For Disney fans and park-goers, times are most definitely changing
This Classic Magic Kingdom Attraction Is Set to Close for Good in July
Published on Jun. 06, 2025
It’s the end of yet another era. First, Disney World announced that MuppetVision 3D would be permanently closing this summer, and now more classic Disney World attractions are shutting down for good. It’s hard to imagine the park without its most iconic rides and attractions!
Magic Kingdom will always be the Happiest Place on Earth, but these big changes mean the park will never be the same. For lifelong Disney fans and park-goers, times are most definitely changing.
Keep reading to find out which attractions are closing forever, and which new land is heading to Disney World in the near future.
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Which attractions are closing?
Three of the most legendary Disney World attractions, all of which are part of Frontierland, are closing for good in July—the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat. To visit Tom Sawyer Island, park-goers have to take a log raft across the Rivers of America, and when they arrive, they can explore a trail inspired by the works of Mark Twain. Or, guests can take a cruise along the river aboard the steam-powered Liberty Square Riverboat. These attractions have been hallmarks of Frontierland for decades—the Liberty Square Riverboat is as old as the park itself—and Disney fans are undeniably sad to see them go.
Why are these attractions closing?
Sometimes good things must come to an end to make room for new beginnings, and that’s precisely why the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat are closing. The attractions will be replaced by a new land called Piston Peak National Park, inspired by the Cars franchise, which will still embody the adventuring spirit of Frontierland.
Piston Peak National Park is a fictional park created by Disney World’s Imagineers, and it’s also part of the largest expansion to ever take place in the Magic Kingdom. It will encapsulate all the beauty of the wilderness, including sky-high trees, snowy mountain peaks, waterfalls, rivers and even geysers. The area is inspired by the Rocky Mountains, and it pays homage to the American frontier.
“Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more, all set within the Disney and Pixar ‘Cars’ universe,” the Disney Parks Blog posted. “To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called ‘Parkitecture,’ which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.”
When are the changes happening?
If you want to enjoy the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat one last time, you’ll need to act fast. The beloved attractions are closing for good beginning July 7, 2025. But don’t worry, not everything in Frontierland is changing. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is temporarily closed for refurbishment, is here to stay and will reopen to the public as soon as renovations are complete.
What are Disney fans saying?
Some Disney fans are excited about the changes, even if saying goodbye to Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America and the Liberty Square Riverboat is hard. “I’m glad it seems they’re keeping a lot of the landscaping from Rivers of America, and just utilizing the space in a way that doesn’t impact the overall vibe of the land,” said one Reddit user.
But it’s not surprising that not everyone is thrilled with the pending transformation of Frontierland. “Man I going to miss Tom Sawyer Island,” wrote one Disney fan on Reddit. “It was just fun to explore and nice to have a quiet spot.”
“The more I think about [it] the more this feels like the antithesis of the concept of Frontierland,” said another Reddit user. “A National Park, as great of an idea [as] it is (if not the greatest idea), is not the frontier. They are highly curated experiences with established, relatively safe trails and some even have a bus network.”
As with any big changes to a beloved institution like Magic Kingdom, people are bound to have big feelings, and many may need to experience the Piston Peak National Park area before they can fully embrace it. But for now, it’s time to say goodbye to these three classic Disney attractions that are closing for good.
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Sources:
- Disney Parks Blog: “Piston Peak National Park Builds on the Story of Frontierland”
- Reddit: “Megathread: Closure of Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island”
