End of an Era: Liberty Square Riverboat Departs with Heartfelt Send-Off
There are some corners of Walt Disney World that feel like they’ve always been there—quiet pieces of magic that don’t shout for your attention but mean the world to longtime fans. One of those places, the Liberty Square Riverboat, made its final journey around Magic Kingdom Park this week, and it went out in true Disney fashion: full of heart, nostalgia, and one last bittersweet goodbye.
Related: RIP Liberty Square: Decades-Old Magic Kingdom Attraction Immediately Closed
The closure of the Liberty Square Riverboat isn’t just about one attraction shutting down. It marks the end of a much larger era in Frontierland, where big changes are coming—and not everyone is on board.
Back in August 2024, Disney officially confirmed that a new Cars (2006)-themed experience would take over this area of Magic Kingdom. While fans had been buzzing about the possibility of Pixar characters rolling into the park, the real shock came when Disney announced that Tom Sawyer Island would be demolished and the Rivers of America filled in to make way for this new land.
That also meant the Liberty Square Riverboat would be permanently retired.
Related: Disney Showed Its True Colors With the Way It Ended Rivers of America
On July 6, the Liberty Belle took her last lap around the Rivers of America. What made the moment unforgettable wasn’t just the final voyage—it was the crowd. Hundreds of guests and cast members lined the waterfront to wave goodbye to the iconic paddle wheel boat as it sailed for the final time.
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: Here’s What’s Replacing a Classic Disney World Area
Though the Liberty Square Riverboat wasn’t one of the park’s headline attractions, it brought a quiet charm to Liberty Square and Frontierland. Guests often found it a peaceful escape from the chaos of thrill rides and character meet-and-greets. With the surrounding area set to transform into a high-energy Cars land, many fans are mourning the loss of that tranquility.
As one would expect, Disney’s decision stirred a strong reaction. Fans across the globe expressed their disappointment and began petitioning to save the riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island.
Related: Disney World Land Prematurely Abandoned Ahead of Demolition Date
Their arguments included not only the historical and immersive value of the attractions, but also the strange incongruity of adding motor vehicles to a land themed around the American frontier—long before cars ever existed.
Unfortunately for those fans, Disney did not reverse its decision. Despite the pushback, the demolition is moving ahead, and the Riverboat is now officially part of the past.
In another moving moment, cast members were seen waving from the Walt Disney World Railroad—also making its final full-circle journey before going partially offline for construction. Guests onboard the Liberty Belle witnessed the last ride of the Railroad as it passed by, marking the end of yet another classic Magic Kingdom experience.
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
For the foreseeable future, the Railroad will only operate between Main Street, U.S.A., and Fantasyland. The plan is for the Railroad to completely reopen when the new Villains Land opens.
Beyond the Cars land (confirmed to be called Piston Peak), Disney is also working on the long-awaited Villains Land, which will be built behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The project is expected to debut in either 2029 or 2030 and will feature iconic Disney villains in what many believe could become one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular expansions.
As the transformation of Frontierland continues, it’s clear that the park is undergoing one of its most dramatic reshuffles in decades. While fans are excited about the new attractions on the horizon, there’s still a deep sense of loss as Magic Kingdom says goodbye to the slower, storybook-style attractions that made it feel so timeless.
Disney Dining will continue following updates on both Villains Land and Piston Peak as construction progresses.
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? Should Disney have kept the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island—or come up with a different concept entirely? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
