A lot has changed in Magic Kingdom this year. For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is in the middle of a massive update and has been closed since the beginning of the year. Construction has started on a new Villains land behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
However, the biggest change came when Disney closed Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for a new Cars expansion in Frontierland. But what happened to the Riverboat, the Liberty Belle? Did Disney demolish it? We’ve got answers!
The Liberty Belle is now in a backstage area of Magic Kingdom, where it is docked at a marina. Yep, it’s still there, and we know this, thanks to aerial photos by @bioreconstruct.
So the Liberty Belle hasn’t been destroyed. Disney has not yet stated that it has any future plans for the riverboat, though, so we don’t know what its ultimate fate will be. In the meantime, Rivers of America is being drained. Here’s an aerial look at Tom Sawyer Island (which we can imagine will be destroyed and/or converted into part of Piston Peak, the new Cars expansion.
Here’s another view of Tom Sawyer Island with its former rafts in the bottom right. We also don’t know what Disney has planned for those.
At least Disney has some plans to keep a few water features for Piston Peak, at least according to the area’s concept art.
We could get more news about construction at Magic Kingdom later this month — when the Destination d23 fan convention happens August 29th-31st in Disney World. We’ll be there to cover every minute, so stay tuned to AllEars.net for more.
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Move it to DHS so Fantasmic can have a real boat.
I bet the boat will go to the American part of Epcot.
The river boat should join the other river boat at the shopping village which is a restaurant. Having two would cut down on wait time for a table
Disney has destroyed my childhood memories, as has chosen to cater to a generation who have no idea of the genius of Walt Disney. It is a shame to see a true visionaries creation destroyed!
I totally agree. I cannot understand anyone saying that destroying that area is a good idea and then actually going through with it
The Liberty Bell should be used on Bay Lake for small party dinner/ fireworks cruises.
I know it ran on a track, but is it capable of free navigation? Move it to Disney Springs!!
Cars does not belong in Magic Kingdom. MK is fantasy Cars belongs in studios because it’s a movie. Put it with Toystory. Ugh to it being at MK