David KrisoAs summer winds down, the anticipation at the Walt Disney Company is heating up. CEO Bob Iger and Disney’s parks and resorts chairman Josh D’Amaro unveiled the expansion plans for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. There are some exciting new expansion projects coming, including one which has Disney fans all over feeling uneasy. Dinoland USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be reimagined and transformed into the new Tropical Americas Village. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a new Monsters Inc. themed area will be added, featuring Disney’s first ever suspended roller coaster. At the Magic Kingdom, however, the pristine waters of the Rivers of America will be drained and filled in? A new Cars themed land is on the drawing board to replace the most peaceful and serene area of the park. Unfortunately, looking forward, this approach to constructing a new themed land is completely wrong. Why?
The Rivers of America has been a part of the Magic Kingdom since day one. The Rivers of America bonds two themed lands together; Frontierland and Liberty Square. Speaking of rivers, the storytelling in both guest areas flows beautifully. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason why this gem of an attraction should be demolished and redeveloped. All that Walt Disney Imagineering needs to do is consider an alternative location for the new Cars themed land. As opposed to draining and filling in the Rivers of America, where should it be built? As the Walt Disney World Railroad trains leave the Frontierland station, they pass over a bridge and through a heavily wooded area. There, the new Cars themed land can be constructed. The trains can pass right through the action. Why not? It’s feasible, sensible, and plausible.
What about the beautiful Liberty Belle riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island? Tom Sawyer Island, along with the Rivers of America will be demolished. This is what makes the construction plans utmost neglectful and tragic. Walt Disney himself, embraced the past. He clearly said that the past is the key to our present and future, and learning about our past is vital. Demolishing such a jewel of an attraction is like desecrating a temple. Removing the Liberty Belle and the Rivers of America all-together is erasing our history. Erasing history has been the horrific habit which people throughout the country believe is the answer to problems. Erasing history is not the answer. It only pours gasoline on the fire of instability.
So, what can be done with Tom Sawyer Island? Tom Sawyer Island pays tribute to two of the most iconic characters in American literature. Further, they were imagined by one of the greatest novelists in American history, Mark Twain. In his early years, Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot. The Liberty Belle is a colorful reminder of that. The Liberty Belle is a welcoming sight to all guests as she’s seen sailing the Rivers of America. It doesn’t have to be removed. “Cancel culture” is cancerous. Demolishing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island is the epidemy of “cancel culture”. If Mark Twain isn’t important anymore, what is? Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro, and the talented wizards at Walt Disney Imagineering should put on their “thinking ears” and “dig a little deeper”. Tom Sawyer Island should be re-themed to the story of Pochahontas. Why not? It was a popular animated classic film, that told the story of a legendary Native American woman. As Walt Disney once said, “If we can dream it, we can do it!”.
With summer nearing its conclusion, a new era is about to take shape in the heart of Florida. Walt Disney World, as millions have witnessed, will never be completed. New attractions and ideas are always being introduced. However, it is not a wise idea for the talented minds at the Walt Disney Company to remove two of the most iconic and most original attractions in the Magic Kingdom. The Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island, along with the Liberty Belle, are among the greatest of all originals constructed by Walt Disney’s legendary team back in the hay day. Avid Disney travelers and Disney fans alike need to speak up to preserve these Disney icons. All it takes is to write a persuasive letter to Jeff Wahle; President, Walt Disney World Resort; P.O. Box 10000; Lake Buena Vista, FL; 32830-1000. Like honoring history, The Rivers of America, the Liberty Belle, and Tom Sawyer Island should be embraced, not replaced.
