Disney just confirmed that Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat will close permanently on July 7, 2025, to make way for a brand-new land in Magic Kingdom: Piston Peak National Park, a Cars-themed expansion inspired by Planes: Fire & Rescue.
We’ve known for a while that something big was coming to this part of the park—Disney shared long-range plans at D23 last year—but this is the first time we’ve seen concept art, heard the name, and been given a timeline. And the timeline is fast.
We’re Gaining Piston Peak, But Losing a Core Piece of Magic Kingdom
Piston Peak looks incredible. It’s rugged and scenic, styled after a national park in the American West. The land will feature a high-energy off-road rally ride with trackless vehicles racing through geysers, red rock cliffs, and waterfalls. It’s a departure from the polished nostalgia of Cars Land, and something that will bring real scale and visual drama to the back half of Magic Kingdom.
But to make room for it,
The Liberty Belle Riverboat has been circling the Rivers of America since 1973, offering a peaceful ride through trees, past old fort structures, and alongside the park’s last big stretches of undeveloped shoreline. It wasn’t thrilling, but it was magic in the quietest way—steam rising off the engine, the bell echoing over the treetops, and families leaning on the railing, just taking it all in.
Tom Sawyer Island was one of the last places kids could really explore. They sprinted across bouncing barrel bridges, ducked into caves, scrambled through the fort, and vanished into corners of the park that felt wild and unscripted. It was messy, and loud, and full of laughter echoing off the trees. You couldn’t mobile order it. You couldn’t Lightning Lane it. It was something you found—and claimed.
Disney is calling this expansion the biggest change to Magic Kingdom since New Fantasyland. That’s true. But it’s also the biggest removal of opening-era atmosphere the park has ever seen.
What the Concept Art Tells Us About the New Land
Now that we’ve seen the concept art for Piston Peak National Park, we finally have something to dig into—and while
For starters: it looks like they’re not filling in the entire river. The front section, including the current Liberty Belle dock, is still there. And that’s a big deal. If that river stays, there’s a real chance the Liberty Belle sticks around too—maybe not sailing in circles, but parked permanently as a set piece, a scenic corner, or even home to something new. A Tiana meet and greet with the bayou cliffs in the background? That’s the kind of vibe this space could absolutely deliver.
The main ride—the off-road rally
Just past the entrance, right in the center of the land, is a set of ranger station-style buildings, all pitched roofs and forest green details. It feels like the heart of the story, and likely where the main queue kicks off. Behind that is a round fenced area, which could be anything from a setpiece to a staging zone for the ride. It’s probably not another attraction, but it’s clearly part of the layout in a meaningful way.
But what really stands out is the giant hollowed-out tree stump tucked into the center-left of the land. It’s got visible pathways leading up to it and seems to have a full footprint to itself—which makes it a strong contender for the land’s second attraction.
It doesn’t scream thrill ride. It feels slower, more story-based. Maybe a small theater show, maybe interactive. Something with characters. It’s hard to say for sure, but it’s unique—and in a land that’s otherwise dominated by vehicle tracks, this could be where the storytelling slows down a bit.
There’s no obvious second ride track, no rollercoaster tucked behind a mountain, no clear showbuilding for a high-capacity dark ride. So this might not be a headliner, but it looks intentional—and if the design matches the rest of the land, it could still be something special.
All of this is guesswork, of course. But what we’re seeing here isn’t just a rushed IP overlay or a flat expansion shoved into leftover space. Piston Peak looks layered. It looks big. And if it delivers on what this artwork is suggesting, it could become one of the most visually immersive lands
Big Changes Are Happening Across Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom isn’t the only part of the resort in motion.
Tomorrow, June 7, marks the final day of Muppet*Vision 3D at
At Animal Kingdom, plans continue to move forward on Tropical Americas, which will replace DinoLand U.S.A. The new area will feature Encanto and Indiana Jones, with a retheme of the existing DINOSAUR ride expected. The carnival games and dino-themed play area are no more, and this new direction will shift the park’s tone toward IP-driven experiences.
And Over at Disneyland…
The changes aren’t limited to Florida. This week, Disneyland Resort announced the upcoming closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at California Adventure, which will make way for a full Avatar-themed land. The project is expected to break ground soon and open in phases.
Disney also confirmed the first-ever Coco attraction, coming to Pixar Pier, and revealed plans for a 6,000-space parking structure to accommodate the expected increase in attendance as the resort expands.
Both coasts are in motion. Big IP. Big environments. Big turnover.
So what do you think the second attraction in Piston Peak will be? Drop your guesses in the comments.
