Guests at Magic Kingdom Park were caught off guard on Wednesday, April 23, when the Liberty Square Riverboat entrance was unexpectedly blocked off for the day. No pre-announced refurbishment or maintenance was scheduled for the ride, leaving some Disney Park visitors disappointed that they couldn’t experience the attraction before its eventual transformation in the coming years.
The Liberty Square Riverboat, a staple at Magic Kingdom since 1973, will soon close for good as part of the ongoing changes to the original Central Florida Disney park. In the coming years, the Liberty Belle, Tom Sawyer Island, and Rivers of America will be bulldozed to make room for two new Cars (2006) attractions in Frontierland. Walt Disney Imagineering revealed these changes at D23 Expo 2024, and the announcement was met with mixed reactions from Disney Parks fans.
While some were excited about the new additions, which also include a Disney Villains land beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, others were saddened by the loss of longstanding Disney experiences like the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. With early construction now underway, the familiar natural landscapes of Frontierland and Liberty Square are poised to change forever, signaling the end of an era at Magic Kingdom Park.
In the midst of these sweeping changes, the Liberty Square Riverboat abruptly closed for the day on April 23. According to Disney cast members who spoke with WDWNT, the shutdown was due to a boiler issue. The attraction remains listed as “temporarily closed” on the My Disney Experience app, and it’s unclear whether it will open as scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 24.
Although the closure was unexpected, it’s unlikely that this is the true end for the Liberty Belle. Walt Disney World Resort typically provides advanced notice before permanent closures are made, as it has in recent months with attractions like TriceraTop Spin and Muppet*Vision 3D.
Have you ridden the Liberty Square Riverboat? Share your favorite memories with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
Yes I have ridden the Libert Belle Steamboat before during my earlier time since the late 70’s. It’s a true piece of americana & shame it’s gonna be history soon! Everyone who’s ridden it in their time besides myself will miss it & it’s meets with the WDW Railroad sharing whistle blows. Even I liked it most. So bye-bye to Mark Twain’s famed story of this river journey through the years! You gonna love it I guar-awn-tee as the late Justin Wilson would say while cookin’ his southern-style foods. Best thing to come since your grandma’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes & homemade biscuits combined!