The Liberty Square Riverboat tracks are the latest victims of the demolition of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom Park. Here’s what’s changed as of Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Visible changes started in early July, when the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently. For the first time in years, the Rivers of America was drained, leaving behind a dry riverbed. By late August, construction equipment had replaced the lush water that Walt Disney World Resort guests were accustomed to.
Ya know…the drained Rivers of America does give an added creep factor to the Haunted Mansion 👻
On August 28, 2025, WDWNT confirmed that the first pieces of the Liberty Square Riverboat tracks had been removed. As the dismantling continues, what was once a peaceful area surrounded by lush greenery is now covered with heavy construction equipment and building materials.
These closures and changes are part of a larger project to reimagine the Frontierland area. Walt Disney Imagineers are working to bring Piston Peak National Park, inspired by the national parks of the U.S., to Frontierland. This Cars (2006)-themed area will include a thrilling rally race ride, a family-friendly attraction, and stunning landscapes that will integrate with some existing parts of the Rivers of America.
Despite the changes around the Rivers of America, the Liberty Square Riverboat has not been destroyed, though its future is uncertain. The boat was recently relocated to a backstage dock behind Magic Kingdom Park, but it remains intact, sparking rumors about whether it will be preserved, reimagined, or possibly repurposed. Walt Disney World Resort has not yet commented on the boat’s future, but aerial images suggest that the boat has not been dismantled.
Walt Disney World Resort has not given a specific grand opening date for the Piston Peak National Park area at the Magic Kingdom.
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