cold brew coffee, mini corn dogs and other snacks — it served as a popular pitstop for guests heading toward classic Frontierland attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Its simple log-cabin style fit so snugly into the landscape that many visitors assumed it had always been part of Frontierland’s original wilderness aesthetic.

The closures are tied directly to the ongoing construction for Piston Peak National Park. To accommodate this new land and its attractions — which will see portions of the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island filled in and reimagined — several existing walkways and structures must be removed. The area where Westward Ho and Big Al’s now stand is earmarked as part of the future “gateway” into the Cars-inspired environment, meaning both buildings will be demolished rather than simply refreshed or re-themed.

Disney has indicated that these closures will not result in negative employment impacts for the Cast Members who work there; many will be relocated elsewhere within Frontierland as the park’s evolution continues. Ice cream, churro, and popcorn carts that currently sit nearby are likewise expected to be moved to other locations during this phase of construction.

For fans of the traditional Magic Kingdom experience, the loss of Westward Ho and Big Al’s marks a symbolic shift. These small, character-rich elements have long been part of the texture that made Frontierland feel like a lived-in corner of an imagined past, a contrast to the cinematic worlds that have come to dominate recent expansions. As the park forges ahead with Piston Peak National Park and other major projects, the balance between nostalgia and new storytelling will continue to be a theme of discussion among visitors and long-time Disney enthusiasts.

With construction walls moving into place and demolition expected in the coming months, guests planning trips in the spring and summer of 2026 are encouraged to stop by and take in these Frontierland fixtures one last time before they become part of Magic Kingdom history.