Adieu to Rivers of America, Liberty Belle & Tom Sawyer Island

It’s been nearly a year since the wake of D23 where we learned that the Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island would be changed out into a new off road Cars experience. The way we learned that news was troublesome–hiding it from the official D23 presentation. But even if they had been more transparent about it, it would still be hard to lose. I’ve come to terms as I’ve shared in previous podcasts what’s working about what lies ahead for the Rivers of America. I think ultimately it will be a well-received set of experiences when it all comes together. But I couldn’t help but be really melancholy about saying goodbye to the river for the last time. I’ll share with you what went through my mind, and some of the really wonderful–even sweet memories I have from these attractions. I’ll talk about what else is happening currently in both Liberty Square and Frontierland, particularly with the soft reopening of Hall of Presidents, and then I’ll end with suggestions of where you can still find the spirit of this experience elsewhere–and it isn’t at Disneyland. So stay with us as we bid adieu to The Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island.

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Missing the Train Again

After such a long (5 year?) hiatus of the Walt Disney World Railroad, we now have to bid adieu to the full attraction experience for what will probably be another 4-5 years. Fortunately, it will be going back and forth from the Main Street Station to Storybook Circus. This was done some years ago when the space was Mickey’s Birthdayland, which celebrated Mickey’s birthday in 1988, where I remember it going back and forth from there.

Still, the loss is the sense of exploring the backwoods terrain of Magic Kingdom, which had a fairly authentic Florida swamp look and feel. There were also animals, native Americans and their encampments. But those are all going away. Not sure what it will look like when it’s coming around the backside of Villains Land. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The Liberty Belle and The Rivers of America

Memories I’ll Cherish About the Liberty Belle and the Rivers of America:

1. The Liberty Belle was originally called the Richard F. Irvine, named for a former WED executive. It was the second sternwheeler on the water, the first being the Admiral Joe Fowler, which was a double stack like the Mark Twain and was the original craft on the Rivers of America. Unfortunately, during an experience in dry dock, the ship was accidentally destroyed falling from a crane in 1980. the engine and boiler parts to that went to the Mark Twain in Tokyo Disneyland. In 1996 the Irvine was renamed The Liberty Belle. The ferry boats bringing guests to the Magic Kingdom were renamed after Irvine, Fowler and also General Joe Potter.
2. That isn’t the only loss on the river. The Mike Fink Keel Boats originally were docked next to The Haunted Mansion and then later moved toward Big Thunder. With the capsizing of the Gullywhumper keelboat at Disneyland in 1997, its days were numbered, and eventually it closed in April 2001. In truth it lasted longer than the 35 foot Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes back in the day. They closed in 1994. Now the rafts and the Liberty Belle have closed.
3. Canoes were a C ticket; Tom Sawyer Island and River Belle were D tickets. The best value was the Keelboat at a B ticket.
4. My first experience was not so much about whether it was better than Disneyland, but how authentic it seemed with the landscaping and the Florida scape. It seemed more authentic as a river.
5. I remember being on the Liberty Belle and being able to see Splash Mountain as it was being built. I was impressed by the scope of that attraction and looked fondly to being able to eventually ride it, which I did before I experienced it at Disneyland.
6. Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee was also a really great use of the boat and celebrated Tiana long before there was a mountain to do so.
7. The best experience on the Rivers of America were the CROW races, standing for Canoe Races of the World. That too will be ending here, though it’s entirely possible that it could take on another location such as around Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or World Showcase Lagoon. No word has been given about this.
8. No other joy was more profound than the chance I had to have my youngest son, who is autistic, become the honorary pilot of the Liberty Belle. With it he received a certificate honoring his experience.

Tom Sawyer Island

Five Memories I’ll Always Have About Tom Sawyer Island

1. Playing Pooh Sticks on the water
2. Finding the Paintbrush
3. Playing Checkers
4. Discovering the Caves–Especially the Back Cave
5. Eating at Aunt Polly’s

I should mention the settler’s cabin. It looks awful now, it always was, but it was purposely awful back then. Surprising to hear the sound of the cabin on fire, which still was playing even though fire or smoke hasn’t been seen on the cabin in years.

Making Sense of the Loss

As I experienced both for the last time I thought about how many ways this could be saved. Yet in truth, it really can’t. You could spend millions on improving the island, but you will always have this problem getting to it. You could build bridges to the island, but then you couldn’t have the river boat. In truth, it’s progress forward is somewhat stuck by the very thing that makes it quaint and unique.

Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July

Disney mentions the following

• 4th of July Fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot
• 4th of July Snacks for Foodies
• History Buff Choices
  • Daily Flag Retreat
  • Stroll Down Main Street
  • The American Adventure
  • Portraits of Courage
• Events for Resort Guests Like the Electrical Water Pageant Finale

What Disney doesn’t mention is the very soft re-opening of The Hall of Presidents. The initial film is the same as before, and it’s a well told story that includes Lincoln giving the Gettysburg address in the middle of it. When the big red curtains go up Biden placed in a new position in the back next to Andrew Jackson and not really near any contemporary figures (they tend to be grouped), and President Trump placed front and stage right of Abraham Lincoln with again, George Washington being front and stage left of Lincoln. There have been improvements made to Trump’s face which are better than before but the animatronic mannerisms are what well represent the man. His appearance in this show is different than before as after words are given by Washington, Trump then only recites the oath of office. Previously he went on to a short speech on the greatness of America. That is no longer there. But for those who want to read something into it, it wasn’t there with President Biden either. Biden simply recited the oath of office. In both shows that is followed by a short additional narrative that creates a montage of presidents on both screens on the far right and far left. One montage is of Teddy Roosevelt and Carter; one is of Clinton and George Bush, and the third is of Johnson and Obama.

So with a revised Hall of Presidents, a new Country Bear Musical Jamboree, a Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Sam McKim’s Mile House for DVC guests, and a completely revised Big Thunder Mountain coming in a few months, there is much that is new along the Rivers of America. There is one other new addition. The Prairie Outpost, known most to people as a location to get candy, treats and Caramel covered apples, was one of the last retail areas not re-opened since Covid. This week it has opened as a new Chapel Hats location. There is one at Disney Springs, now a new one opens here in Frontierland. Most don’t remember that once upon a time there was a Tricornered Hat Shoppe sandwiched between the Diamond Horseshoe and the restroom alley area leading to Adventureland. It’s been used more as a custodial storage area in recent years which tells you how big this thing is. Still, it makes one wonder in this day of Amazon, how successful it is to sell cowboy hats and other head ware in the shop. I would think that such a store might be successful in Frontierland at Disneyland Paris, where people look for authentic western wear. But I could be wrong, and I wish them luck (even if I miss my caramel apples).

For More Western Adventures…

That’s a nice transition to someplace where you can still find the Rivers of America, a steamboat journey, and an island to discover. It’s not Disneyland–though it has those elements–it’s Disneyland Paris. The French love all things western, and their Frontierland is truly impressive. At the center of it is the Rivers of The West, and at the center of it is not Tom Sawyer Island, but Big Thunder Mountain. It’s a lovely boat ride with much to see.

And if you want the adventures of Tom Sawyer, may I suggest something akin to that in the form of Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson and Peter Pan. It’s Adventure Isle next door at Disneyland Paris, and it has taken all the best elements of Tom Sawyer Island and given it a tropical overlay. You can pass high over a swinging bridge, or romp on a barrel bridge, climb a treehouse, and explore caves that take you to hidden treasures. It’s impressive and you won’t lament Tom Sawyer at all.

We say adieu in the title of this podcast. It’s French. Perhaps we should say Bienvenue as well to other Disney experiences as well.

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