2 Classic Disney World Attractions Are Closing Today – Cast Members Allocate Wristbands for Final Visitors

It’s a sad day in Magic Kingdom, and more specifically, Liberty Square and Frontierland.

While we are looking forward to the new Piston Peak land arriving in Magic Kingdom, that does mean we have to say goodbye to the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. That time has finally come — both attractions have their final day of operation today, July 6th, and it’s time to say goodbye.

July 6th marks the final day of operation for both the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. The Liberty Square Riverboat operates from 10 AM to 8 PM, and we saw people already lining up for it as soon as the park opened. The park officially opened at 9 AM, meaning these Disney fans waited for about an hour just to be among the first to ride the Riverboat on its last day of operation.

We noticed that there weren’t any Cast Members in the area until it got closer to 10 AM when the attraction opened. When the boat ride officially opened, we were informed that Cast Members had special wristbands for anyone hoping to be among the LAST on the attraction. We saw something similar happen when Muppet*Vision 3D closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

According to the operating hours listed on the My Disney Experience app, the Liberty Square Riverboat will run until 8 PM. However, if you were able to secure a special wristband from a Cast Member, you will be exclusively invited to ride the attraction at 8:30 PM. Those on the 8:30 PM boat ride will be among the final visitors to ride around the Magic Kingdom.

The Liberty Square Riverboat was a favorite among classic Disney fans. In total, it’s a 17-minute trip around the river, and you’ll encounter a rarely-seen part of Magic Kingdom. Mark Twain narrates his memories of his time on the Mississippi as you pass by an early American settlement, a Native American village, Harper’s Mill, Fort Langhorn, and Wilson’s Cave Inn.

Meanwhile, over at Tom Sawyer Island, Cast Members confirmed that there would not be any special events happening in the evening. Tom Sawyer Island is open today, July 6th, from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Tom Sawyer Island is pretty special — the only way to get to this spot is to travel by log raft! Here, you are transported to a rustic hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. The island is full of dirt paths, trees, caverns, passages, and even a frontier fort. It was a quiet, shady place to escape the crowds, and it will be missed!

So, what’s replacing the iconic Riverboat and Island in Magic Kingdom? SO MANY THINGS. During the 2024 D23 Parks and Experience Panel, Disney announced the expansion of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom to include a new Cars-themed area. To make room for this new land, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into “vast and rugged terrains for a rally race.”

The name of this new area will be Piston Peak, and it will be loosely based on Rocky Mountain National Park. The new area will be home to two rides: one will be a rally race-type attraction, while the other will be a family ride. We don’t have a confirmed opening timeline for this new area, but we will keep you updated on every detail as they come!

We’ll be in the park today to bring you the latest updates from the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. If you’re in the parks today, you’ll want to expect some longer lines than usual at both of these attractions.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

 

Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney World news and beyond!

5 Announcements Disney Revealed About Piston Peak in Magic Kingdom

Are you sad to see these rides go? Tell us in the comments!

Post a Comment