For decades, the Liberty Belle Riverboat has transported guests through the heart of Liberty Square along the picturesque Rivers of America. With the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island closing soon for Cars Land and Villains Land, now is the time to embark on one final voyage โ a poignant farewell to a Magic Kingdom original and arguably its most tranquil and storied experiences.
All Aboard the Liberty Belle
As guests begin their journey on the Liberty Belle, they are greeted by a crew led by Captain Horace Bixby and his pilot, Sam Clemensโa nod to Mark Twainโs real-life days as a Mississippi River pilot. From the start, the voyage embraced an authentic, story-driven atmosphere.
โWelcome aboard the Liberty Belle!โ Captain Bixby would announce, as the boat began its journey. โSam knows this river like his own backyard. Sam, tell our guests everything you know about this river.โ
What follows is a mix of humor and history, with Samโs heartfelt reflections setting the tone for an immersive experience. โI love this river more than anything else,โ Sam would say. โIโve loved this river, even from the time I was a toddler back in Missouri.โ
The Rivers of America: Stories Along the Shoreline
Every turn along the Rivers of America offers a story, narrated with wit and charm by Sam Clemens. Here are some highlights:
- Frontierland: โThat river town weโre passinโ is Frontierland. A few years back, it was no more than a boomtown, carved out of the wilderness by settlers lookinโ to start a new life.โ
- Tom Sawyer Island: โThat island on the starboard side was my stompinโ grounds when I was young. Marvelously young! Itโs called Tom Sawyerโs Island, named for a friend from my boyhood.โ
- Big Thunder Mountain: โThatโs Big Thunder Mountain pokinโ up in the sky. The miners and prospectors named it for the sound of blastinโ powder goinโ off every few minutes.โ
- The Haunted Mansion: โSee that brick mansion back over yonder? Folks hereabouts say itโs haunted. If you ask me, Iโd say the ones tellinโ those tales are the ones filled with spirits.โ
Every landmark added depth and character to the journey, blending humor, history, and folklore into a seamless narrative.
Preserving the Magic and Looking Ahead
With Cars Land and Villains Land on the horizon, the Liberty Belle Riverboat and its journey through the Rivers of America will become a cherished memory.
While we bid farewell to the Liberty Belle and the Rivers of America, the future promises new adventures. Cars Land will bring the high-octane excitement of Radiator Springs, while Villains Land will immerse guests in the world of Disneyโs most iconic rogues. These additions will redefine the Magic Kingdom experience while honoring the parkโs legacy of storytelling.
Letโs honor the past as we embrace the futureโtogether.
