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Credit: DisneyBack in August 2024, Disney shocked fans when it announced that a new Cars (2006)-themed experience was coming to Frontierland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. But it wasn’t the Cars attractions that had people talking, it was the fact that Disney was going to demolish Tom Sawyer Island and fill in the Rivers of America to make the new experience a reality.
Disney fans around the world were immediately up in arms about Disney’s controversial decision. The demolition of Rivers of America also meant that the Liberty Square Riverboat would disappear. While Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat were not the most popular attractions at the theme park, they added a lovely tranquility that made the park such a special place.
Related: Disney Abandons Maintenance on Magic Kingdom Spot, Area Now Falling Apart
Since the announcement, fans have been begging Disney to reverse its decision to bring automobiles to the frontier (where cars didn’t exist), and some even started petitions to save the area.
Unfortunately, those pleas fell on deaf ears, and on July 6, the Liberty Square Riverboat had its final day sailing around the Rivers of America. Guests were devastated to lose the Riverboat and wanted to show their appreciation.
On the Riverboat’s final trip around the River, hundreds of guests and cast members gathered along the waterfront to wave goodbye to those onboard.
Hundreds of Guests and Cast Members lined up along the Rivers of America to say goodbye to the Liberty Belle on her final lap around Magic Kingdom. 🥹
Hundreds of Guests and Cast Members lined up along the Rivers of America to say goodbye to the Liberty Belle on her final lap around Magic Kingdom. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/3ywyQYUFqI
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) July 7, 2025
Related: Report: Disney Hated Rivers of America Even More Than Splash Mountain
It was an emotional experience that showed just how special the area was to guests.
Other Affected Attractions
As many Disney fans know, in addition to closing Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, Disney will also soon begin work on its highly anticipated Villains Land. The new land will be built behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and will feature some of Disney’s most iconic villains, bringing guests to the dark side of legendary fairy tales.
Due to all the construction happening in and behind Frontierland, the Walt Disney World Railroad will no longer be taking guests on a grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom.
Related: Confirmed: Location Revealed for Magic Kingdom’s NEW Villains Land
In another moving moment, cast members were the last ones to ride the Railroad on its final trip around the Magic Kingdom. They waved to guests as they went on their way. It was an especially emotional moment for guests who were riding on the Riverboat for its last time, seeing the Railroad take its final journey for the last time.
Cast Members wave from the Walt Disney World Railroad train tonight (video taken from the Liberty Belle).
Cast Members wave from the Walt Disney World Railroad train tonight (video taken from the Liberty Belle).#magickingdom #wdw #waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/zg2CxljeAR
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) July 7, 2025
From now until Villains Land opens, the Walt Disney World Railroad will only run between Main Street, U.S.A., and Fantasyland. Disney has not said when Villains Land will open, but it is expected to be sometime in either 2029 or 2030.
Inside the Magic will keep readers updated as progress is made on both Villains Land and Piston Peak (the name for the new Cars area). Stay tuned for more!
Are you upset that Disney is filling in the Rivers of America for the Cars area? Do you think a Cars experience belongs in the Magic Kingdom? Do you think Disney should have kept the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, or should they have come up with a different concept? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!