As of Monday, July 14, the water levels are going down in the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom Park. This update comes days after Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat welcomed their final guests on July 6, 2025.
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort announced plans for two Cars (2006) themed attractions in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. Imagineering later revealed that the area would be called Piston Peak National Park, inspired by the beauty of America’s national parks and a location in Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014). Featuring a thrilling rally race attraction and a family-friendly ride, the area will embrace some parts of the existing landscape, including Tom Sawyer Island’s barrel bridges and some of the Rivers of America waterfront.
Construction crews began preparing land outside Magic Kingdom Park in the days before Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat shut down permanently. They bulldozed hundreds of trees and poured gravel in an area that permits say will be used for an equipment staging area and an office trailer lot.
As soon as the area closed, crews installed construction walls in parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Guests spotted construction workers and Walt Disney Imagineers exploring Tom Sawyer Island on foot and by boat, and tagging some items for archival preservation.
One week later, more construction walls surrounded most of the Rivers of America. On Monday, Laughing Place reported that the water level had decreased significantly, suggesting that Disney is beginning to drain the original Magic Kingdom Park water feature. If you’re curious what a drained Rivers of America looks like, the photo below shows the exposed Liberty Square Riverboat track wrapping around Tom Sawyer Island during a refurbishment project a few years back.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @pplcallmeblue shared photos and a video of the lower water level and construction walls near the former Liberty Square Riverboat entrance:
You can still enjoy Rivers of America at WDW!!!!
…er…well… in some of its glory. Water levels coming down… (The single door got a wall attached at least!)
You can still enjoy Rivers of America at WDW!!!!
…er…well… in some of its glory. Water levels coming down… (The single door got a wall attached at least!) pic.twitter.com/n5HxTqVrnt— Aaron (@pplcallmeblue) July 13, 2025
Scaffolding and scrims have appeared near the Haunted Mansion queue, which will likely block guests’ view of the construction from the line when completed. Construction equipment was spotted on a dock once used for guests taking the raft to and from Tom Sawyer Island.
Wooden walls now surround the Frontierland Walt Disney World Railroad station, which is closed. Guests can ride the steam train on “shuttle mode” between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains closed for its year-long refurbishment, including a complete track replacement. The Frontierland roller coaster is expected to open with “new magic” in early 2026.
When it opens, Piston Peak National Park will likely connect to another ongoing development at Magic Kingdom Park, the Disney Villains land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” The land, also announced at D23 Expo 2024, is part of the largest expansion ever at the original Central Florida Disney park.
Which ongoing development at Magic Kingdom Park are you most excited about? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!
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