We’ve known these Disney World closures were coming, but we didn’t know how soon they would be!
Tom Sawyer Island
Disney World’s own Cars-themed area is coming, and to make way for Lightning McQueen and friends, Magic Kingdom is getting reworked, and we finally have closing dates.
The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will be permanently closing on July 7th, making the last day of operation July 6th.
Liberty Square Riverboat
Disney said the construction walls won’t be up for a few weeks, and they won’t get in the way of the new Magic Kingdom nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away.
Construction Walls
Sad about losing the Rivers of America? While it’s not exactly the same, Disney has announced that it will incorporate water elements into the area.
©Disney
The Cars-themed area taking over the land space will have two new Cars attractions, including one that will have you racing through the mountains on wild terrain. The second will be for smaller races and the whole family.
@Disney
Over on the West Coast, Cars Land has been in Disney California Adventure since 2012 and offers meet-and-greets, dining options, and a few attractions. The details here are incredible and truly make you feel like you entered the movie.
Cars Land in Disney California Adventure
Remember, the last day to ride on the Liberty Belle and take the raft over to Tom Sawyer Island is July 6th. Make sure you book that park reservation and take the time to run around the caves and trails all over the island.
©Disney
We’re sad to be losing three Magic Kingdom elements in one day, but we’re excited for the future of this new area. The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will all close on July 7th.
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I don’t know how you can be excited about this. This is a travesty and will ruin the ambiance of the park.
At the rate Disney builds new attractions this will be completed after uni adds an 8th gate and 3 more hotels. Lol lol
This is not rocket science. Put the larger cats attraction In Tomorrowland get rid of the gas cars. Put the smaller one in storybook circus for more to do with smaller children. Put a good food service on the island and a story time and meet and greet on the island with jungle book or some other IP. Add 2000 leagues type attraction on the liberty Belle bottom floor with seats. Villains land can replace belle storybook area as they are most fantasy related. And in Hollywood studios get rid of villains show and put Muppets so kids have something to do when can’t go on roller coast or hotel rides over there. What a disgrace to get rid of the island and river for loud cars and more lines!!!! Fun time standing for Haunted Mansion with McQueen racing around. Disney WakeUp!!!
Saying nothing about destroying the habitat of creatures living in Rivers of America. Cuz Disney is all about the environment. I never believed that with the paper straw hype and don’t believe it now.
Well I was hoping for 1 more chance at both of these attractions. Now each WDW park will have reduced attraction capacity, hopefully this leads to a reduction in demand instead of just increased wait times.
Huge mistake!
HATE HATE HATE HATE THIS …..closing a beloved part of MK…….We loved going on Liberty on a hot day….relaxing trip around….sound of the whistle…..taking walk and sitdown on Sawyers Island …….Disney is chipping away at any beloved area slowly slowly slowly……..Disgusted…..
Probably cancelling our trip over closing Tom Sawyer the day before we arrive….it was the main reason we were going …makes zero sense to close this attraction in the middle of the summer. May never visit Disney ever again…it’s extremely poor decision making.
What a disaster. So much space to build and they instead remove one of the most beautiful areas of any park in the world. There is no one creative at the Disney company anymore.
Iger and his minions have destroyed the park experience.
A total mess.
I was so hoping this Cars abomination would die a quiet death like so many announced projects. I am beyond sad at this news that makes it a heartbreaking reality. It’s the ruination of that part of MK. And even more sad that I won’t be able to get back to WDW before it happens. 🙁
I hate the idea. Cars belongs in Hollywood Studios. Everyone knows Magic Kingdom has the most rides of all the parks. But Disney will do what it wants, no matter what the majority of its visitor’s opinions are. Sad they have lost sight of Walt Disney’s dream.
Here again we lose a spot in the park that isn’t all go, go, go. These quiet places are a wonderful respite from the rest of the park and I am dismayed at Disney’s decision. They must be looking at data on how many people per square inch and decided that this area is underutilized. Ugh. I thought they understood theming. Might as well just go ahead and make it an amusement park and install a coaster at every turn. Maybe one on top of Cinderella’s Castle?
I guess Disney bought all Land to let it waste, I agree with Tom B !!!!
My second reply to this: I don’t understand Disney short sided views. Do they not visit their own theme parks? Do they not listen to their patrons? Take one walk past Rivers of America in the sun and tell me you wouldn’t relish a break in the shade of from the breeze of the river boat. These people are planning from corporate offices with no interest in what actually happens in the parks. Sad Disney is reduced to this by computer run imagineers. And no one seems to care enough to stop it.
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Agree with all the comments, that cars belong in Tomorrows!Land or Hollywood. They’re eroding the magic that Disney intended, especially in the Magic Kingdom! What makes those in charge think this is a good idea. I said I wouldn’t go back after the 50th Anniversary on July 4. It was magic. I’ll go this December since I’ve committed, but the magic is slowly draining out of the Magic Kingdom, and I’m done. So very sad..,