Disneyland Park guests have a reason to celebrate this week, as the Mark Twain Riverboat resumes its journey along the Rivers of America following a short refurbishment closure.
Tracking the Closure Timeline
Disneyland Resort first confirmed plans for this closure in early August, announcing that the Mark Twain Riverboat would shut down for refurbishment beginning September 8, 2026. The park had initially targeted September 12 as a return date, though, as is standard practice for routine maintenance projects like this one, Disney didn’t disclose specifics about the work being done.
The Riverboat Returns
The Mark Twain Riverboat resumed operations on September 15, once again carrying guests along the Rivers of America. WDW News Today shared a Facebook photo on Tuesday capturing guests enjoying a ride aboard the newly refurbished steamboat.
Guests can currently catch the Mark Twain Riverboat between 9:00 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. daily. The Frontierland attraction appears largely unchanged following its refurbishment, with no obvious updates made to either the steamboat itself or its loading dock.
Not All of Frontierland Has Reopened
Despite the riverboat’s return, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and its accompanying raft transportation remain closed to guests. That attraction entered its own refurbishment earlier this week and is currently projected to reopen September 17, though Disneyland Resort’s website still advises guests to “check back” for the latest updates, as that date could shift depending on the project’s progress.
This marks a notable contrast to Walt Disney World Resort, which permanently closed its own version of the Rivers of America — including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island — back in 2025. The original Magic Kingdom Park attractions shut down to make way for a new Cars (2006)-themed section of Frontierland called Piston Peak National Park.
Has a ride refurbishment ever impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Tell Disney Dining about your experience in the comments!
