Thanks to photos posted on X by @bioreconstruct, we can see that the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island rafts have been moved further down the Magic Kingdom service canals toward Seven Seas Lagoon.
Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island Rafts Moved
In new aerial photos from @bioreconstruct, the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Tom Sawyer Island rafts have been moved to another area of the Magic Kingdom Service Canal across from the construction staging areas in progress West of Magic Kingdom.
Previously, the riverboat and three rafts were docked in a Magic Kingdom service canal, located next to the construction zone behind Big Thunder Mountain. Being in this location would make it particularly difficult to drain the Rivers of America and then move the boat and rafts, as the canal would also lose water.
This new movement takes the Liberty Belle and rafts closer to Seven Seas Lagoon allowing crew members to add water barriers in order to keep the watercraft afloat. Nearest the rafts, a blue barrier can be seen to block water in. Just on the other side, it appears that water is being drained from the canal, likely along with the Rivers of America. Behind the Liberty Belle, another barrier is in place also blocking the water from Seven Seas Lagoon, ultimately locking in the water surrounding the boat and rafts. However, being in this location does mean that Disney could use Seven Seas Lagoon to move the riverboat in the future.
This new update leads us to believe that the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island rafts are safe from destruction at this time, but their future is unclear. Imagineering indicated that they are trying to find a use for the Riverboat, but whether that be in whole or parts remains to be seen.
The Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island closed permanently on July 7 to make way for a new Cars area in Magic Kingdom. If you want to see more of these classic attractions, we have compete last look photo tours with some of the many hidden details.
Check out the final ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat in our POV below.
Do you think Disney will repurpose the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Tom Sawyer Island rafts? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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