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Credit: Inside the MagicIt’s your last chance to enjoy some absolutely iconic Magic Kingdom locations.
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Change is a common occurrence at the Walt Disney World Resort, with a new ride, attraction, show, or restaurant always around the corner. While new additions are always exciting, guests have seen a number of classic locations and experiences closed at the resort over the years.
Some of the most notorious examples include the closure of Horizons at EPCOT and the retheming of Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.
However, few, if any, of Disney’s Florida plans have proven to be as divisive or controversial as what it intends to do at Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. Three experiences are now on the chopping block.
Tom Sawyer Island and More Closing in July at Magic Kingdom
Related: CONFIRMED: Disney to Close Multiple Classic Rides Soon, Some Indefinitely
The final day to enjoy a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat, hop over to Tom Sawyer Island, or take in the views of Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America will be July 6. These areas of the park will officially close the following day on July 7.
It’s a massive change for a park that has already endured several growing pains and evolutions. Fans are now wondering what the Magic Kingdom will look and feel like once everything is said and done (and in the ground). While certainly not some of Magic Kingdom’s more popular offerings, Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America have all added an undeniable amount of charm and character to Magic Kingdom.
Tom Sawyer Island is an especially interesting attraction, as it’s more of an interactive playground than a traditional theme park area. The island harkens back to a different time in Disney’s theme park history, one that was focused on interactivity and adventure. This is not to say that Disney still doesn’t provide fun and exciting experiences for its guests, because it definitely does, though Tom Sawyer Island feels noticeably different than any of the other attractions at Magic Kingdom, save for Swiss Family Treehouse.
Tom Sawyer Island likely holds a lot of nostalgia for those older Disney World fans, the ones who visited Magic Kingdom within its first ten or twenty years.
Disney first revealed its plans to update Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland in 2024 during the company’s D23 event. Alongside several other exciting announcements, including confirmation of a new Monsters Inc.-Themed land, Disney announced that a new area inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise would be coming to the Magic Kingdom.
This was quite exciting news, as Disney’s other Cars-themed land, Radiator Springs in Disneyland, has been a massive hit since it debuted in 2012. However, the location of Magic Kingdom’s new Cars Land, officially called Piston Peak, immediately sparked concern among die-hard fans, as Disney revealed that it would be taking over the park’s Rivers of America.
This artificial river has flowed through Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971. Located on the river is Tom Sawyer Island, another decades-old attraction. Guests can set sail along the river using the Liberty Square Riverboat. All three of these experiences will close to make way for Piston Peak.
Piston Peak (shown above) appears to be a fully realized new addition to the park, featuring several new attractions. The area will have one major thrill ride, an off-roading outdoor adventure similar to Radiator Springs Racers in Disneyland.
An opening timeline for Piston Peak has not yet been revealed.
Are you excited about all of the changes coming to Walt Disney World?