Disney Files Permit for Removal of Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom

Hey Disney Vacationers! If you’ve ever crossed the Rivers of America on a log raft, climbed through Injun Joe’s Cave, or tiptoed across the bouncy barrel bridge—then yeah, this one’s going to hit hard. Disney has just filed a new permit that makes it official: the removal of Tom Sawyer Island is happening.

And it’s not just the island. The entire area—Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat—will permanently close starting July 7, 2025, as part of Magic Kingdom’s biggest expansion to date.

What the Permit Confirms

Walt Disney Imagineering recently filed a Notice of Commencement tied to the island’s physical address. The permit lists demolition, infrastructure work, and utility modifications. In plain terms: they’re not updating Tom Sawyer Island—they’re removing it.

The contractor listed is NorthStar Contracting Group, Inc., a national company that handles demolition, remediation, abatement, and emergency response services. The project is contracted for one year. If the work stretches longer, Disney will need to file a new permit.

A Goodbye to a 1973 Original

Tom Sawyer Island isn’t just another piece of the park. It opened with the Magic Kingdom’s early years, debuting in 1973, just two years after the park itself. For decades, the island served as a place for exploration, play, and a little bit of quiet in a park that’s constantly buzzing.

Some of the most iconic features included:

• Harper’s Mill with its spinning water wheel
• The twisting, dark paths inside Injun Joe’s Cave
• A real sense of “choose-your-own-adventure” across rope bridges, treehouses, and trails
• That wild barrel bridge that tested everyone’s balance

It was low-tech. It was old-school. And for many of us who grew up visiting Magic Kingdom, it was magic in its own right.

What’s Coming Next: A Cars-Themed Land

The demolition clears the way for a brand-new Cars-themed area based on Piston Peak National Park, a nod to the Planes: Fire & Rescue spin-off from Pixar’s Cars universe. The land is expected to include an immersive off-road rally attraction and other theming that ties into America’s frontier wilderness—blending nicely with the surrounding Frontierland area.

Disney has said this will be the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. While many fans were hoping for something completely new, the Cars franchise brings recognizable characters and family-friendly adventure, which fits the park’s audience.

What This Means for Frontierland

With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure already transforming Splash Mountain nearby, this expansion marks a total shift for the western edge of Magic Kingdom. It’s clear Disney is pushing for a new kind of storytelling—one that leans into IP (intellectual property) and immersive theming over nostalgia.

Frontierland has always represented the American frontier. But Disney is expanding that definition.

• You start in Liberty Square, inspired by upstate New York and early colonial days.
• Then you pass through the North Woods (Grizzly Hall).
• Now you’ll stroll past Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, representing the Mississippi River and New Orleans.
• And you’ll land in Piston Peak, a rugged, Western wilderness tied to America’s national parks.
• Finally, you reach the Arizona bluffs at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Piston Peak National Park makes the transition seamless. It continues the legacy of characters forging their own frontier—just like in the old days of America.

Final Thoughts

The removal of Tom Sawyer Island is more than just a demolition permit. It’s the end of a 50+ year piece of Magic Kingdom’s identity. For kids who pretended to be pirates, for parents who appreciated a calm, shaded place to let kids burn off energy, and for lifelong fans who treasured the island’s simplicity—this is a big change.

But if Disney sticks the landing on the new Cars-themed land, it could be a crowd-pleaser that helps refresh and rebalance the park for a new generation.

For now, though, we’ve got a few mow weeks to say goodbye.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!