The Liberty Square Riverboat has returned to Magic Kingdom Park–for now.
On Wednesday, Disney Dining reported that the Liberty Belle failed to open at its scheduled time, 11:00 a.m. The Magic Kingdom Park ride remained closed all day, with the entrance blocked from guest access. Disney cast members told visitors that a boiler issue caused the shutdown, and they were unsure when it would reopen.
The abrupt shutdown gave Magic Kingdom Park guests a glimpse of the future. At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to bulldoze much of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to add two Cars (2006) attractions to Frontierland, marking the end of the Liberty Square Riverboat.
Disney Parks fans were conflicted. Many were excited for two new rides, but others were disappointed to lose part of Magic Kingdom Park’s original landscape. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island offer a rare glimpse at serenity among the hustle and bustle of the original Central Florida Disney park.
Luckily, Wednesday’s closure wasn’t the end for the Liberty Square Riverboat. According to the Walt Disney World Resort app, the attraction reopened on Thursday, April 23. When Disney Dining checked the My Disney Experience app, the ride had a 15-minute wait time.
Walt Disney World Resort didn’t provide a statement about the Liberty Belle’s closure, which isn’t unusual. The Disney parks rarely publicize the reasons behind temporary or unexpected attraction shutdowns.
Disney hasn’t announced an exact closing date for the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom Park, nor has it announced a grand opening date for Frontierland’s new Cars attractions. However, Disney Parks fans who want one more taste of nostalgic Frontierland and Liberty Square should plan to visit soon, as construction permits have already been filed for the area’s overhaul and the nearby Disney Villains land beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Has an attraction closure impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments!
