Well, when the new comes, the old has to go to make room for it.
We knew the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event was going to be full of some incredible new details on all the brand-new things coming to the Disney parks, but we weren’t ready for all the confirmations that are coming to Magic Kingdom — a new nighttime parade, Cars Land, and Villains Land! Now, we couldn’t be more stoked about these new things, but we just had a thought. With the announcement of all that’s new, did Disney really just confirm the permanent closure of a specific Magic Kingdom ride??
So, let’s get right to it. As we were saying, Disney confirmed that the new Cars attractions would be coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom and fans were immediately filled with thoughts that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad could be on the “chopping block.”
On August 12th, Disney announced that the Cars area would replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. Disney confirmed that these two areas would close…but what does that mean for the Liberty Square Riverboat?!
The water for the Liberty Square Riverboat attraction (the Rivers of America) extends into the area where the new Cars Land will be located. (You see where I’m going with this, right?) In order to make room for the Cars gang, Disney has to transform the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, and by “transform,” it’s starting to look like they’re going to overhaul it completely.
So what does that mean for the Liberty Square Riverboat? Will Disney move it? Will it be gone forever? At the moment, Disney’s been hush-hush about the specifics, but if that concept art is any indication, the scale of the changes needed for Cars Land makes it hard to see how the riverboat could stay in its current form.
Yes, you’re right. There’s always the “possibility” that Disney could relocate the riverboat, but where? I mean, part of its charm is tied to its scenic route through Liberty Square and Frontierland. If you take it out of that context, it might not ever be the same experience.
Disney has to keep things fresh to stay relevant, and this is probably one of those cases where we’ve got to say goodbye to an old favorite for there to be room for the new and shiny. We’re waiting for Disney’s official confirmation before we give up hope…
We won’t lie — it’ll be tough to see it sail off into the sunset for the last time, but in the meantime, visitors can ride it as many times as they want.
We’ve got our ears to the ground for all the latest details about the upcoming Cars Land project in Magic Kingdom. In the meantime, keep following AllEars for more Disney news!
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What are your thoughts on the Liberty Square Riverboat permanently closing in Magic Kingdom? Tell us all about it in the comments!
Why should they have to destroy the esthetic of frontier land when they have no shortage of land behind big thunder mountain
Disney has plenty of land to build new attractions on, why oh why do they insist on destroying popular original attractions, which were part of Walts original dream to celebrate small town historic America. Disney World is slowly losing it’s original direction.
I’m starting to dread announcements about changes to the parks. It’s no longer about ADDING to the parks, but TAKING AWAY dearly beloved attractions. I cannot imagine Tomorrowland without Rivers of America. It adds a beautiful, laid-back area perfectly in keeping with an old time Frontierland. Now Frontierland’s peace will be shattered by the sound of racing car engines. Talk about a clash of cultures! I cannot more strongly disagree about this upcoming change.
Turn it into Tiana’s place where there are beignets and gumbo on special. Louis is part of the band. Tiana and Naveen could even make appearances.
I would love to see Belle as a Friendship Boat, but that’s probably no logistically possible. Maybe it could give tours in Seven Seas Lagoon. Sunset cocktail tours anybody?
I wouldn’t mind seeing the riverboat move to Disney Springs, as long as they don’t convert it into a restaurant, to avoid competing with Paddlefish.
I think they should turn the liberty Square Steamboat into Tiana’s Restaurant, I’m sure they could find room near her ride
Say bye bye river and bye bye boat.
Really glad I took my then 18 month old granddaughter on the River Boat in March during her first visit. I couldn’t even tell you when I was on it last, many many years ago. My wife, son and daughter in law were all busy doing something else, too bad we didn’t hit the island too, really not sure if I actually ever have. I was just cool knowing that we actually did do this with the latest news.
I like the look of it, however, it’s hot and boring. Time to say Adieu to the Liberty Belle. I’m sure the economics of keeping it going through the years has been substantial. Looking forward to Cars Land! Wish it could be identical to the one in Disneyland. That land is straight out of Radiator Springs-it’s awesome
I haven’t been to Disney World since 2012 and I don’t think that I’ll be going back.
1. You have to plan everything in advance and using a smart phone. I don’t own one. Can you even go to Disney without one?
2. Tom Sawyer Island and sailing on the riverboat are two of the most relaxing things in the Magic Kingdom. The Cars area won’t be.
Why can’t they put it at the Studio?
3. They want to get rid of the Muppets?
I don’t like the changes that have been done at Disney. I can’t see myself going back.
Totally agree. I am a DVC member and each year I decide how and where to use my points. I get motion sickness easily. In the past I would go to WDW and get a 7 day park hopper pass for me and my family. Now? IF we go to WDW we get a 3_day pass, don’t park hop, eat in our room, and hang out by the pool. Next February we are going to the Vero Beach resort instead. Disney gets very little money from me these days, compared to the past.But Disney is convinced the reason revenues are down is wealthy people are taking a break from WDW and going to Europe. I’d say Disney is biting the hands that feed it and are doing more to alienate part of their loyal guests instead. What’s next to go? Its a Small World?
You can.