Saying Goodbye to Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island
Sharing Farewells and Feelings on this Upcoming Park Change
Last month, I travelled to Florida to visit my snowbirding parents (you can read my full trip report here). While I was there, my dad and I spent a day together at Magic Kingdom with one very specific goal in mind: to say our final goodbyes to Rivers of America.
We made sure to take one last trip on the Liberty Belle riverboat and explored every corner of Tom Sawyer Island. From Fort Langhorn and Smuggler’s Cove, to Harper’s Mill, and my personal favourite, the dark caves, it felt surreal saying goodbye to not just a longtime feature within the park, but to one of my most favourite spaces in all of Walt Disney World.
Frontierland and Liberty Square have always held a special place in my heart. They’re rich with history, charm, and nostalgia, and they just have that something that makes Disney feel timeless for me. Some of my fondest childhood memories with my family come from those very lands.
While Disney is no stranger to change, whether it's introducing new attractions, updating beloved classics, or retiring older experiences, the news that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island would be removed hit me harder than I expected. These spaces have meant so much to me over the years, and saying goodbye isn’t easy. Before I dive into why I believe this decision may be a misstep, let’s take a moment to look at what Disney has announced and consider some of the possible reasoning behind it. And yes, I’ve got some strong feelings to share, but they come from a place of deep love for the parks!
Providing Some Context
Back in 2023, during the D23 Expo, Disney announced their plans to transform Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island into entirely new themed spaces—one inspired by Pixar’s Cars and another by Disney’s Villains. The news of this overhaul came as a complete shock to me. I held onto a small hope that this project might be reconsidered following public response to the change, but, unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. According to Disney Tourist Blog, Walt Disney World has finally received the green light on their permit for demolition of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
Looking at the Numbers
Despite my devastation, I was curious to learn why this decision was being made. I figured maybe the numbers could offer some insight.
Thanks to Becky Gandillon on Instagram (@raisingminniemes), who shared some helpful stats, I was able to get a better sense of the possible reasoning behind this decision:
According to 2024 survey counts and attraction ratings, it’s estimated that about 13% of Magic Kingdom guests ride the Liberty Belle riverboat, while just 9% visit Tom Sawyer Island.
Compare that to Disney California Adventure’s numbers, where approximately 37% of visitors ride Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, 54% ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, and 91% ride Radiator Springs Racers.
Why the Numbers Aren’t the Whole Story
While the numbers speak volumes, I share the same fear as Becky, in that I’m not convinced that this new mini-land will measure up to Radiator Springs. Still, if it draws higher crowds, that might be all the justification Disney needs. Unfortunately, in data-driven business, “good enough” sometimes wins out over other factors.
Here’s where I want to push back. Yes, I understand why this decision might make sense on paper, but I don’t believe you can make a decision solely based on numbers. Having studied in the humanities, I’ve learned the value of working with both quantitative and qualitative data. The danger in relying too heavily on quantitative results is that you begin to overlook the less measurable, but equally essential, emotional and cultural aspects. And when those qualitative elements are ignored? You risk losing the very heart of what makes an experience meaningful.
That’s why I believe Disney is making a mistake. Yes, it’s a business, but it’s a business that has built its foundation on storytelling, immersion, and heartfelt experiences. It’s not just about efficiency or crowd counts, it’s about creating spaces that spark imagination, transport us to other worlds, and allow us to feel a little more connected to the magic. And for so many of us, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island do just that.
While the numbers make sense from a business point of view, and I can understand why Disney might be prioritizing crowd numbers, it’s important to consider what we’re losing in the process. The parks have always been more than just numbers; they’re about creating lasting memories, preserving nostalgia, and nurturing a deeper connection to the stories and spaces that we hold dear. Here are the core reasons why I believe Disney should reconsider this decision, and why the removal of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island isn’t just a loss for me personally, but for Magic Kingdom overall.
The Importance in Preserving the Past
In his book Dream Chasing, Bob Weiss recounts Marty Sklar speaking at a D23 Expo:
“He told the audience that Walt wanted us to always move forward, to stay with the times, to be respectful of history but willing to evolve over time. ‘We’re Disney,’ he said, ‘not a museum.’” (p. 139)
I really appreciate this quote, and I understand where Marty was coming from. Disney has always been about innovation and looking toward the future and I believe these things to be very important. Still, I find myself reflecting on the balance between progress and preservation.
While Disney isn’t a museum, I think there’s value in questioning how we evolve. When attractions are replaced entirely, or entire areas are reimagined from the ground up, I worry that something essential is being lost. If we remove too many reminders of the past, how do future generations come to appreciate where it all began?
Personally, I agree with the idea that evolution and respect for history should go hand-in-hand. I even think elements of Rivers of America could be thoughtfully updated. But removing the area entirely feels like a significant shift, and one that could diminish the foundation and charm that makes the Magic Kingdom so special. When older attractions are continually replaced rather than preserved or expanded upon, there’s a risk of losing the heart of what makes Disney parks unique.
Now I will say, Disney has made efforts in the past to preserve or refresh classic attractions, like the update they have done to Country Bear Jamboree (RIP “Blood on the Saddle” and Liver Lips). These efforts are appreciated, but there have also been moments that feel more dismissive. For example, Muppet*Vision 3D, the final project Jim Henson worked on, was announced to be closing this year. While Disney did mention that some effort would be made to preserve Jim’s work, we haven’t really seen anything concrete come forward yet. I hope they follow through with this, but even so, it’s the ease in which something so historically significant can be dismantled that raises concerns for me. I recognize these decisions are often tied to money and attendance, but for those of us who value the history, it’s a tough loss to see.
Beyond all this, there’s an even deeper issue with all this—Walt Disney may not have seen Walt Disney World completed, but he dreamed it up and walked the very land it now sits on. Changing this area so drastically feels like stepping away from that original vision. For me, it’s less about resisting change and more about staying rooted in the history that built the parks in the first place.
The Loss of Atmosphere and Theming
Rivers of America holds a quiet kind of magic that I don’t feel is common when it comes to theme park experiences. During my most recent trip to Magic Kingdom, my dad and I decided to take a seat on a bench in Liberty Square, and we just took it all in. This moment stands out to me because of how peaceful it was. There’s something about this area—the water, the open space, the slow chug of the Liberty Belle going past—that creates a sense of calm and grounding that I haven’t found anywhere else in the Magic Kingdom. I truly believe that the water plays a huge role in creating this kind of atmosphere. The entire vibe of Frontierland and Liberty Square feels rooted in something slower, more reflective, and deeply immersive. If Rivers of America is removed, I worry that this feeling will be lost.
Both lands have long complemented one other beautifully. There’s a seamless transition between Liberty Square and Frontierland that feels intentional, like a historical journey from colonial America into the untamed frontier. That connection, in my opinion, would be disrupted by the introduction of a Pixar IP in between the two of them. Now, I’m all for the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom, but again, in my opinion, I think they would work much better theming-wise by having them located over on the other side of Big Thunder Mountain, behind Rivers of America.
The theming of Frontierland and Liberty Square transports visitors to another time and place, and the removal of Rivers of America will compromise this. The immersive experience of these areas provide is an integral part of their charm and nostalgia. Again, by removing Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island, you lose all of this.
Overall, I think there’s a risk that this could impact the park’s overall flow and balance. Right now, there’s a thoughtful rhythm to how the lands connect. Losing a space like Rivers of America shifts that balance.
Prioritizing Thrills Over Meaningful Experiences
I also wonder if Disney is beginning to lean more into thrill attractions, and this isn’t a bad thing. In fact, Disney has executed many of them wonderfully, with Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind as recent examples. That said, I do think there’s a trend where thrill rides are being prioritized at the expense of other types of experiences. My hope is that the quieter, more immersive and historically rich attractions will continue to be valued alongside these newer, thrill-based attractions.
Underutilization of Existing Park Space
One of the biggest questions I have about this announcement has to do with park space. Walt purchased such a large amount of land in Florida, specifically so the company could continue to build and expand, unlike Disneyland, where he was limited with space. With this in mind, I can’t help but wonder why remove attractions at all then in Walt Disney World?
Couldn’t the Cars attractions be added to the other side of Big Thunder Mountain instead? I’m not entirely sure what’s located directly behind Rivers of America; I know the train tracks circle the area, but if this is all that’s there, couldn’t the train be rerouted to work around the new additions?
I think the proposed placement of the Villains area makes sense behind Haunted Mansion, so with all this space seemingly available, it’s perplexing that Disney would choose to replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island instead of expanding outward. Maybe it has something to do with cost or operational logistics, but it still raises the question why replacement is being prioritized over expansion.
Final Thoughts
As I reflect on these changes, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia for the experiences Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island has given us. They weren’t just attractions, they were spaces where time slowed down, where history was felt all around, and where guests could come together to experience something truly magical. While I understand that Disney must evolve to stay relevant and meet the demands of a changing audience, I hope that in this pursuit, we don’t lose sight of what made these spaces so special in the first place.
Magic Kingdom has always been a place where “the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy” come to meet, and that balance is what gives the park its heart. As we move forward with this change, I hope Disney finds ways to honour the history and charm of the past, while also welcoming exciting new experiences. Change is inevitable, but let’s not forget that the most magical parts of the park aren’t always the biggest thrills. They’re the quiet moments, the immersive details, and the sense of wonder that keeps us coming back time and time again. Here’s to preserving the past, while also embracing the future, for many generations to come.
I'd love to hear your thoughts:
Do you have a favourite memory from Rivers of America or Tom Sawyer Island?
How do you think Disney can go about striking the perfect balance between innovation and preservation?
Are there any changes to attractions or experiences that you’d like to see happen? Are there any you wish to remain the same?
Let me know in the comments!
As always, thank you so much for reading, friends!