Happy new fiscal year! The Piston Peak National Park tower crane was in operation today at Magic Kingdom, the first time we’ve seen it moving since crews installed it last month. An operator sat inside the cabin during the 9:00am hour while the crane swung around the construction site. We didn’t see it lift anything yet, but the jib was moving and has an impressive reach across the site. Here’s a look!
Piston Peak National Park Tower Crane Operating at Magic Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The Piston Peak National Park tower crane operated today, with an operator in the cabin and the jib swinging across the site.
- Photos from Liberty Square show the jib appearing to reach over guest areas.
- Photos from yesterday show the crane visible from around Magic Kingdom, including from Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Our close-up photos show the operator in the cabin at the top of the mast. The hook hung empty in our photos, and we didn’t see any equipment or materials being lifted into place yet. Instead, it seemed like the operator was simply trying to point the crane into the wind. Once use of the crane begins, it will help build the show buildings and theming for Piston Peak National Park. That includes Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin Along, the two Cars-themed attractions planned for the land.
The crane began taking shape in July, when the first blue steel section appeared in the dirt pit. Crews poured its concrete foundation a few days later, and the mast has grown considerably since. Disney filed paperwork in February that states crews will complete infrastructure work for both Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land by 2028.
Liberty Square Photos Show the Crane’s Reach
The Liberty Square photos show how far the jib stretches. In several of them, the long white lattice arm hangs above the former Liberty Square Riverboat launch. It appears to reach over the guest walkway in front of it. At least for a few feet.
A tower crane’s jib sweeps a wide circle around its mast. The central positioning of the mast is one thing, but the swing radius is the detail to watch once lifts begin. The crane should be able to reach all corners of the Piston Peak National Park construction site to support the work.
Crane Visible From Around Magic Kingdom
Our photos from today and yesterday show how far the crane’s presence extends throughout Magic Kingdom. The mast rises above the tree line from Adventureland and Frontierland. In other photos, the jib appears over the Haunted Mansion queue area, the Hub, and the rooftops in Fantasyland.
Two elevated photos from Disney’s Contemporary Resort show the crane rising behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. One also frames Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland. The crane is massive, and it’s visible from around the park. With most of the Piston Peak National Park site behind construction walls, the crane is now the easiest part of the work for guests to spot.
Story So Far
- February: Disney filed paperwork that states crews will complete infrastructure work for Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land by 2028.
- July 25: The first section of the crane’s blue steel base appeared in the dirt pit at the Piston Peak National Park construction site.
- July 28: Crews poured the concrete foundation for the crane’s base.
- September 23: Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement for general construction at a new address near Haunted Mansion.
- September 27: Aerial photos showed the crane fully assembled with its jib extended over the site.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!