Beloved Liberty Belle Riverboat Faces Possible Dismantling – Fans are Devastated!

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Concerns have arisen among fans regarding the future of the Liberty Belle riverboat, as there are whispers that Disney might take it apart following the shutdown of the Rivers of America.

Beginning August 2024, it’s been confirmed by Disney that they will be shutting down the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat. This closure is to facilitate the development of a new “Cars”-themed area within Magic Kingdom.

On July 7, 2025, those attractions closed down permanently, with the last trips for visitors taking place on July 6th. After the closure, construction teams quickly started tearing down these areas to pave the way for new projects. Recently, there have been whispers that the cherished ship might suffer a similar fate soon.

Since it first set sail in 1973, this boat ride has provided delight for countless fans. Their disappointment and sorrow upon its closure is palpable. To some, the demolition of these cherished landmarks serves as further evidence that the parks no longer prioritize fan enjoyment and seem oblivious to what fans truly desire.

It’s no coincidence Disney is closing Rivers of America on Fourth of July weekend.

Instead of deliberately making a bad situation worse by blocking out as many APs (Annual Passholders) as they could, they aimed to keep Magic Kingdom from gathering the biggest crowd ever to bid farewell to someone special.

Here’s another way: They didn’t just want to rub salt in the wound, but also intended to minimize the presence of Annual Passholders at Magic Kingdom so that it wouldn’t attract its largest-ever crowd to say goodbye to a notable figure.

— Wallin Ballin (@wallin_ballin) July 4, 2025

After that, numerous fans have put forth their ideas regarding the Liberty Belle’s future. Some dream of the boat being utilized for travel within the Seven Sea Lagoon, although this may not be feasible without significant renovations, given that the boat is not designed to float freely. Others propose moving the historical Disney artifact to a new location, such as the Grand Floridian, with the intention of enhancing the surrounding area.

It remains undetermined, as Disney hasn’t yet shared any details about the future plans for the Liberty Belle riverboat since it was temporarily closed.

The Current Location of the Liberty Belle

Currently, Disney has moored the Liberty Belle behind the scenes of the Magic Kingdom, hidden from view for park guests. Pictures from Google Maps, as shared by Blog Mickey, verify the boat’s position.

A water barricade prevents the Liberty Belle from entering the Seven Sea Lagoons, raising concerns that it might not depart in one piece. This predicament arises because land-clearing operations are ongoing for the construction of a Car’s-themed park, Piston Peak National Park. Some enthusiasts worry that the Liberty Belle’s only exit option may be dismantling it and transporting the pieces via the access road behind Magic Kingdom guest areas.

Additionally, another factor complicates the beloved attraction’s fate.

The Liberty Belle, while classified as a boat, operates only on a fixed path moving forwards and backwards. To transform it from a stationary attraction, Disney has two possible solutions: construct a new track system or equip the vessel with the ability to move sideways.

Either would incur a massive cost.

In Summary

By July 2025, the Liberty Belle Riverboat will be out of service and docked for maintenance. Disney hasn’t yet shared their long-term plans regarding its future.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Disney might decommission a much-loved ship, however, as Disney hasn’t made an official announcement yet, the ultimate decision is still up in the air.

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2025-07-17 16:56