Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
Liberty Square Riverboat Extends Hours Ahead of Final Voyage at Magic Kingdom
All aboard for one last cruise through Disney history! The Liberty Belle Riverboat in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square is officially steaming into its final days — and Disney has quietly extended its operating hours to give guests a bit more time to say goodbye.
According to updated signage at the dock and the Walt Disney World website, the Liberty Belle is now opening an hour earlier, with daily operation from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. through July 8, 2025 — the steamboat’s last day of operation before it sails off into the sunset for good.
Related: Birds Eye View of the Cool Ship Refurbishment in the Magic Kingdom
This bittersweet farewell comes ahead of the permanent closure of the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat, all of which are making way for a Cars-themed expansion in Frontierland. While the boat’s final voyage is scheduled for July 8, guests will still be able to visit the area briefly before construction walls go up later in the month. Demolition permits for the overhaul were already filed and approved earlier this year.
A Legacy on the Water
The Rivers of America have been a tranquil, nostalgic staple of Magic Kingdom since the park opened on October 1, 1971. The Liberty Belle’s roots stretch back even further than her current name — she originally debuted as the Richard F. Irvine in 1973, sharing the waterway with the Admiral Joe Fowler, which sadly met its end in 1980 after a dry dock accident.
In 1996, the Richard F. Irvine was refurbished and renamed the Liberty Belle, honoring America’s riverboat heritage and continuing the tradition of scenic journeys around Frontierland and Liberty Square. Now, after more than 50 years of riverboat magic, her bell will ring for the last time.
Related: Dive Into Summer with Disney’s Moana Ocean Celebration!
Also vanishing with this transformation is the former Mike Fink Keelboats dock, which most recently served as an overflow queue for The Haunted Mansion as well as a slice of Walt-era charm that once included the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.
Though there’s reportedly still internal discussion among Imagineering about the future of the Liberty Square Riverboat concept, the countdown has begun. So if you’re hoping to take one more ride aboard this paddle-wheeler of yesteryear, make sure to catch her before the curtain closes on July 6.
Get all the best Disney News
and more, straight to your inbox!
We don't spam. Read our privacy policy for more info.
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Click Here for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
