Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is undergoing significant transformations with the permanent closure of the Rivers of America to pave the way for a new area themed around Pixar’s Cars and a Disney Villains-inspired land. This expansion is the largest in Magic Kingdom’s history, according to Disney. Alongside the ongoing demolition of the Rivers of America, there has also been a notable update on Cool Ship in Tomorrowland as part of a complete refresh of the kiosk.
Updates to Rivers of America Site
After a partial refill of the Rivers of America last week caused by heavy rainfall, the river has been drained again. Since our last update on September 10, 2025, we have also observed new concrete blocks around the site, wooden boards placed under the scaffolding, and the appearance of a new construction wall.
Concrete blocks have now been placed on the riverbed in front of the former Aunt Polly’s Dockside Inn restaurant, located directly across from the riverboat landing dock. In our past update, we had only observed a small number of blocks in front of the dock at Tom Sawyer Island.
Additionally, many of the scaffolding base plates are now placed on wooden boards, likely to provide a more level surface and enhanced stability. Previously, all the bases were only supported by the riverbed.
Concrete blocks have also been placed under some of the scaffolding.
Recently, a construction wall has been set up along the riverbed adjacent to the boardwalk that spans in front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
We observed a significant accumulation of rocks and pebbles on the riverbed right next to the boardwalk by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This section of the riverbed was only dirt and the concrete riverbed itself before.
Puddles of water are still present on the riverbed, as expected, so pumps remain on-site to remove any water from the river.
In the distance, fencing is seen blocking off a small area of the riverbed on the left side of the photo below; its purpose isn’t entirely clear, but it is probably there for safety reasons. Additionally, on the right side of the photo, you can spot vehicles on the opposite side of the river, including one from Sunbelt Rentals. Some of the equipment present on site, such as lighting and pumps, belongs to Sunbelt Rentals.
New Cool Ship Kiosk
In Tomorrowland, Disney is updating the Cool Ship snack kiosk. The location closed in May 2025, and the kiosk was dismantled shortly after. A new kiosk has now been installed, showcasing a design that aligns more closely with Tomorrowland’s current aesthetics.
For your reference, here is an image of the kiosk prior to its refurbishment.
The Walt Disney World website states that Cool Ship is expected to reopen later this year, but a precise reopening date is not available.
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