Eddie Sotto’s Bold Plan: Save Rivers of America Without Sacrificing Disney’s Magic!

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Previously, Eddie Sotto, a former Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering, has once again contested Disney’s contentious decision to demolish the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom. Contrary to his previous critiques, he’s not just expressing disapproval this time; instead, he’s proposing a comprehensive plan that preserves the park’s historical integrity while still enabling Disney to construct its proposed expansions for Cars and Villains.

According to Sotto’s proposal, it appears that Disney is electing to alter the Rivers of America rather than being compelled to do so.

Here’s a rough sketch to demonstrate that it’s indeed possible to achieve everything with some creativity, as Sotto penned on X. The proposal includes riverboat routes yet-to-be-determined (Riverboat docks), interconnected tracks with switches (Main Street Streetcars) providing direct access to Back To Main Town (BTM). Additionally, there’d be a waterway for Canoes to navigate an underground ‘cavern’ beneath the rock bridge in BTM. More space would be available for Cars, but the river ambiance is preserved. There could also be a tunnel leading to a new ‘Lafitte’ Island. Villains could be accessed either via the Haunted Mansion or through a Frontierland ‘portal’. It’s all feasible if you set your mind to it. The case may still be under review, but it was enjoyable to brainstorm some ideas.

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Instead of removing the Rivers of America entirely, Sotto’s design reroutes it so that it circles Big Thunder Mountain. This way, it acts as a natural boundary between the American frontier and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Louisiana. This plan preserves Tom Sawyer Island, smooths the thematic transition from Frontierland to the Bayou, and adds new features such as a canoe cave.

Primarily, it expands the area for Cars Land and Villains Land, preserving the timeless allure of the park.

Even though Sotto showed it could work, he conceded that Disney shows little inclination towards options like these.

Is This Really About Expansion—Or Is It Something More?

It’s well-known that contemporary Imagineers have raised concerns regarding Disney’s portrayal of American history, leading some to suspect that this shift isn’t so much about advancement as it is about adopting progressive viewpoints.

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For quite some time, there have been whispers suggesting that Frontierland and Liberty Square have faced criticism, particularly from forward-thinking individuals within Imagineering and what is believed to be a disbanded department called Stories Matter.

As a supporter, I’d rephrase it like this: I’ve noticed that some groups within Disney have been labeling the concept of colonial expansion and the early American frontier as questionable. They argue that the removal of attractions such as the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island isn’t merely about making space for Cars Land, but rather a gradual process of detaching the park from its historical roots in American history.

Disney has revamped several iconic rides under the pretense of “updating”, such as replacing Splash Mountain with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and altering The Haunted Mansion’s bride character to eliminate darker story elements, opting for a more family-friendly version instead. Furthermore, Kim Irvine, a key Disney Imagineer, has publicly disclosed that they are contemplating eliminating the hanging man scene from The Haunted Mansion due to “contemporary sensitivity.

It’s long been whispered that Frontierland and Liberty Square might be the areas to undergo changes next. The potential alterations to the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island may not solely aim at making room for fresh attractions; they could also signal the beginning of a broader overhaul, potentially reshaping the historical base of Magic Kingdom entirely.

Sotto’s Initial Criticism of Disney’s Destruction of the Rivers of America

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Prior to drafting his alternative proposal, Sotto critiqued the suboptimal design decisions made by Disney in their theme park, specifically pointing out that removing the river adversely impacts the park’s overall sense of immersion.

In simpler terms, he stated that losing a river isn’t just about sentimental longing; it creates a subtle contrast that intensifies the appeal of other landscapes. It’s like comparing sleek, futuristic cities with untouched wilderness – think of it as the difference between chocolate and peanut butter. Transitioning between these environments adds an unexpected and exciting dimension to our experiences, making them seem almost impossible. Even the energy levels change significantly. Nowadays, parks are creating ‘decompression areas,’ but for decades, rivers and TSI (the specific location or experience he’s referring to) served this purpose exceptionally well.

He mentioned that parks should be created not just practically but also emotionally. Epic Universe is underscoring this distinction by using ‘portals.’ It’s simply an idea I wanted to share.

Sotto emphasizes a fact long-recognized by Disney enthusiasts: Magic Kingdom is purposefully structured with distinct, thematically contrasting elements that collectively weave a compelling narrative. The river wasn’t merely an aesthetic addition; it contributed to the sensation of entering another era or realm altogether.

Currently, Disney is moving towards streamlining the transition process, opting for swift extensions of intellectual properties instead, which at times may seem jarring and disrupt the smooth continuity of the theme park experience.

Disney’s IP-First Mentality Could be Ruining Magic Kingdom on Purpose

Sotto’s revised plan leaves no room for doubt: Disney can construct Cars Land and Villains Land without razing the Rivers of America – it’s merely a decision they make.

But that choice is consistent with how Disney has operated in recent years.

For example:

  • Instead of expanding the park, they demolish existing lands and replace them with IP tie-ins.
  • Instead of maintaining a sense of immersion, they force different properties together with no regard for thematic consistency.
  • Instead of preserving the artistry and storytelling that made the parks special, they take the easy way out.

Initially, EPCOT was intended as a platform for showcasing innovation and various cultures from around the world. However, it’s undergoing a gradual change, transforming more into an event dedicated to Intellectual Properties (IPs), with figures like Guardians of the Galaxy, Moana, and Disney characters becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the park.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom is choosing to follow a similar course, not out of necessity, but rather as a desire or preference.

The Big Question: Does Disney Want to Preserve Its History?

As I sat there, taking in the spectacle unfolding before my eyes, I couldn’t help but marvel at Sotto’s ingenious plan. By preserving the magic of the immersive experience while keeping the Rivers of America a dynamic storytelling device, he has managed to pave the way for fresh attractions to be added without compromising the overall narrative. Simply put, it’s a masterstroke that blends tradition with innovation in a way that only the most skilled movie reviewer could appreciate.

But as he admitted, Disney doesn’t want to take this approach.

Previously, a fan inquired if Imagineers could persuade Disney to rethink their decision to destroy the Rivers of America. To this, Sotto replied: “Others have made attempts, but to no avail. As far as I’m aware, the matter seems to be settled. WDI is already cognizant of the social media posts, concerns, and viewpoints expressed.

In other words: Disney knows people are upset, but they don’t care.

It’s not merely a matter of creating space for fresh attractions; it’s also about Disney seemingly neglecting its rich past.

Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America embody Walt Disney’s concept of America as a land of thrilling adventures, enlightening explorations, and captivating storytelling. Over many years, these attractions have bridged generations with their ties to timeless literature and historical fantasies.

Currently, Disney is deliberately distancing itself from its past, not out of necessity, but rather as a conscious decision to disassociate.

Should Disney really aim to eliminate the historical impacts on Frontierland, it might be setting a precedent for more changes to come.

Could it be that Liberty Square, with its iconic features, will undergo changes soon? Might the traditional aspects of Haunted Mansion be reconsidered or modified? Is there a possibility that Frontierland, as we know it today, may transform into something new?

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself captivated by Eddie Sotto’s innovative proposal for Disney. The question lingers, will Disney heed the call and embrace this fresh vision?

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2025-03-11 18:56