Frontierland is facing total destruction following further announcements from Disney. Combining the recent reimagining of rides in the area and the closure of the opening day Shooting Arcade attraction, Disney is destructively transforming the area. Modern thinking is perhaps the motivation for change, but this most recent news goes a step too far.
Ride closures
The Shooting Arcade was the first ride to fall prey to Disney on their destructive rampage. Sunday 23rd June 2024 was the last day to experience this opening day attraction, which holds a special place in the heart of many guests.
Less than 2 months later, the destruction of Tom Sawyer Island and the River of America became clear from the release of concept art. Framing the new land with Haunted Mansion to the bottom left and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to the right, the new land is paving paradise.
It appears that more mountains will be built for the Cars reimagining, changing the entire landscape of the area and irradicating all trace of the Rivers of America. The destruction of the Rivers of America will also see the closure of Liberty Belle, the Liberty Square Riverboat.
This is without mentioning the reimagining of Country Bear Jamboree over Spring 2024. Reimagining the bears into Country Bear Musical Jamboree, the show is now a countrified Disney song sing-along hosted by our favourite country bears.
On 23 January 2023, Splash Mountain was wiped from Frontierland after 30 years. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening a little under 18 months later as part of what is now clearly a full reimagining of Frontierland.
Noticeably, reimagining includes full Disney IP rebranding of everything. This should make for some interesting merch.
Tom Sawyer Island
Closing Tom Sawyer Island is letting go of more of Magic Kingdom’s opening day roots. Although the ride did not open for 2 years, it was part of the opening day landscape of Frontierland. Open since the 20 May, 1973, Tom Sawyer Island provides an innocent escape from the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom.
Not a thrilling attraction or one which could ever be seen as a must ride, this attraction clearly no longer fits with the vision and progress of Magic Kingdom. We are sad that this ride is closing, but it was inevitably the ride facing reimagination when they announced the transformation of Frontierland. The closure of the Liberty Belle through the destruction of the River of America is the big surprise.
Liberty Belle
A ride not listed within Frontierland, yet still slated for destruction as part of the Magic Kingdom transformation, Liberty Square Riverboat. A reimagining that is stretching into the peripheries of Liberty Square, our only advice to Disney: DON’T TOUCH THE HAUNTED MANSION.
The Liberty Belle has been sailing the Rivers of America since 20th May, 1973. Note it’s the same opening date as Tom Sawyer Island. Originally known as the Richard F Irvine, she became the Liberty Belle in 1996. This meandering boat ride offers an excellent escape, providing a moving platform for Disney fan photographers to capture images from a higher perspective.
Death of land and sea
The Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island have been linked since their opening. An unlikely pairing, as with many characters in Disney stories, these 2 attractions belong together. Let’s take a look at their story:
- Opening together, they have been providing guests with an escape into a different kind of magical experience for 51 years. That’s over half a century.
- It was a match made in Imagineering heaven. The rafts transporting guests to Tom Sawyer Island were the Liberty Belle’s safety net, doubling up as emergency rafts for the boat.
- Limited opening times impact when you can experience both rides.
- You can get a rare view of the park from both rides, one that just looks out over the railway and greenery. No castle, no rides, just peace.
Destroying more than 1 land
The largest expansion and redevelopment of Magic Kingdom, ever in its history, is obviously going to transform the park. Choosing to transform the most popular of the Disney Parks is always going to cause controversy, but Disney are stealthy destroying the dynamic of more than 1 land.
It’s more than just a reimagining of Frontierland, Imagineers are now changing the dynamic of Liberty Square. This reimagining will strip iconic sights and sounds from the park. The sound of the Liberty Belle chugging by and sounding her horn is part of people’s sense memory, part of what makes Magic Kingdom, magic.
The loss of Disney experiences
Destroying Frontierland and a third of Liberty Square is going to come with a high price tag. The loss is painful from a nostalgic perspective, but lets see what it is going to take away from guest experiences in the park.
Removing calm experiences
With over 17 million people visiting the park worldwide in 2022, Magic Kingdom can be a bit loud and overwhelming for many guests. It is after all the most visited theme park worldwide. Hopping aboard a raft to Tom Sawyer Island or boarding a boat for a journey around the quietest park area gave an escape route. Experiencing a more natural landscape provides guests the chance to recharge and recalibrate in peace, before diving back in.
This area of the park by the water is also quieter to walk by, particularly of an evening. Watching the fireworks next to the river is an option for those who don’t enjoy the cramped experience at the front of Cinderella Castle and down Main Street. Removing that calm environment is a loss to many guests who value the serenity this space offers.
Miscalculating the impact of destruction
Many guests will have reservations about this transformation. Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World portfolio executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, acknowledges during his D23 announcements.
“Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests.”
Will the impact of destroying beloved attractions impact fan feelings towards the new Cars themed area? It’s very unlikely. Although this change will destroy Magic Kingdom as we know it, will destroy Walt’s vision of Frontierland it is sadly part of change.
Change cannot happen without loss.
A place to play
Disney had held onto a place of pure childhood imagination with Fort Langhorn on Tom Sawyer Island. A hidden wilderness experience offering children and adults the chance to exercise their own imaginations in the land of imagination fit with Walt’s visions.
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.”
Walt Disney.
Creating a place to play, to experience quality time with your children was part of his reason for creating Disneyland and by extension Disney World. Building forts in your lounge with pillows is part of most people’s childhood memories. Being able to bring the fort to life in Magic Kingdom carries so much power for the imagination.
Removing a place to create laughter, inspire imagination, and act out dreams is Disney’s way of admitting that technology is replacing the power of imagination when we play. There is no more space for free imagination and play in Magic Kingdom.
It’s a new frontier
This final reimagining is removing all of the opening day meaning of a 1970’s Frontierland from the park. There will be no more opening day charm in this land. Disney are effectively making a new land from scratch, they’re just dressing it up as a reimagining to avoid the uproar. Walt’s Frontierland is dead.
The new Frontierland is not going to be the same. It will be new and hopefully it will inspire imagination, laughter, and creativity in new ways. Such large scale change will always face backlash. At Disney this is especially true as the stories they build form the backdrop for the memories we as guests cherish.
The page will shortly be closing on this chapter of Magic Kingdom. Frontierland will no longer be Frontierland as we cherish and love it. Our advice is to make the most of it while you can. Disney are suggesting the rides will close permanently in early 2025.
The future of Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is entering her transformation era. Villains are invading and Frontierland is changing. How she will look, feel, sound, and smell is all going to change. Guests will be experiencing a new Magic Kingdom when renovations are complete. In the meantime, Magic Kingdom will feel different and guest experiences in Frontierland are going to be tinged with nostalgia, sadness and trepidation.
This change is happening. Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman says at D23 on 10th August :
“Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight.”
What this is going to mean for the other lands in Magic Kingdom, only time will tell. Will this spell the end of the Tomorrowland Speedway further down the line? We have a feeling it might. Whatever comes, Disney is changing with the times.
Conclusion
Magic Kingdom is going to create a new kind of magic. We may not be happy with the loss of a quiet space and attractions which offer escapism within theme park escapism, but we are excited to see this transformation. Without destruction, there is no change. Here’s hoping the change is a positive one for guest experiences in the parks. We’re optimistically driving into a whole new Frontier.
