Fans are concerned about the fate of the Liberty Belle river boad amid rumors Disney may dismantle it after the closure of the Rivers of America.
Since August 2024, Disney has officially declared that the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat will close to make way for a new “Cars”-themed expansion at Magic Kingdom.
The Rivers of America and Big Thunder Mountain in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
On July 7, 2025, those attractions shuttered permanently, with the final guest voyages occurring on July 6th. Following the closure, construction crews immediately began dismantling these areas to prepare the land for new development. New rumors now allege that the beloved ship may soon also meet a similar end.
Tyler Dean Morgan in front of the Rivers of America in What Walt Would Say – YouTube, TDMcDowellVEVO
Fans have enjoyed this boat ride since its opening in 1973. Many have expressed their frustration and sadness over the ride’s closure. Some have taken the destruction of the iconic attractions as another sign that the parks no longer care about fans and are tone-deaf to what fans actually want.
It’s no coincidence Disney is closing Rivers of America on Fourth of July weekend.
Not only is it meant to add salt to the wound, but they wanted as many APs blocked out as possible so they don’t have Magic Kingdom assembling the largest crowd in its history to say goodbye to an… pic.twitter.com/cTUKwfVIOb
— Wallin Ballin (@wallin_ballin) July 4, 2025
Since then, many fans have voiced their theory as to the Liberty Belle’s future. Some would like to see the boat used for passage in the Seven Sea Lagoon (unlikely without a major refurbishment since the boat is not a free floating vessel). Others would like for the classic piece of Disney history to be docked in a new location like the Grand Floridian to beautify the area.
Disney has not released any official statement regarding the long-term disposition of the Liberty Belle riverboat following its closure.
The Current Location of the Liberty Belle
At the moment, Disney has docked the Liberty Belle within the Magic Kingdom’s backstage area, inaccessible and unseen to visitors at the park. Images from Google Maps provided by Blog Mickey confirm the boat’s location.
The Location of the Liberty Belle backstage at Walt Disney World as viewed through Google Maps – YouTube, WDWPro
An aqua-barrier currently blocks the Liberty Belle’s entry into the Seven Sea Lagoons, fueling fears that the boat will not be leaving in one piece. This is due to the current land-clearing underway to construct the new Car’s-themed “Piston Peak National Park.” Some fans fear that the only way out for the Liberty Belle is disassembled and carried out via the access road behind guest areas of the Magic Kingdom.
Concept art for Piston Peak, the new Cars Land coming to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Disney Parks
Additionally, another factor complicates the beloved attraction’s fate.
Though technically a boat, the Liberty Belle can only move forward and backward along a track. To allow the boat to be used as more than a docked Attraction, Disney has two options. It could either assemble a new track or add side-to-side maneuverability to the boat’s function.
Either would incur a massive cost.
In Summary
As of July 2025, the Liberty Belle Riverboat is closed and in dry dock. Disney has not officially provided a plan for its ultimate fate.
The historic Liberty Belle Riverboat in the Magic Kingdom – Photo Credit M. Montanaro
Rumors allege that Disney plans to dismantle the beloved vessel, but until Disney releases an official statement, the final outcome remains uncertain.
What do you hope will happen to the Liberty Belle? Let us know in the comments below!
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