Big Changes at Magic Kingdom: What’s Replacing Rivers of America? Permits Approved to Start. The South Florida Water Management District has granted Disney an environmental resource permit, a major step towards the “Cars” themed expansion at Magic Kingdom. Issued on February 17, 2025, the permit allows changes to the 407 Basin Stormwater System, enabling the transformation of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. This approval follows Disney’s submission of detailed information addressing concerns about wetland and stormwater management.
What this means is with the final permit approved, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom have had their death knell rung. Both attractions may only have a few weeks left for guests to experience walking around Tom Sawyers Island or riding on the Liberty Belle steamboat. We do not have an official word from Walt Disney World on the exact timing of the closures.
We knew this was coming since Disney Parks recently posted: Get ready to start your engines! Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.
Firstly, I have to give full credit to WDWMagic for breaking this news yesterday evening. We have found the permits ourselves and you can see below the area these permits cover. Secondly, these permits were filed a few months ago and had to go through various stages of rewrites and inspections making them delayed by a few months. It would appear the permits were supposed to follow the same timeline as the closing of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It would make sense to have all of these closed around the same time, but that is speculation on our part.
Our next question will be, is the Walt Disney World Railroad down while construction is ongoing? We have questions, as we are sure you do also, so we will stay on top of any news coming out of Disney.
What is replacing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland?
A new area inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film “Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a racecar from the big city,” Josh told the crowd.
Don’t get too comfortable in Radiator Springs because it’s time to leave the pit stop and head west into exciting new frontiers. On this adventure, guests will be able to experience not one but two exciting new “Cars”-themed attractions.
One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes.
But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.
Villains Land – “Happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream!” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase. Portfolio creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering Michael Hundgen said this past weekend that “There might not be a happily ever after,” which just makes our hair stand on the edge with palpable excitement about the coming Villains land that is years in the making. Mr. D’amaro added this weekend that construction on Villains Land will be starting “very, very soon.”
