Disney’s official statement indicates that the Rivers of America, which encompasses attractions like the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, will be permanently closed as of the end of July 6, 2025, directly after the Fourth of July festivities have concluded.
Many people find the timing significant, as Disney bids adieu to an icon of American culture exactly a day after honoring America’s freedom celebration.
The conclusion marks the end of a five-decade-long chapter that began on the Rivers of America, which has played a significant role in Frontierland and Liberty Square since the park’s inauguration. Although the river was present at the opening in 1971, it wasn’t until May 1973 that the Liberty Belle Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island were formally introduced. This steam-powered paddlewheeler has been providing guests with a scenic, narrated journey through an idyllic American frontier, featuring stage shows along the riverbanks, since its inception.
Over the years, the area has also seen the closure of several other attractions:
- The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes in 1994
- The Mike Fink Keelboats in 2001
As a movie buff and theme park enthusiast, I must share some exciting news: The dock where Mike Fink Keelboats used to reside in Liberty Square is set for demolition as part of an upcoming construction project. This dock, repurposed to serve as an extension of the Haunted Mansion queue recently, will soon be no more.
This change signifies a broader transformation sweeping across the area, erasing almost all vestiges of the original Rivers of America experience. The river that once flowed through this magical land is giving way to something new, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
Instead of putting up construction walls straight after closing, it’s planned that they will be set up within the ensuing weeks. A spokesperson from Walt Disney Imagineering assured us that these walls won’t interfere with guest routes or obstruct views of parades in the short term.
The idea is to transform Frontierland into an expansion themed around the Pixar movie Cars. Instead of replicating the actual desert landscapes of Radiator Springs and Route 66, this revamp will transport the setting to a fictional National Park nestled within the Smoky Mountains. While specifics are still scarce, preliminary sketches suggest an all-encompassing experience featuring novel attractions and dining establishments themed around the Cars universe.
Regarding the Liberty Belle, it’s not clear yet what will happen to her. Disney is currently discussing different options for the famous ship, including possible relocation, preservation, or disassembly. The final decision has not been made public.
The action aligns with a larger trend at Disney Parks, as traditional American and frontier motifs are progressively replaced by expansions based on intellectual properties. For numerous long-time visitors and Disney history enthusiasts, this closure symbolizes more than just a practical change—it’s the subtle elimination of a once-respected homage to America’s past.
With this declaration, Disney concludes Independence Day by figuratively setting sail from its own commemoration of U.S. history.
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2025-06-03 19:55