Something changed overnight at Magic Kingdom—something big. And unless you were paying very close attention, you might not have even noticed.
The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat have been wiped off the digital map, both literally and figuratively. No long goodbyes. No dramatic ceremony. Just a quiet exit from stage left after decades of service.
The Quiet Goodbye
These attractions weren’t just filler—they were part of Magic Kingdom’s original fabric. Rivers of America opened with the park in 1971. For generations, it offered a slower, scenic break from the hustle of Tomorrowland or the chaos of Fantasyland. Guests floated along the water, caught glimpses of playful animatronic wildlife, and explored the old-school rope bridges and caves of Tom Sawyer Island. It was classic Americana, pure and simple.
Over Fourth of July weekend, some lucky guests unknowingly took their final rides. A few fans were handed wristbands for Liberty Belle’s final journey, but otherwise, the sendoff was subdued. Within hours, everything vanished from Disney’s official app. The familiar waterway? Gone. The rafts? Nowhere to be found. Even Frontierland looks noticeably incomplete without them.
Fans React to the Erasure
It wasn’t just any weekend. The closure coincided with Independence Day—a move that rubbed many fans the wrong way. Themed around riverboats and frontier adventures, these attractions were steeped in Americana, making July 4 a fitting time for celebration. Instead, they disappeared.
To make matters worse, Annual Passholders—many of whom would’ve shown up to say goodbye—were blocked out during that final weekend. That decision felt like salt in the wound for longtime fans. And now that it’s all been digitally scrubbed, some say it feels like Disney wants us to forget it ever existed.
What’s Coming Next?
This isn’t a case of “closure with no plan.” Disney has already announced that the space will be transformed into Piston Peak—a new land inspired by Pixar’s Planes: Fire & Rescue. Themed after America’s national parks, Piston Peak will feature two new rides: a thrilling off-road-style attraction and a more laid-back family ride.
Gone are the rope bridges and river rafts. In their place? Repurposed ranger stations and lodge-inspired facades designed for Pixar-loving families.
The End of the Old West
Whether you’re mourning the loss or ready for the next chapter, one thing’s for sure: Disney isn’t tiptoeing into the future—they’re racing into it. And just like that, an entire section of the park is gone. Off the map. As if it never existed.
