Sunday, July 6 is the last operating day for Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom in Florida.
For decades, this tree-lined stretch of Frontierland and Liberty Square invited guests to break away from the hustle and bustle of the world’s most visited theme park, to take in the scenery and slow down.
The closing was announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last August, but a specific date wasn’t shared until June.
Here’s why the attractions are closing and what guests can expect from their replacement.
Why is Disney closing Tom Sawyer Island?
Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America are closing at Disney World as part of Magic Kingdom’s largest expansion to date. The Florida park is getting a whole new area beyond Big Thunder Mountain, including a new Villians land in years to come.
The space where Tom Sawyer Island is now will be replaced by a new “Cars”-inspired area different from the Radiator Springs setting of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.
The new area will be called “Piston Peak National Park.”
“Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers,” Disney Parks Blog posted in June. “Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar ‘Cars’ universe.”
Disney said Imagineers will use a style of architecture developed by the Natural Park Service to blend structures into Rocky Mountain-inspired Piston Peak, and trees will serve as a natural border between an off-road rally attraction and the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square.
Concept art shared by Disney shows water will also remain a prominent part of the landscape.
Source: this article originally appeared on USA TODAY
Photo by alchetron.com©
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