Magic Kingdom is looking a whole lot different right now!
Magic Kingdom is about to get bigger
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment until 2026, the Disney Villains are currently plotting their takeover, and Tom Sawyer Island just recently closed forever. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the construction at Tom Sawyer Island, and now it looks like another abandoned attraction — the Liberty Square Riverboat — is back on the move!
We’ve got a brand new look at the current state of the Liberty Square Riverboat, along with the rafts that once transported park visitors to Tom Sawyer Island. Thanks to our friend @bioreconstruct on Twitter/X, we can see that the riverboat and rafts have been moved since the last time they were spotted. They’re currently located in a section of Magic Kingdom service canal that’s being drained.
via @bioreconstruct on Twitter/X
The last time she was spotted, she was located in a different section of the canal, so it appears the riverboat and the Tom Sawyer Island rafts are on the move. Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Belle closed permanently on July 7th, 2025. Magic Kingdom Piston Peak, a Cars-inspired land, will be replacing these attractions.
©Bioreconstruct
At some point in 2027, we will eventually see a new Cars Land called Piston Peak. The area is inspired by National Parks — primarily Rocky Mountain National Park. The name of Piston Peak stems from the fictional land, Piston Peak National Park, from the 2014 Disney film Planes: Fire & Rescue (which is part of the Cars universe).
Piston Peak ©Disney
New attractions, stores, and food and beverage spots will be part of this new land. Guests can look forward to two NEW Cars attractions! Get ready to race through the mountains on wild terrain along mountain trails as you dodge geysers and splash through mud holes on an exciting and thrilling rally race ride. Disney also shared that the second ride will be geared toward “smaller racers” and will be fun for the whole family!
@Disney
We’ll be on the lookout for more updates on the transformation of Tom Sawyer Island to Piston Peak National Park. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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The Liberty Belle is a ship that goes on a track much like the Jungle Cruise. I don’t know how well if would do on open water such as the Seven Seas Lagoon. Perhaps they could keep it on water and convert it to a fabulous restaurant like Paddle Fish.
This may have already been covered somewhere, but I hope the fact that Disney is moving them – especially the Liberty Belle – means that they will not be destroyed. The Libery Belle would make a great addition to the boats that move people between the resorts and MK, if she/the docks can be configured for that (not sure if she was free floating in her first life). I’m not overly optimistic though – Disney may just be moving the crafts knowing the outcry that would occur if there were public views of them being demolished. Even if Disney sells them – I hope they don’t just trash them.
Magic Kingdom is desperately in need of a more upscale restaurant (in addition to Cinderella’s castle). If the Liberty Belle could be converted to the entrance/waiting area for a nice seafood restaurant on the Seven Seas Lagoon, that would be totally awesome. Or, why not put a nice restaurant on the island in SS Lagoon (should do something with that!) and use the Liberty Belle for transportation from the ‘mainland’ to the restaurant? Probably expensive to build there and likely not feasible, but I personally would love it.
Ladies, Awesome idea to dock Liberty Belle re-imagined restaurant. We love going to the Cirque and then Paddlefish for dinner.
All great ideas, one can only hope that the current crop of imagineers does not seem to posses the out of the box thinking that could relaunch the Liberty belle. Looking forward to visiting her soon.