1
Credit: Inside the MagicIt’s gone for good.
Related: Disney World Issues Immediate Update: Major Changes for All Spring 2026 Vacations
Guests have witnessed a lot of change at Walt Disney World over the last year, though nothing really compares to what happened this summer.
The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat all closed permanently in July, marking the end of an era for both Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World Resort. The artificial island and waterway had been a part of Magic Kingdom since its very beginning, adding a special sort of charm not found anywhere else in Disney World.
The Liberty Square Riverboat provided incredible kinetic energy to Magic Kingdom, allowing guests to travel along the Rivers of America and view hidden details only visible from the boat.
This section of the park, Frontierland, has changed quite a bit in recent years. In 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened, replacing Splash Mountain. Last year, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade closed down and was replaced by a new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge.
However, nothing comes close to matching the magnitude of what’s coming next to Magic Kingdom, with Disney taking the next steps in order to bring one of its most ambitious and surprising updates to life.
Related: Work on Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers Moves Forward After Death Report
Disney World has now entirely blocked the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island from view at Magic Kingdom. Work began on preparing the area for its big overhaul a few months back, with construction walls lining the future attractions.
Now, scaffolding and scrims actually block views of the work going on. Guests won’t have a clear view of the demolition of these areas, which is probably a good thing considering how controversial the closure of these attractions has been.
Eventually, this section of Magic Kingdom will be home to a new area called Piston Peak. Inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise, Piston Peak is set to be a breath of fresh air for the park, bringing in new attractions and locations to explore.
At the top of it all is a new off-road racing ride, which is expected to be similar to Disneyland’s ever-popular Radiator Springs Racers.
That’s not all, as Magic Kingdom is also set to get a brand-new land based on classic Disney villains. Announced during Disney’s D23 event in August 2024, this new expansion pretty much came out of nowhere, but has already become one of the most highly anticipated projects to be revealed by Disney.
Piston Peak is expected to open in 2027. Disney has yet to share a timeline for Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Villains Land.
Do you miss Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America?