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yesterday

Disney Permanently Closes Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island for Largest Magic Kingdom Expansion

Removing classic waterways this week paves the way for construction to begin on Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park.

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"Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks," according to the official Disney Parks Blog.
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Disney announced that Piston Peak National Park will be the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history, continuing the stories and themes that have always run through Frontierland and Liberty Square.

Overview

  • On July 7, Disney decommissioned Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat, erasing them from park maps and the My Disney Experience app.
  • Construction crews initiated overnight clearing of the former Frontierland waterways to build Piston Peak National Park, marking Magic Kingdom’s biggest land overhaul to date.
  • Piston Peak will feature two Cars-inspired attractions—a high-speed off-road rally and a family-focused ride—set against towering trees, waterfalls, rivers and geysers.
  • Annual Passholders were blocked out over the Independence Day weekend, fueling emotional farewells, social-media petitions and mixed guest reactions.
  • This project inaugurates a broader shift to franchise-driven lands at Disney World, with upcoming Villains Land, Indiana Jones, Encanto and Monsters, Inc. areas planned in later phases.