Disney World Guests Blocked From Magic Kingdom Area Amid Sudden Closure

In recent weeks, Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park has seen unexpected and unannounced closures impact a popular area, leaving guests surprised and disappointed. Visitors hoping to experience Frontierland’s Tom Sawyer Island in its entirety may find certain parts inaccessible as construction in the area ramps up in preparation for significant changes on the horizon.

Disney fans will remember August’s D23 Expo, where Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed plans to introduce two all-new Cars (2006) attractions to Frontierland, marking a major shift in Magic Kingdom Park’s classic layout. The upcoming attractions will replace portions of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. The reimagined space will join the forthcoming Disney Villains land, an expansive addition beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, in creating the largest-ever Magic Kingdom Park expansion.

Tom Sawyer Island, typically a peaceful retreat where Disney guests can cross by raft to explore caves, bridges, and winding passageways, has seen significant interruptions. Reddit user u/Hendrixlaserbean recently shared firsthand experience of arriving only to find iconic areas, such as the barrel bridge, roped off without prior notice.

Good luck trying to enjoy the last couple months Tom Sawyer island is open when half the areas are closed off

Good luck trying to enjoy the last couple months Tom Sawyer island is open when half the areas are closed off
byu/HendrixsLaserbean inWaltDisneyWorld

They weren’t alone.

“I was there last week when the barrel bridge was closed,” Reddit user u/darthjoey91 commented. “Pretty sure that’s just permanently closed at this point.” Another user, u/Round_Warthog1990, reported similar closures, adding, “On Tuesday, we were the first raft over, and the bridge and caves were closed… The caves opened about an hour later, but it seems like they’re open only sometimes.”

Despite these changes, some Disney Park guests have managed to explore the island without issue, finding their favorite spots open and accessible. Redditor u/delsoldeflorida shared, “I was just there a few weeks ago, and everything was open at that time.” However, with construction set for 2025 and sporadic area closures, the availability of Tom Sawyer Island’s attractions is increasingly unpredictable.

As work progresses, Walt Disney World Resort guests looking to visit Tom Sawyer Island should know that access to certain areas may vary daily. Disney cast members near the Tom Sawyer Island rafts can provide up-to-date information on closures. However, it’s best to expect intermittent access until permanent changes take shape next year.

Are you looking forward to the changes coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments.