Over a month has passed since a patriotic part of Walt Disney World Resort closed its doors, and the transformation has been dramatic so far. Let's take a look at the demolition of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom Park.
Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat, permanently closed on July 7, 2025. Since then, crews have been draining the artificial waterway. Guests noticed red and green tags on props throughout Tom Sawyer Island, denoting what should be demolished or preserved.
Walt Disney World Resort first announced plans to replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America in 2024. The new, Cars (2006)-themed area, Piston Peak National Park, will feature a thrilling rally race-style ride and a family-friendly attraction.
Preparations for construction began long before the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat welcomed their final guests. In June, crews began bulldozing hundreds of trees outside Magic Kingdom Park, prepping an equipment staging area and trailer lot for the Piston Peak National Park construction and the Disney Villains land underway “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
As of mid-July, Disney Park guests started noticing a steady decrease in the water level of the Rivers of America. And on August 13, 2025, X (formerly known as Twitter) user @WDWNT posted a video showing how low the water has gotten. The tracks for the Liberty Square Riverboat are now fully exposed above the waterline.
The Rivers of America is now drained enough for the track to be fully visible above the water.
Walt Disney World Resort has yet to announce an opening date for Piston Peak National Park or the Disney Villains land being built at the Magic Kingdom.
What do you hope to see in the Piston Peak National Park area at the Magic Kingdom? Disney Fanatic would love to hear your ideas in the comments!
