The Magic Kingdom is about to change FOREVER.
Last year, Disney shocked the theme park world by announcing that the Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America, including Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat AKA the Liberty Belle – all original elements of the park – would be closing to make way for a new Cars-based expansion of the park’s Frontierland. Despite the ire of many fans, theme park aficionados, and Disney traditionalists, the company has announced a closing date for the river and its rides.
In a June 2025 Disney Parks Blog post, Disney confirmed that the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will see their final day of operation next month, specifically on July 6th, the final day of the July 4th weekend.
The following day, July 7th, will also bring major changes to the Disneyland Railroad. In conjunction with the construction of Piston Peak National Park – the Cars area, which will feature an “awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers” – and the upcoming Villains Land, the iconic railroad is being rerouted.
Rather than circumnavigating the entire Magic Kingdom as it has done since the park opened, the Walt Disney World Railroad will instead temporarily operate in “shuttle” mode, running back and forth between Main Street U.S.A. and Fantasyland while the Frontierland Station is closed. Disney will also be reversing some of the seating on the railroad cars, so guests can still face forward heading each way (or backwards, if they so choose).
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will be controversially changing forever next month, as iconic original elements of the park will be shuttered forever. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the Magic Kingdom’s evolution.
The Ridiculously Detailed History of Disney World’s Frontierland
Are you planning to see the Rivers of America one last time? Let us know in the comments below.
Travesty! They don’t even give a full summer and fall to say goodbye! The slap us in the face by announcing this days before closure. I booked our October trip for the specific purpose of getting my kids to Tom Sawyer Island before it closes. The ONE location where imagination and exploration still are possible in WDW! Now I’m booked and screwed! The decision to rip out Rivers and TSI is bad enough, but now they screw over those who try to say goodbye. Most of us don’t live in FL! Theme looks fine, but that’s not the point. Integrate these classic elements INTO it, now slap Car IP and destroy. So awful!