in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World
Credit: Inside the Magic
Disney fans holding out some hope that they could still save Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America woke up this morning and realized that their dream was officially dead. New photos reveal that what was left of that area is currently gone.
Photos posted last night on X (formerly Twitter) by @bioreconstruct show that the remaining buildings on Tom Sawyer Island have been completely demolished by Disney’s construction crews. This officially puts the final nail in the coffin of those trying to save the beloved attractions at Magic Kingdom.
Disney began demolishing the buildings earlier this week, starting with Aunt Polly’s and the windmill. However, the new photos show that both structures, as well as the caverns and Potter’s Mill, are gone.
Aerial photo of the demolition of most structures on former Tom Sawyer Island.
Aunt Polly's was at bottom left. pic.twitter.com/tCU6AKOCI6
Disney closed Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island on July 6 to make way for the new Cars Land. Since then, Disney has completely drained the River and put up screening to block guests from seeing or taking photos of the construction zone.
No project in recent memory has stoked more anger among the Disney community than the removal of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. While neither attraction was considered a doorstopper, both added aesthetic value to the park and created an atmosphere of calm on an otherwise hectic day at Magic Kingdom.
Aerial overview of demolition of structures on the islands of former Rivers of America. pic.twitter.com/SrP2eCZyws
Disney fans started social media petitions and letter-writing campaigns to The Walt Disney Company in an attempt to stop the project, but their efforts appear to have been in vain. With this latest construction update, Disney is moving forward with its project despite fans’ objections.
There is no timeline for the opening of Piston’s Peak at Magic Kingdom, but most insiders think the new land will open sometime in 2028. Disney has not announced any further information on the work being done on Villain’s Land, which was announced at the D23 Expo in 2024; however, nothing new has come out since.
Aerial overview of demolition at Tom Sawyer Island.
• A windmill previously at top center.
• Aunt Polly's was at bottom center.
• A Mill or water wheel at left. pic.twitter.com/JmCaVLlsb1
Today, it’s the official end of Tom Sawyer Island as fans wait for Piston’s Peak to overtake Magic Kingdom.
What do you think of Disney completing the demolition of Tom Sawyer Island? Let us know in the comments.
in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World
Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.
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