Liberty Square Riverboat 2025 tour at Magic Kingdom with 40 photos, 20-minute POV
The Liberty Square Riverboat attraction, home to the Liberty Belle paddle wheeler, permanently closes on July 7, 2025, at Magic Kingdom (with its final day open being July 6), so we’re taking a photo & video tour of this longstanding Walt Disney World attraction.
(Liberty Square Riverboat and the surrounding Rivers of America, including Tom Sawyer Island, will be replaced by new rides themed to Pixar’s “Cars” movies. The project is part of a larger Frontierland makeover.)
Ship exterior
Though the attraction name is Liberty Square Riverboat, the Liberty Belle ship is mostly seen by pedestrians from Frontierland. Watching it crest along the Rivers of America is an attraction unto itself.
Around the ship
If guests choose to spend their time exploring the Liberty Square Riverboat’s interior spaces, they’ll also find plenty to observe.
Magic Kingdom views from Liberty Square Riverboat
From the unique vantage point of the Liberty Square Riverboat’s decks, riders can view familiar Magic Kingdom sights from different angles: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Haunted Mansion, and the Frontierland promenade.
Views along the shoreline
As the Liberty Square Riverboat makes its way behind Tom Sawyer Island, its park views transition to the wilderness. Here, riders can see animatronics and static figures representing wildlife, Native Americans, and a fisherman.
Markers name each specific section of the Rivers of America, such as Devil’s Elbow, Crawdad Shoals, or Deer Crossing.
If your timing’s lucky, you might even see the Walt Disney World Railroad cross the bridge behind Tom Sawyer Island. Riders onboard the trains see a lot of the same figures along the shoreline, but they pass by them much quicker than the riverboat’s slow pace.
In addition to the pretend wildlife, we spotted a real gator in the Rivers of America during our ride.
Look closely for this reference to Mike Fink Keelboats, a defunct Magic Kingdom attraction. Boats similar to the one pictured below formerly traversed the Rivers of America, stepping off from what is now the extended queue for Haunted Mansion. (Mike Fink is a character from Disney’s vintage “Davy Crockett” television programs.)
20-minute POV video onboard the Liberty Square Riverboat
Relive your memories from this attraction by enjoying a full-circle tour onboard the Liberty Square Riverboat in our 20-minute POV video:
Ready to keep exploring? Continue your adventure with our 80-photo tour of Tom Sawyer Island.
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