ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Amid a series of revamps, closures, and new rides at Disney’s theme parks in Florida, yet another attraction is set to leave for good, according to the company.
More specifically, News 6 obtained documents on Monday showing that Disney World was approved to remove its Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island as part of its largest upcoming expansion at Magic Kingdom.
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At D23 Expo last year, Disney officials unveiled the massive Magic Kingdom expansion at Frontierland — which will be themed around the “Cars” movies — and a land dedicated to Disney’s villain characters.
The areas will be “transformed” into a rugged terrain befitting Frontierland for a race car attraction. In addition, the area will feature a family attraction that has not yet been unveiled, as well as climbing trails and “dodging geysers.”
Rivers of America is an artificial river that was part of the Magic Kingdom’s opening attractions in 1971, and it flows along Liberty Square and Frontierland.
Meanwhile, Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1973 as an artificial island set in Rivers of America, featuring a mine, a cave, a frontier fort, and trails all inspired by the stories of Mark Twain.
On Monday, the South Florida Water Management District issued an environmental resource permit to Disney to make modifications to its water basins, clearing the way for the company to eventually demolish these two long-time attractions.
“Construction inside the... basins will include pavement upgrades, facility renovations, and other minor upgrades,” the project summary reads.
Disney did not say when Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will officially close, but company officials did say that work on the expansion would start sometime this year.
Other attractions coming to Walt Disney World in the next few years will include a Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Tropical Americas, a new land at Animal Kingdom that will replace the Dinosaur area, featuring attractions inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise and the animated film “Encanto.”