Don’t Expect Wristbands for Final Tom Sawyer Island or Liberty Square Riverboat Departures. Guests hoping to be the “Last” guests to ride on the Liberty Belle Riverboat, or we guess on the raft to Tom Sawyer Island (even though what matters is being last off the island), do not expect a wristband distribution system to be in place.
The last day to experience the Liberty Square Riverboat is July 6. The attraction and Rivers of America will close permanently on July 7 to make way for the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom. Read more about Piston Peak National Park coming to the Magic Kingdom.
Liberty Square Riverboat “Liberty Belle” has extended its operating hours. The hours for riding along Rivers of America at Disney’s Magic Kingdom park are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Expect Cast Members to close the queue either exactly at 8:00 PM on July 6th, 2025, or if the queue becomes full, it is possible to close the queue a little early.
When Muppet*Vision 3D performed for the final time on June 7th for guests, some people were lucky enough to be in the Muppet Courtyard earlier in the morning and could receive a wristband for the final performance of the evening. The same happened for the closing of ‘It’s Tough To Be A Bug” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This alleviated a lot of the hassle and outrage from guests over who would get into the theater for the final performance. We thought the closing of Muppets*Vision 3D was the best-run ride closing ever at Walt Disney World.
Why would Disney not give out wristbands for those looking to be on the last boat to ever run on Rivers of America? It’s hard to gauge the exact level of “die-hard” fan attendance for the very last boat. A wristband system requires pre-planning and a set number, which might be difficult to determine accurately. Expect the demand to come mostly from Disney Influencers who wish they had the Medal of Honor for their sacrifice of standing in a long line to ride something that has been around since 1973. Think of their feet and their numbers!
Furthermore, there is no traditional queue system like the Muppets or Bug’s Life had. Disney would have to set up stanchions in the walkways close to Haunted Mansion, or into Liberty Square, with the high traffic area, we just do not see it happening. Plus, both Tom Sawyer Island Rafts and the Liberty Square Riverboat close earlier than the Magic Kingdom.
The Liberty Belle is a slow-moving, relaxing boat ride. It seems like the boat has just always been there for us to ride or not ride. We have never seen a huge demand for the attraction. Of course, the last days are different, and the demand could be massive.
As for Tom Sawyer Island, the rafts headed to the Island will close earlier than the rafts heading back from the island. Technically, you could get on an earlier raft and stay all day at Tom Sawyer Island (We do not know why you would do this, but you do you!). So, last raft to Tom Sawyer doesn’t matter as much as the last raft off the Island, and there is no way for Disney to control that situation.
With all that said, we will still be in the Magic Kingdom on July 6th for rope drop! But we are not expecting to see the fervor and demand like a Country Bears or Splash Mountain had for the last ride!
If you absolutely must be on one of the final trips, your best bet is rope drop on July 6th and heading directly to the attraction. Be prepared for potentially long lines.
Don’t Expect Wristbands for Final Tom Sawyer Island or Liberty Square Riverboat Departures
