Closing soon: Tom Sawyer Island in July, Rip Ride Rockit in August
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have revealed the final days of operation for a handful of attractions at Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios theme parks. They’ll all be unavailable by the end of summer.
The last day to experience Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America will be July 7. Those attractions opened in 1973, about 18 months after Magic Kingdom first opened.
The final day to ride Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal will be Aug. 17. The thrill ride debuted in 2009.
These shutdowns were previously announced, but a precise closing date was not announced until this week.
Two “Cars”-themed rides are going into the Tom Sawyer Island area as part of an expansion of Frontierland. Disney announced some theming based on the (fictional) Piston Peak National Park. “Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar ‘Cars’ universe,” according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog. Trees will be a natural barrier between the “Cars” attractions and other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square, the Disney post said.