Fans are flocking to this opening day Magic Kingdom original now that they know it’s about to sail away FOREVER.
Liberty Square Riverboat
The Rivers of America, and the riverboats that sail them, have been a part of Disney parks since the literal beginning, as the river and the Mark Twain Riverboat were part of Disneyland from the VERY beginning. The same was true of the Magic Kingdom at its opening, as the park debuted with its own version of the Rivers of America as well as its own riverboat.
When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America were sailed by one riverboat: The Admiral Joe Fowler, named after a well-known figure of early Imagineering and theme park operations.
In 1973 a second boat, the Richard F. Irvine (named for Disney executive Richard “Dick” Irvine) joined the fleet. The latter would become the park’s only boat in 1980 when the Joe Fowler was retired after an accident involving a crane. Other than the ship being renamed the Liberty Belle in 1996, the Rivers of America and its riverboat remained relatively unchanged for the first 5+ decades of Disney World’s existence. That was all announced as changing in 2024.
The Rivers of America
At that summer’s D23: Ultimate Fan Event, Disney announced that a massive new Cars-themed area was coming to Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom… at the expense of the river, its central Tom Sawyer Island, and its watercraft, including the Liberty Belle.
According to a Disney statement at the time of the announcement, “the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers.”
Coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, a new area themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars” will leave Radiator Springs and head to the wilderness with two new attractions including an off-road race.
Suffice to say, many fans were unhappy with the announcement, saying that removing the Rivers of America and its watercraft was tantamount to “ripping the heart” out of the Magic Kingdom. It’s also led to some renewed fan interest in the Liberty Belle, as fans are making it a point to take a final ride down the river before construction begins sometime in 2025.
The Liberty Belle Riverboat in Magic Kingdom
On April 27th, 2025, the fan-run Dapper Days event — an event that celebrates “fun, refined style from vintage classics to chic, contemporary looks!”– featured a ride on the Liberty Belle as part of its itinerary. They referred to it as “one final riverboat voyage before this 51-year-old attraction permanently closes.”
Liberty Belle
We’re still not sure when exactly the Liberty Belle and the rest of the Rivers of America will be closing for good, but until then, some fans are making it a point to ride the opening day original to say goodbye. Stay tuned to DFB for more on the Magic Kingdom’s changes.
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We are really sad to see this go. And something I don’t think Disney has their market research right on – it’s not just the older generations who are sad to see changes like this. Disney is turning off even very young people, people who grew up loving these attractions and that they are enjoying what their parents and grandparents enjoyed before them. People who are just starting to think about careers and families of their own one day. That generation is unhappy to lose what’s been there ‘all their lives’ too. And of course the older generations are completely turned off with what they see Disney doing in the parks now. Those of us in the middle are a little more flexible, at least in my family, but… who are we supposed to go to the parks WITH?
I wonder when they will tear down Cinderella’s Castle in favor of some other flavor of the day attraction. I’m a fan of adding, not replacing. And while we’re at it, they had a clean slate and all the room they could want. Why in the world would Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Pirates of the Caribbean be shorter rides in the Magic Kingdom as compared to Disneyland? I would also love to see a head-to-head between Splash Mountain and Tianna’s Bayou Adventure. One had a story, the other, meh.
Disney, is nothing more than a reflection of what appeals to the stockholders. Guest’s, are not even an afterthought. Money is the common denominator.
Disney is making a big mistake in these changes at Frontierland. This, is so sad. I don’t feel Cars is the right fit in Frontierland. What will they do with that big beautiful boat? Maybe Disney should have added some seating on the Liberty belle! I am sad😞
I’m not upset to see Tom Sawyer island go, but I am upset to see the Rivers of America go. I genuinely can’t wait for Cars to come to Frontierland. I think that a theme park needs beauty and appealing attractions equally. The movement of the boat through the river and the steam in the distance add to the magic, the same way the railroad does at the front entrance. It may have low riders but everyone appreciates it whether they realize it or not.
I understand the nostalgia for the riverboat, but I won’t be sad to see it go. It was always hotter than Hades on that boat.