Fan-favorite Americana elements are literally draining from the Magic Kingdom as crews lower the water levels in the Rivers of America.
On July 7, 2025, Walt Disney World Resort permanently closed Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America. Since then, crews have been steadily draining the waterway, and construction walls have cordoned off much of the Frontierland area. Walt Disney Imagineers were spotted tagging props on Tom Sawyer Island for destruction or archival preservation.
Walt Disney World Resort originally announced plans for the transformation of Frontierland in 2024, with a Cars (2006)-themed area set to replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. This new area, Piston Peak National Park, will feature a rally race-style thrill ride and a family-friendly attraction. It will be inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks and include existing water features and barrel bridges.
Disney began preparing for the construction of Piston Peak National Park long before Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America closed. In June, crews bulldozed trees and cleared space backstage for a trailer lot and equipment staging area. This will serve as a home base for the Cars construction and the development of a Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
For many Disney Parks fans, however, the most noticeable change has been the reduction in water levels in the Rivers of America. The once-iconic waterway, which had long served as a tranquil backdrop to the Liberty Square Riverboat, is now largely drained, exposing the once-submerged tracks.
The sight of the Liberty Square Riverboat’s tracks rising above the low water is a jarring visual for many Disney Park guests. On August 13, 2025, @WDWNT shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the current state of the Rivers of America. The footage revealed that the water has receded enough to fully expose the tracks that guide the Liberty Square Riverboat.
The Rivers of America is now drained enough for the track to be fully visible above the water.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced grand opening dates for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom.
Have you visited Magic Kingdom Park during the Frontierland construction? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
Put simply, this is a TRAVESTY!!!
100% yes! I’m not going all Disney Adult when I say gone will be an iconic section of the Magic Kingdom. Every area blends into each other, but how will Cars blend with the Haunted Mansion? Or the restaurants and shops left behind. With as much property Disney owns, I don’t understand why they chose to push into that area of the park instead of buulding on to.
They removed boring things to upgrade the park. Progress
I agree. This is a tragedy and let they get rid of the hall of present is and the country bears
I think it would be worse. That’s why I haven’t been going to Disney in the last few years. Fire bob iger
Disgraceful and disheartening. Disney is abandoning their history, beginnings and heart. Washing away history is reprehensible. VERY sad
How long before they remove The American Experience at Epcot? Is this yet another liberal attempt at tolerance? Removing things that may be offensive to some ethnic groups or minorities?
It is white supremacy and racist. Our ancestors were horrible people who killed natives and enslaved Africans. Sorry if that makes you feel bad. We live on stolen land.
They stole it from the animals. So I’m not sorry.
Hey Doc Z…..Since we live on stolen land where are you going to be moving to so you can return your home and land to whoever your ancestors stole it from? Since you brought it up, please do tell what are YOU planning on doing to make it right?
You need help.
I AGREE 💯! We DON’T NEED cars rides in Magic Kingdom! That should be in The Studios! Or. In a totally new addition to MK off of Big Thunder and move villains land around. I used to go to Magic Kingdom EVERY trip, but haven’t gone the last 2 and may not go back with the destruction of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer island and the peacefulness within MK. Disney is erasing Walt Disney’s beginning and taking every piece of Americana with it! Cars is an old franchise and shouldn’t replace landmarks!
Y’all need to calm your jets. Disney has been transforming its parks since they opened. At one time, Frontierland looked like a Dude Ranch, including, I think it was, donkey or pony rides. My family loved those and survived their disappearance.
Some people are always disappointed when change occurs, others are thrilled.
I can basically guarantee you, the changes are not due to “woke-ism” or anti-white supremacy (which we should embrace, since WS is having a sick resurgence, I admit) but because of some silly surveys and research that says these are popular (future) changes.
Finally a good change at MK, bout time they got rid of the fake riverboat and bring in something that brings good attention
I agree. I have been to MK countless times and rode the boat one time and it was so Iot because it barely moved. The area is going to get much more use. Most people walk past the boat & island.