Walt Disney World is preparing to close several long-standing attractions in its Magic Kingdom park as part of a major transformation effort announced in August 2024. The closures come as Disney advances plans to introduce new themed experiences across its Orlando parks, including Zootopia at Animal Kingdom, Monsters, Inc. at Hollywood Studios, and a Cars-themed area at Magic Kingdom.
The redevelopment will significantly alter Frontierland, resulting in the permanent closure of three beloved attractions: The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island.
The Rivers of America, a scenic artificial waterway, has long been a fixture at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Surrounding Tom Sawyer Island, the river was designed to reflect the untamed beauty of the American wilderness. Guests traditionally reached the island via raft launches from Frontierland.
The Liberty Square Riverboat, a replica 19th-century steam-powered paddle wheeler, offers guests a tranquil ride along the Rivers of America. The journey features narrated scenes of early American life, including a colonial settlement, a Native American village, Harper’s Mill, Fort Langhorn, Wilson’s Cave Inn, and animatronic woodland animals.
Tom Sawyer Island, inspired by Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, first opened in 1956 and has since provided guests with a hands-on exploration experience. The island features winding caves, rustic footbridges, and hidden tunnels, immersing visitors in a stylized version of frontier life. The area is set to be reimagined as “Piston Peak National Park,” a new Cars-themed attraction.
According to Disney, July 6 will be the final day for guests to experience these three attractions. All will permanently close on July 7, 2025, marking the end of an era for some of Magic Kingdom’s most storied experiences.