Some BIG things are about to happen in Magic Kingdom.
Liberty Square Riverboat
In Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closing soon for a big update. In Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing a MASSIVE upgrade. A Villains land is being built BEHIND Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Meanwhile, Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat are set to close forever as of tomorrow, July 7th, — and we’re here on the last day before this part of Magic Kingdom changes forever.
Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat are all going away to make way for a brand-new Cars expansion, Piston Peak, in Frontierland. This part of Magic Kingdom is set to close tomorrow, July 7th, which means Magic Kingdom is about to look a LOT different. So we visited Magic Kingdom this morning to see what the last day at these attractions looks like. When we arrived in the park, folks were already lined up to ride Liberty Square Riverboat one final time.
Line for the Riverboat
It’s a good thing you can fit a lot of folks on the riverboat. When it arrived for the first time that morning, it had a lot of people waiting to get on board. In fact, the first trip didn’t start until 10 AM, but we say people lining up around 9 AM.
Waiting to board
It’s pretty bittersweet to take a final ride around Rivers of America, which will also be closing tomorrow, and say goodbye to the Riverboat…
On more ride around the rivers
…as well as to some of the sights along the way.
We’ll miss this view
If you want to get on the Riverboat one final time, the last official ride tonight is at 8:30 PM (it’s usually 8, but there’s a final ride scheduled for tonight at 8:30 PM). Note that you will need to have a wristband (obtained from a Cast Member), though, to hop on that final ride. Cast Members were distributing these wristbands at 10 AM this morning, and there are only a limited number available.
Wristband for the final ride
We’ll be keeping an eye out for construction walls tomorrow, July 7th, to see how much of this area will be closed off. We’ll also be keeping up with details of the new Cars expansion as Disney works on it, so we can update you on progress.
Liberty Square Riverboat
Additionally, Tom Sawyer Island is permanently closing. A Cast Member confirmed that there are no special wristbands needed to visit this attraction, and it will be open on its final day of operation from 11 AM to 7 PM. This area will be missed — it was a simple little hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain, filled with passages, secret mined caves, and a frontier fort. Plus, you got some unique views of the Magic Kingdom!
Views from Tom Sawyer Island
In its place, we will eventually see a new Cars Land called Piston Peak. The area is inspired by National Parks, and specifically, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The name of Piston Peak stems from the fictional land, Piston Peak National Park, from the 2014 Disney film Planes: Fire & Rescue (which is part of the Cars universe).
Coming 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.
So, what’s coming to this Cars-themed area? Guests can look forward to two NEW Cars attractions! Get ready to race through the mountains on wild terrain along mountain trails as you dodge geysers and splash through mud holes on an exciting and thrilling rally race ride. Disney also shared that the second ride will be geared toward “smaller racers” and will be fun for the whole family!
Cars Area Concept Art ©Disney
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🚨 QUESTION : What’s Going To Happen To The Liberty River Boat ❓️
Are They Just Going To Decommission That Beautiful Boat ❓️
I Really Hope That They Are Going To Reuse That Boat Somewhere Else…
NOTE : If Anyone Knows What’s Going To Happen With The Liberty River Boat Please Post It And Let Us Know….
THANK YOU
God Bless
I still feel like this is a sad mistake. They should have replaced the raceway instead. Magic Kingdom needs the rivers and the riverboat.
I am disgusted. I was one of the many who fought to keep this area. Might as well call it what it is: Universal Orlando at Disney. Sad that Disney is so afraid of their rival they will abandon the Disney dream for just another amusement park.
Why don’t you just tear down the castle for a rollercoaster and give up.
I sure will miss the riverboat and Tom Sawyer’s Island! I know we must make way for progress, but as an elder millennial it sure does make me a bit heart sore to have to say goodbye. More evidence of time marching on! Looking forward to the new Cars land, though. My own (teen and almost grown!) babies loved that Cars franchise and it’ll be a chance for them to indulge in some nostalgia of their own.
It really be a huge change not being able to enjoy and chill along the Rivers of America and the Riverboat. I also wonder about all the wildlife including the fish…what does/did Disney do to protect all who lived here?
Hate to see it go. You’d think with all the land they supposedly have Disney could have worked around the “island and river.” It seems that piece by piece original rides/Walt inspired creations are going away. Like the new rides, but don’t understand why we can’t have both.
I’m still not happy they’re doing this. I know they have to add rides to keep visitors coming but somethings are classic. Enjoyed riding it midday when I needed some down time and loved how so very peaceful it was.
What a sad, sad day for us original Mousketeers to see an important part of Walt’s concept for the first Disney Park and the first FLORIDA Disney Park.
Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and FRONTIERLAND.
The removal of FRONTIERLAND continues unabated. Can’t have anything good about yesterday’s America displayed to loudly at WDW anymore.
Just terrible to see Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and especially, the Liberty Square Riverboat close. Such a nostalgic part of Magic Kingdom with such wonderful memories of taking my elderly parents on the only ride they could go on and now no longer will we be able to enjoy as a family. Disney doesn’t care about memories or families that have been loyal for years. They just want new, young, foreign money.