Few decisions have divided Disney fans more than removing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. The only ones that were more controversial were changing Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and removing Muppet Vision 3D from Hollywood Studios.

However, less than a week after its final run, fans are still sore about the loss, especially as Disney begins to drain the river and tear down the island to make way for the new Cars and Villains Lands.
Despite the end of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, there is a way that Disney can satisfy fans and answer a question that is still lingering: What will become of the Liberty Belle, the boat that took guests around the rivers?
Fans believed that mere moments after Rivers of America closed, Disney tried to erase the attraction from Magic Kingdom. A few hours after its closure, it was removed from the guide maps and the MyDisneyExperience app.

A day later, the Liberty Belle was removed from the river and taken to an undisclosed location. Disney fans took to social media to try to figure out what Disney was doing with this beloved ship.
Given Disney’s recent history, many fans thought that Disney would simply turn the boat into “firewood.” However, some had some good ideas for honoring the boat’s history and attempting to satisfy angry Disney fans.
Some suggested that it could return as a stationary attraction at the new Piston Peak, a nod to its predecessor. Others suggested that they park it in Bay Lake near the Grand Floridian and create a restaurant. Given the hotel’s motif, it would fit.

Even more suggested that they would buy it from Disney and put it in their backyards. The worst possibility, and the one that would drive Disney fans crazy and solidify their belief that Disney only does things for money, is breaking up the ship and selling pieces to fans as a souvenir.
However, one suggestion made sense. It would respect the boat’s history and appease angry Disney fans: use the Liberty Belle in the new Villains Land.
There was an ancient rumour (we're talking like a decade+ ago) that they were considering turning it into Madame Medusa's boat for a villains land character dining restaurant. It was on an old episode of the Jim Hill podcast, though I couldn't tell you which one unfortunately.
— Nioli (@LittleMsGoblin) July 9, 2025
One person commented that Disney historian and writer Jim Hill said on one of his podcasts that the Liberty Belle could work in Villains Land as “Madame Medusa’s boat for a villains land character dining restaurant.” This suggestion would be the best of both worlds for Disney fans and historians.
We’ll just have to wait and see what Disney ultimately decides to do with the Liberty Belle, but fans are skeptical that they’ll do the right thing.
What do you think Disney should do with the Liberty Belle? Let us know in the comments.