Walt Disney World Resort is moving forward with major changes to the Magic Kingdom, and guests are beginning to notice. On July 7, 2025, just one day after the final operations of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, construction crews moved into the Frontierland area to start demolition. These changes are part of the transition to the upcoming Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Cars (2006).
Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat, have been at Magic Kingdom Park since the 1970s. On July 6, the last day of operation for these attractions, passionate protests, including angry emails and social media messages, flooded Walt Disney World Resort. Despite the outcry, Disney is pressing forward with the demolition plans.
Construction walls appeared overnight, blocking off Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America from the rest of Frontierland. The area vanished from the Magic Kingdom Park map on the My Disney Experience app, replaced by thick green foliage, a standard visual cue for ongoing construction within the park. The same technique was used after recent closures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
On Monday, Redditor u/TharinWhite posted a video showing the construction crews as they began working around Tom Sawyer Island. Some workers were even seen on small boats near the island, continuing their preparations for the transformation.
Demolition begins on Tom Sawyer Island
Demolition begins on Tom Sawyer Island
byu/TharinWhite inDisneyWorld
The demolition work is part of the larger plan to introduce Piston Peak National Park, a new section within Frontierland that will feature two attractions based on the Cars franchise. In addition to a family-friendly attraction and a thrilling rally race ride, this area will showcase the natural beauty of America’s national parks. Some of the Rivers of America’s features, including barrel bridges and a section of water, are expected to remain intact. Concept art suggests this new area will eventually connect to the upcoming Disney Villains land being developed beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an official opening date for Piston Peak National Park.
Do you have favorite memories from Tom Sawyer Island or the Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom? Disney Fanatic would love to hear them in the comments!
