We’re keeping a close eye on construction in Magic Kingdom, and things are CHANGING at the Rivers of America.
The water is disappearing!
The Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island closed in July to make way for new Cars attractions coming to Frontierland, and we’ve been visiting frequently since to look out for any construction updates. And as of yesterday, we’ve started to see some of the water getting drained!
During our most recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we stopped by the Rivers of America to look for any changes and found that the water level was lower than usual. It seems that Disney has begun the draining process to start construction.
It’s disappearing!
We’ve seen the Rivers of America drained in the past for general maintenance work, but it may only be a few days before we see the rivers with water for the last time! (*insert tears here*) You can clearly see the lower water level along the banks.
It’s more obvious on the banks
With the water level decreasing, it’s also easier to see the bottom of the river itself. We could clearly see the track that the Liberty Square Riverboat used to run along.
Of course, draining the river won’t be the only step that Disney has to take in order to prepare this land for construction, but it’s a start to the process.
You can see the bottom more clearly.
Over by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the difference is pretty stark. The land outside the attraction’s drop is nearly dried up. Previously, there was water filling both sides of the barrier.
Over by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Well, everyone, say your goodbyes to the river! We’ll be interested to see the upcoming steps to the construction process, but it is bittersweet to see an icon go away.
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World.
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So terrible, just awful. They could have created something entirely new with Cars or whatever, instead of d estroying Rivers and TSI … so angry my kids will not get to explore that. They are just slapping stupid modern IPs on everything without any regard to whether it fits, it’s magically, or really is disney world worthy … We don’t go to the parks to stand in line for a generic movie advertisement, we go to escape to something. Rivers did that, and TSI was the ONLY place kids could do that. So hate this. I can go to Universal if I just want another generic park , which is what they seem intent on turning Walt’s vision into.
I completely agree with Lane K, I used to go to Disney World because it was a place to go for a completely relaxing vacation. Once I got on the plane at my home airport, I didn’t have to worry about luggage, transportation, caring around purchases in the park, etc. Once in the park I had a choice of taking quiet, relaxing rides, such as Rivers , and TSI, there were also lots of choices for shows such as the Polynesian review, there were also special events like Wanyama safari, wine tastings, a real High Tea that provided some elegance to the vacation. If I wanted something more exciting I could go on rides one of my favorites was rock ‘n’ roller coaster . Those were the things that allowed you to escape from the world into a whimsical magical time where you could really relax, and made the higher prices justifiable. Now that it’s becoming just another overpriced amusement park, I’m sure that Universal, Hershey Park , Dollywood, etc are very happy with the choices that Disney is making.
Well, this Old Mousketeer will steer clear of the tatters of Frontierland and the “sign-less” Adventureland, as watching the destruction of Disney History is not to the liking of us 20th-century mousketeers.
I hate it. It’s wrong. It breaks my heart to think of all the families who won’t get to enjoy what my family and I have for more than fifty years. Bad decision Disney.
Disney is ruining itself!! This idea is right up there with the Star Wars hotel that was a huge waste of time and $$, I called that from the begining!! Removing all the nostalgia of what made Disney so wonderful is turning the magic of Disney into just another amusement park! Walt would be so disappointed! I’m disappointed and I’m not the only one, young and old, many are!!! Where’s the Luau? High tea? All the little things that made Disney special…. They just need to stop!!!
Utterly disappointed! Cars ride belongs where the Speedway is. Villains should be the 5th gate with attached hotel. Disney has destroyed the magic and cohesion of the parks!