A 2019 tweet from Disney directly acknowledges the soon-to-be-closed Tom Sawyer Island and its integral connection to Walt Disney. Fans aren’t letting the company forget that.
In a striking turn of events, Disney fans are throwing the company’s own words back at it after this week’s announcement that the Rivers of America, including Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat, will close permanently at Magic Kingdom on July 6, 2025 in Walt Disney World.
The criticism centers around a now-viral tweet from the official @DisneyParks account, posted on April 12, 2019.
A 2019 tweet in which Disney admits that Tom Sawyer Island is wrapped up in the legacy of Walt Disney himself – X: @DisneyParks
“Disney Parks all over the world still bear many personal marks of Walt Disney himself, and Tom Sawyer Island is perhaps one of the most personal,” the company said in a statement that’s now being thrown back in its face.
The tweet was accompanied by a decorative map of Tom Sawyer Island, highlighting its themed areas and storybook-inspired layout. The post has resurfaced as a damning reminder that the company once publicly acknowledged the attraction’s close connection to Walt Disney—only to now dismantle it.
Fan Backlash Mounts
Frustrated fans have been circulating the 2019 post in response to the closure news, interpreting the move as part of a broader erasure of Disney’s original identity as set down by its beloved founder.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s being said:
Of course pre-2020.
Something went down inside Disney in 2020. https://t.co/GddC7lVeMR
— Ivan (@Valiantes_) June 4, 2025
@Valiantes_ on X noted a dramatic shift in the Disney company after 2020. “Of course pre-2020. Something went down inside Disney in 2020.”
By Disney’s own admission, they plan to destroy what they call one of the most personal marks of Walt Disney himself. They plan to do this at WALT DISNEY World. It’s clear how much Iger & Co. hate, or at best don’t care for, Walt Disney and the vision he had for his parks. https://t.co/NdZzijdE6w
— Tommy Macklin (@tcmack568) June 4, 2025
@tcmack568 offered an eloquent takedown of Disney’s perceived double standard. “By Disney’s own admission, they plan to destroy what they call one of the most personal marks of Walt Disney himself. They plan to do this at WALT DISNEY World. It’s clear how much Iger & Co. hate, or at best don’t care for, Walt Disney and the vision he had for his parks.”
I couldn’t agree more. https://t.co/N3ai2DgKjz
— Theme Park Casual (@ThemeParkCasual) June 4, 2025
@ThemeParkCasual simply stated, “I couldn’t agree more.”
To @Disney & @RobertIger. What I’m reading here below sure as heck doesn’t represent what you are today. What happened to this company?#SaveSplashMountain @Disneyland @WaltDisneyCo @WaltDisneyWorld @DisneyParks @elonmusk https://t.co/0hV8NAFXXM
— Michael (@MTARDI32) June 4, 2025
@MTARDI32 called out Disney and Iger directly. “To @Disney & @RobertIger What I’m reading here below sure as heck doesn’t represent what you are today. What happened to this company?”
This didn’t age well
HT @RetroSixFlags https://t.co/y6lK3BeYRq— Aahs n Oohs (@Aahs_n_Oohs) June 4, 2025
@Aahs_n_Oohs simply pointed out the obvious. “This didn’t age well.”
What’s Closing and What’s Coming
The Rivers of America, a staple of Magic Kingdom since its opening in 1971, will see its final day of operation on July 6, 2025.
This includes:
- The Liberty Square Riverboat (Liberty Belle)
- Tom Sawyer Island, with its caves, barrel bridges, fort, and self-guided exploration trails
- The Mike Fink Keelboats dock, a remnant used in recent years as extended queue for The Haunted Mansion
According to Imagineering, construction walls will not go up immediately but will appear in the weeks following the closure. Demolition permits were filed and approved earlier in 2025.
Concept art for Piston Peak, the new Cars Land coming to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Disney Parks
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In its place, Disney is constructing a Cars-themed expansion of Frontierland. Rather than replicate Radiator Springs or Route 66, the new area will take place in Piston Peak National Park, a fictional setting inspired by the Rocky Mountains, originally featured in the animated film Planes: Fire & Rescue.
The expansion is expected to introduce new themed attractions, possibly a family-friendly ride and integrated storytelling through scenic wilderness design.
A Pattern of Replacing the Past
While Disney has not commented on the irony of its 2019 tweet, the post has fueled ongoing criticism that the company is continuing a trend of replacing Walt-era attractions with newer, IP-based content. For many fans, Tom Sawyer Island wasn’t just a piece of theme park real estate—it was a living part of Walt’s creative legacy.
The decision to shutter the area immediately following the Fourth of July weekend has only amplified the backlash, with some viewing the timing as symbolic of the company’s shift away from Americana in favor of progressive corporate synergy.
The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit M. Montanaro
Whether fans will be satisfied with what replaces the Rivers of America remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Disney’s own words from 2019 may have just become the most powerful argument against its latest move.
How do you feel about this 2019 post about Tom Sawyer Island and Walt Disney? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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It’s completely true, they hate Walt and his vision because it was an authentic American vision and the people over at the company today HATE traditional American values. Even Walt’s remaining family are spitting on the man’s grave while relishing in the money his work got them, the spineless wretches.