Latest news with #LibertySquareRiverboat
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disney unveils spectacular plans... including a brand new US theme park
Disney fans will be overjoyed to learn that Walt Disney World may be introducing a whole new kingdom. A fifth sprawling theme park is reportedly in the works, according to a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The plans detail a reserved development capacity for a 'major theme park' and two 'minor theme parks' to be built over the next few decades. The new park at the Orlando resort could be expansive - mirroring the scale of other popular parks such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The documents allotted 400 to 500 acres for the new park which would be Disney's first all-new gate in over 25 years. It is thought that the two smaller parks will be water parks, spanning an estimated 147 acres each. Disney fans have been eager for a new attraction since the last grand opening was Animal Kingdom way back in 1998. Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed a fifth Florida theme park - but has reached out for comment. In a map of the proposal, shared in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District report, land has been earmarked for various uses. Among them was commercial, conservation, entertainment and hotels. The plan also revealed that the park has requested permission to build underground communication lines and facilities - known to be used by cast members to move around the parks. This latest venture comes after Disney World fans threatened to boycott the theme park after it unveiled the first major details on its upcoming Cars land. The Happiest Place on Earth announced last year that it would be getting rid of Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland to make way for a new Lightning McQueen-themed area. It has since revealed when it will officially be shut down - and the news has left hoards of Disney fans across the globe outraged. Tom Sawyer Island, as well as the Liberty Square Riverboat ride, will have its final day of operation on July 6, 2025. That means guests only have a little more than a month left to enjoy the serene island inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. Immediately, Disney park-goers took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their heartbreak over the announcement, and some even admitted that they no longer wanted to visit the park. 'Canceling my trip in October and sadly, will never visit that park again,' one user announced. 'This is an abomination and a real disservice to all those who booked summer trips hoping to enjoy all this one more time,' added another. 'Talk about timing. Thankful we enjoyed it recently.' 'Never going back,' someone else wrote. 'I have a lot of happy memories there, and I'll keep them.' 'Huge mistake. Huge,' a fourth tweet read, while a fifth said, 'Largest downgrade.'
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Walt Disney World closing some of its original attractions for good
Attractions will permanently close in just a few weeks to make way for two new lands at the Florida theme park Walt Disney World in Florida is set to bid farewell to some of its original attractions in a matter of weeks, making room for two brand new lands, one of which is inspired by a beloved Pixar children's film series. The Liberty Square Riverboat, the Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island will cease operations on July 7 to pave the way for a Cars-themed land. This closure signifies the end of an era for some of Magic Kingdom's original attractions, many of which have been a part of the park since its inauguration in 1971. The Liberty Square Riverboat has long provided guests with a picturesque journey around the Rivers of America aboard the Liberty Belle, while Tom Sawyer Island has offered an interactive, walk-through frontier adventure inspired by Mark Twain's cherished tales. Disney's announcement verifies that this area will soon undergo a complete transformation as part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom's history, reports the Mirror US. A new Cars-themed land named Piston Peak will take over the existing waterways and island, introducing a high-energy off-road rally experience featuring Lightning McQueen and friends at the heart of Frontierland. The park has hinted that the attraction will debut a brand-new ride system designed to emulate the sensation of navigating rugged terrain, hills, and rocky paths - a significant departure from the smooth, water-based attractions currently occupying the space. Also in the pipeline is a new area dedicated to Disney's infamous villains, celebrating all things 'bad guys', set to open behind Piston Peak. The launch dates for these exciting additions to the Magic Kingdom are yet to be announced, but it's widely believed that the Cars-themed experience will be the first to welcome visitors. Disney enthusiasts have a few weeks left to soak up the nostalgic charm of the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island before they permanently shut down on 6 July. Work on the Cars project is set to commence shortly after, with significant site work already taking place backstage.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Disney set to close Tom Sawyer Island and the famed Riverboat to make way for new attractions
Disney World will close Tom Sawyer Island and its famed Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for new attractions. Millions of guests visit the Orlando resort a year, with the Magic Kingdom the most popular of its four parks. Located in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island allows guests to experience a 'secret rustic hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain,' according to the resort's website. Tom Sawyer Island has been a staple at Disney World, first opening in 1973, according to D23, the official Disney fan club. To reach the attraction, visitors glide through the Rivers of America on a log raft. But from July 7, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will permanently close, for Disney to build Piston Peak National Park, which it called 'the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom.' To make way for the Cars -themed expansion, Disney will also be getting rid of the Liberty Square Riverboat. The Riverboat has allowed guests to cruise down the Rivers of America in an 'authentic steam-powered paddle wheeler,' according to the resort's website. Park-goers for decades have hopped on the Riverboat at Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom to enjoy a half-mile tour around Tom Sawyer Island. Sights included 'the early days of the American frontier,' including Harper's Mill, Fort Langhorn and Wilson's Cave Inn. Disney's 'imagineers' will build Piston Peak National Park, an expansion inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the 'history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks,' the company announced in a blog post on Tuesday. 'Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers,' Disney said. The park will be set within the universe of Disney and Pixar's Cars trilogy and incorporate so-called 'Parkitecture,' which Disney said was 'developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.' Guests will be able to explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and other attractions once construction is complete. Disney has not yet announced a date for when it expects to reveal the new attractions.
