Former Ride // updated 2025.07.07
Liberty Square · Magic Kingdom · Walt Disney World
Former Ride · the memorial record
Also known as Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat, Richard F. Irvine Riverboat.
This ride is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.
◆ Most recent chapter
The Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently after its final voyages on July 6, 2025; the Rivers of America was drained to build the Cars-themed Piston Peak expansion.
Disney announced the Rivers of America and its riverboat would close to make way for a Cars-themed Frontierland expansion (later revealed as Piston Peak).
The Liberty Belle received a complete overhaul that included the installation of a new boiler.
The Liberty Belle hosted 'Tiana's Showboat Jubilee,' a limited-run live show promoting The Princess and the Frog, staged aboard the boat from October 26, 2009 through January 3, 2010.
The Liberty Belle underwent an extensive rehabilitation running from September 2005, returning to service in September 2006.
The Richard F. Irvine was completely rebuilt and returned as the Liberty Belle, with everything except the hull, boiler, and engines stripped and an all-new aluminum-and-vinyl superstructure constructed.
The Admiral Joe Fowler was destroyed when it was dropped from a crane during a dry-dock overhaul and was broken up for scrap; the park chose not to replace it, leaving the Richard F. Irvine as the attraction's sole vessel.
A second sternwheeler, the Richard F. Irvine, entered service on the Rivers of America, named for the Disney executive who oversaw Walt Disney World's planning, giving the attraction two operating riverboats.
Liberty Square Riverboat opened one day after Magic Kingdom's debut, cruising the Rivers of America aboard the steam-powered sternwheeler Admiral Joe Fowler, named for the Navy rear admiral who oversaw Disney park construction.
Per the documented record, Liberty Square Riverboat (Liberty Belle) at Magic Kingdom opened on Oct 2, 1971.
The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Liberty Square Riverboat (Liberty Belle) is dated Jul 7, 2025: The Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently after its final voyages on July 6, 2025; the Rivers of America was drained to build the Cars-themed Piston Peak expansion.
The latest documented change (documented Jul 7, 2025): The Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently after its final voyages on July 6, 2025; the Rivers of America was drained to build the Cars-themed Piston Peak expansion.
9 documented changes, dating back to 1971 — the fan-kept ride changelog nobody else keeps.
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