Credit: Disney FanaticDisney’s Magic Kingdom has never looked so dry.
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There’s been a whirlwind of Disney park news coming out in the last few months, with large-scale projects happening across Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. No matter where guests go, they are bound to encounter construction, with Magic Kingdom arguably having the most going on.
The park recently opened its newest location, The Beak and Barrel, a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar and lounge. Like Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The Beak and Barrel is Disney’s latest attempt at creating an inviting and immersive space for guests to relax and enjoy.
However, Magic Kingdom’s biggest overhaul is still in the works, with the park’s Rivers of America now covered up and drained. This section of the park closed permanently this July, making way for Magic Kingdom’s new Cars-themed area, Piston Peak.
Over the last few weeks, guests have seen the river’s water levels slowly drop. Now, there’s nothing left but dirt and some leftover mechanical structures previously used by the Liberty Belle Riverboat. This slice of the park looks unrecognizable, as the once free-flowing waterways now run dry.
A fan recently shared a photo of the area on Reddit, revealing that some scaffolding is now up.
A dehydrated Tom Sawyer Island
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“This makes me sad,” said one user in the comments. “I’ll so miss the riverboat rides.” “So unbelievably sad, and so unbelievably unnecessary,” said another.
It certainly makes for a fascinating look at Magic Kingdom, but we’d struggle to call it a “pretty” one. Work is expected to continue on Piston Peak for the next few years, with the expansion rumored to open in 2027.
Disney announced that Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America, along with Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat, would close permanently during its D23 event in August 2024. To say this shocked the Disney parks fandom would be an understatement, with many fans voicing their frustration, concern, and even anger regarding the decision.
Disney likely expected some blowback, as Tom Sawyer Island had served as an iconic piece of the Magic Kingdom for decades. While the man-made island was never even close to being as popular as the park’s other attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Peter Pan’s Flight, there was something special, something magical, about having a separate island to travel to.
The Rivers of America, an artificial creation by Disney, also helped give Magic Kingdom some character. The fact that guests could explore these waterways by using the Liberty Square Riverboat was just an added bonus, making the park feel alive and “lived in.”
The future of Magic Kingdom has never been more uncertain, though looking at Disney’s recent expansions, guests have a lot of reasons to be excited. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge kicked things up several notches, delivering one of Disney’s most immersive and all-encompassing theme park experiences ever.
The same can be said for Pandora – The World of Avatar, which opened just a few years prior in 2017.
Guests will simply have to stand back and watch as Disney moves forward on its ambitious theme park plans, though there’s certainly a lot to be excited about.
Are you excited for Piston Peak? Do you miss Tom Sawyer Island?