More permanent closures are looming in Disney World.
The endangered Tom Sawyer Island
So far, the first closure phase of DinoLand U.S.A., has already taken place in January of this year. In March, It’s Tough to Be Bug! will close its doors to be re-themed to a Zootopia show opening this Winter. Starting in May and going into June, Muppets Courtyard will undergo a phased permanent closure.
While a closing date has yet to be announced, multiple attractions in Magic Kingdom will have to close to make way for the new Cars expansion.
In August of 2024, at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, it was revealed that a new Cars area would be coming to Magic Kingdom. Many assumed that this new area would lie “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain,” along with the newly announced Villains Land. Well, one day later, Disney revealed that Cars would actually be taking over part of Frontierland, and the concept art left people shocked.
©Disney
In order to accommodate this new expansion, which will include two rides, multiple parts of Frontierland will be permanently closed. Disney has yet to announce when these closures will start, but they did say that construction on the new project will begin in 2025. Here is everything that is expected to close this year to accommodate Cars in Frontierland.
Frontierland
The Rivers of America
Based on the concept art, parts if not all of The Rivers of America will be drained and paved over, adding more land for the expansion. While taking away the water will drastically change the look of Frontierland as a whole, it does make the most sense. It would be a logistical and crowd nightmare trying to transport people to a new area of the park that is going to be popular when it first opens.
Rivers of America
The Liberty Square Riverboat
The Liberty Square Riverboat is a staple of both Liberty Square and Frontierland and is absolutely stunning at night when it is all lit up. Unfortunately, the boat sails in the Rivers of America, and since the water is being drained, there will be nowhere for the boat to sail, which means it will permanently close.
Liberty Square Riverboat
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts
It is not only the riverboat that sails in the rivers of America, but the Tom Sawyer Island rafts do, too. These rafts are used to transport people back and forth from the mainland of Frontierland all the way to Tom Sawyer Island. Since the river is being paved over, those wanting to visit the Cars expansion will simply be able to walk rather than take a raft over.
Tom Sawyer Island raft
Filling in the Rivers of America and closing the raft transportation opens up more walking paths between Liberty Square and Frontierland, as the concept art shows a potential walkway near Haunted Mansion over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island is a hidden gem of the Magic Kingdom. There are hidden caves, fun bridges, a fort, and scenic views. The entire island will close to make way for the new expansion, and as we mentioned, since the water is being drained and paved over, there will be more land in addition to the land that is currently allocated to Tom Sawyer Island.
Tom Sawyer Island
Aunt Polly’s
Now we know that Aunt Polly’s has not been open in years, but this quick service location will officially close for good when Tom Sawyer Island closes. When it was in operation full-time or seasonally, it was a great place to grab a bite to eat and escape the crowds in the Magic Kingdom. Until Tom Sawyer Island officially closes, you can grab a Coke out of the vending machine near Aunt Polly’s for about $8.
Aunt Polly’s seating area
While these looming permanent closures can be sad, there is so much to look forward to in the future! To stay up to date on all the latest Disney news, stay tuned with us here at the Disney Food Blog!
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I still can’t believe that Disney is going to destroy the Rivers of America attraction, and Tom Sawyer’s Island, rather than expand MK on the acreage Disney already owns. This is 100% in keeping with the complete void of artistic vision Iger and other Disney Execs possess. Shameful. That area of MK really does “harken back to days of old.” Many children today are not allowed to read Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn in school because they were written in a different time and use politically incorrect language. There is no emotional connection to the raft ride to the island or Tom Sawyer’s Island itself. Same too with Stories from Uncle Remus and we saw how that ended. Sad. Very sad. Comedy wasn’t the only thing ruined by political correctness.
It would be nice to move cars land somewhere else period. So that they can keep the setting of the Haunted Mansion the lower river and island could stay thus still allowing the rafts but we would loose the Mark Twain because of to small of a river path. With a little work this would allow a path to Villians world a decent compromise. But Disney seems to know what we want and unfortunately don’t care what we really want.
Again, this is one of the WORST decisions ever made by WDW! Cars will be an obsolete IP in a few years and then something else will be built to take its place – a total shame to get rid of something as timeless as the American frontier vibe is – it was a common reference point across generations. And the excuse about crowd control is not valid – look at the bottlenecks throughout the parks now – that doesn’t seem to bother them. And maybe letting fewer people in at a time would also help – looks like a cattle car on crowded days and about as pleasant! They should have just simply reworked the Speedway into a Cars themes ride. Someone should replace these waful decisionmakers!
What Cars land will do to the Magic Kingdom is a travesty. I don’t know how anyone can think this is a good idea. The most beautiful part of the Kingdom and they are doing away with it and putting in concrete…is Iger deliberately trying to kill the company? I was planning a dream trip to WDW that would take approximately a month but if they do away with Rivers of America – no thank you. It is not the Walt Disney World I fell in love with.
“The Liberty Square Riverboat is a staple of both Liberty Square and Frontierland and is absolutely stunning at night when it is all lit up. Unfortunately, the boat sails in the Rivers of America, and since the water is being drained, there will be nowhere for the boat to sail, which means it will permanently close.”
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I sincerely hope they will move the Liberty Square Riverboat to a new location. There’s a giant yacht moored behind the Grand Floridian. I’ve never seen it used. Perhaps the Riverboat could berth there, and be used for ticketed events out on Seven Seas Lagoon. Or, berth it at Ft. Wilderness and use it on Bay Lake.
With 47 square miles and only about 8% developed it seems much better to create a new gate and add the new ideas there. As a kid I had great joy waiting to ride the boat to Tom Sawyers Island and once arrived it was awesome to explore while pretending, I was the first one there and enjoying all the on-foot fun one could have. I’m not a fan of this approach.
Poor Walt, my understanding is that Frontier Land was his baby.
I am interested to see how they will continue with the Frontierland theming, for Cars???? I just hope we do not loose the feeling of the lands.
Could you please explain this quote from your article:
“ It would be a logistical and crowd nightmare trying to transport people to a new area of the park that is going to be popular when it first opens.”
Hi Greg. That just means that with the new area being built, it is easier for Walt Disney World to turn The Rivers of America into a way to get into the new land that doesn’t require everyone to walk around the river and clog up other areas of the park trying to get there.
Destroying a legacy attraction and in turn ruining the theming of Frontier Land for more IP is atrocious. Iger will not rest till all of Walt Disney World has become Bob Iger World. He is unquestionably the worst thing that has ever happened to our beloved House of Mouse.
Thanks to Iger, I think less and less about WDW as time goes on
I’m sorry, but I am now convinced that Disney has lost their minds! Getting rid of the beautiful water feature absolutely diminishes the beauty of Magic Kingdom! They already turned the other side of MK into cement city, and now this. I agree with other posts; they should have used their available to create a new land/gate! Further, Cars land will quickly lose popularity. We are losing a great deal for what, 2 new mediocre rides and MORE shops and food stands? Disney did not think this thru!
**Correction…they should use the available ‘land’…
The collective public has no long term memory and will continue to bring Disney Theme parks all the money they can scrape together. Soon, it will be heard a parent will say, “There used to be a steam powered paddle wheel boat there”, and the response will be “What’s a steam powered boat?” History is like a moving cloud on a light breeze.
My fiancé went to Disney World last month (it was his first trip ever, and my first time in 9 years). Two moments that really balanced out the trip was walking right in to see Muppet Vision 3D one day and then the Liberty Square Riverboat the next day. Both feel like a very appreciated break from the hustle and bustle of waiting in long lines and strategizing how tackle the whole day. I could tell while being in each moment that the day wouldn’t have been as enjoyable without those moments of calm and ease those attractions bring. My fear is that removing these laid back moments and short line attractions will create more disgruntled guests waiting in more long lines for shorter duration attractions. That alone will ruin the Disney magic and experience. I feel bad for the cast members who will now have to deal with more disgruntled guests as a result.
Thomas Welsh, Liberty Belle is not capable of open water travel. It has an extremely shallow draft, meaning that the bottom of the boat is basically what you stand on when you are on the bottom deck. Plus it travels on a rail under the water. Rivers of America is very shallow and the lagoon is about 20 feet deep. You don’t steer Liberty either, just like the Jungle Cruise boats. Can they move it? Yes but it will not be able to be used for open water activities.
I am against this decision and wish they would just add a new themed QS restaurant that’s much bigger with indoor/outdoor seating and some character meet and greets and a bridge in place of the rafts. However … did you say that it was EIGHT DOLLARS FOR A COKE ??? ?
The last time we were there we saw a couple of unplugged rusty old Coke machines that were broken. It’s so sad how Disney let’s things go down hill on purpose.
Terrible idea…..Cars should have been added to Hollywood Studios instead of destroying Frontierland. The Animation Courtyard is wasted space so they could put Cars there and it would be right by TSL.
This is also sad. I am currently planning a disney trip. However i’m not sure if walt disney world will be that trip. I haven’t been to Walt disney world in nearly a decade. I.
Will never forget the first time I saw cinderella castle. I will Always remember the first character.I’ve ever met in Walt Disney world. Was the beast From beauty and the Cast member.
Who was His attendant asked me if my name really wasBelle. Because I had a t shirt on it was mickey mouse but I put my nickname on the shirt. I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens. During my Rehabilitation after spinal surgery, I thought during the therapy.
Of walking down main street in either disneyland or walt disney world.
Villains land is going to have a large water feature per concept art.
Very much against Cars in Magic Kingdom. It belongs in Hollywood Studios. Also against them doing away with the Rivers of America and the boat ride. Seems like they could find a repurpose for Tom Sawyer Island. Sadly, Disney execs don’t seem to care about the feelings of loyal, longtime guests or the damage they’re doing to beloved parks and Walt’s vision. Mostly, I’m disappointed at how many years this construction will take and its effect on our Disney experience, especially as they’re taking so many rides away yet charging us more to buy a ticket!
Walt’s vision was consistent change. They are taking out one ride and one experience that not many people use anymore. I’d rather have the two new rides and other experiences that will eat up crowds. On top of that they are adding a whole new land. The only thing Walt would be unhappy about is not being able to smoke in the parks.
People like to say that Walt was all about change and while that may be true he was also very big on Nostalgia. He understood how it pulled on peoples heartstrings and how that was a very important key to his success and vision. So no, it is not always a good idea to change everything all the time. They are selling excitement but they are also selling a feeling.