Saving the Liberty Belle: Turn It Into a Wedding/Event Venue on Seven Seas Lagoon!

[Divine Disney]

Hi everyone! Like so many of you, I’m still reeling from the Liberty Belle Riverboat’s final cruise on July 6, 2025. The Rivers of America just isn’t the same without that iconic paddlewheel churning through Magic Kingdom. I know the Cars expansion is exciting, but losing the Liberty Belle stings. I can’t bear the thought of this piece of Walt’s vision being lost, so I have an idea to keep it alive, and I’d love your thoughts and support!

My Proposal: Transform the Liberty Belle into a rentable venue for weddings, private parties, and corporate events on Seven Seas Lagoon and/or Bay Lake. Picture this: a couple exchanging vows on the top deck with Cinderella Castle sparkling in the distance, or a company hosting a gala under the stars, surrounded by the beauty of Disney’s resort waters. By making the boat seaworthy for open waters, Disney could preserve its 54-year legacy, create unforgettable guest experiences, and generate revenue through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and event services. Yes, I'm aware it runs on a track. However, it generates it's own power and the investment on making it able to steer and be water tight would easily be returned with the revenue from events/weddings. Even if it costs many millions of dollars. The ROI would likely be returned in 5 years or less. Even if it was $20M to get it to a point of operating on Bay Lake.

Why I Think This Could Work:
Preserving History: The Liberty Belle is a symbol of Americana and Walt’s love for transportation. Keeping it operational honors Magic Kingdom’s roots.
Guest Appeal: Disney fans and event planners would jump at the chance to book a unique, nostalgic venue. It’s a perfect fit for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. Think passed hors d'oeuvres and champagne so minimal changes would need to be made to the vessel.
Financial Sense: Event rentals could offset the cost of refurbishing the boat for Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake, making it a smart investment for Disney.

Thematic Magic: A steamboat venue aligns with Disney’s storytelling, offering a romantic, historical backdrop for celebrations.

How We Can Make This Happen:
Contact Disney: Let’s flood Guest Relations with this idea! Email WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com or use the feedback form at disneyworld.disney.go.com (under “Help”). I’ve already drafted an email and can share it if anyone wants a template.

Spread the Word: Post on social, tagging @WaltDisneyWorld, with #LibertyBelle and #DisneyWeddings. Let’s get this trending!
Petition?: If enough of us love this idea, I’m happy to start a Change.org petition to show Disney the fan support. Who’s in?
Brainstorm: Any tweaks or additions? Maybe theme the venue to Princess and the Frog for a New Orleans vibe, or add character dining events? This could be a way to keep its magic alive for future generations.

What do you all think—would you book an event on the Liberty Belle? Any other ideas for saving it? Thanks for letting me share my dream—let’s make Disney listen!~

P.S. If anyone’s been to a Disney wedding or event, how do you think the Liberty Belle could fit into that experience? I’d love to hear your stories!

 

[DL1WDW2]

I love that Disney Dream .
Mine is even bigger.
That very first Disney Cruise Ship was originally called “ The Big Red Boat”
Disney purchased it ( second hand info from relative that was onboard during that first cruise adventure)…I wantDisney to retire it and convert it to a DVC moored at Castaway Cay for overnight stay.
Obviously not going to ever happen for so many environmental reasons plus cost.

I just walked around the entire Tom Sawyer Island except for the parts that were already closed off. I think they gave commerative wrist bands to guests on last day .
I watched the Liberty Belle pass but the heat was too strong for that slow journey.
I will miss the voice of Mark Twain announcing depth water levels.
But I understand the decision .
The original woodwork is very splintered & rotting away .
I guess it is time for new adventure.

 

[Dug720]

That very first Disney Cruise Ship was originally called “ The Big Red Boat”
Disney purchased it ( second hand info from relative that was onboard during that first cruise adventure)…I wantDisney to retire it and convert it to a DVC moored at Castaway Cay for overnight stay.
Obviously not going to ever happen for so many environmental reasons plus cost.

Disney did NOT own that ship (the SS Oceanic) - they partnered with Premier Cruises. And when that partnership ended, Premier partnered with Warner Bros.

And the ship was scrapped in 2012 so she does not exist anymore.

 

[Dave006]

By making the boat seaworthy for open waters, Disney could preserve its 54-year legacy, create unforgettable guest experiences, and generate revenue through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and event services.

This will never happen, sorry. The Liberty Belle Riverboat is not a fully powered vehicle. It is designed to run on a track just like the Monorails. It is only able to go forward or backward.

Dave

 

[scrappinginontario]

This will never happen, sorry. The Liberty Belle Riverboat is not a fully powered vehicle. It is designed to run on a track just like the Monorails. It is only able to go forward or backward.

Dave

Thank you. This was my thought but I was not positive so didn’t want to publish it. I do remember seeing the track when portions of the river were drained at different times.

 

[lovethattink]

Track was my first thought as well. But thought maybe my memory was wrong.

 

[Dave006]

Thank you. This was my thought but I was not positive so didn’t want to publish it. I do remember seeing the track when portions in the river was drained at different times.

Blogmickey posted an article yesterday about how the Liberty Belle is moved around at WDW: https://blogmickey.com/2025/07/how-does-disney-transport-the-liberty-belle-riverboat/

Dave

 

[Divine Disney]

This will never happen, sorry. The Liberty Belle Riverboat is not a fully powered vehicle. It is designed to run on a track just like the Monorails. It is only able to go forward or backward.

Dave

It runs on it's own power however it cannot steer and is not water tight where it would need to be so yes it would need refurbishment. However, the return on investment would be there even if it was a multi-million dollar endeavor because of it being an event venue. This is the only way I see Disney putting any more dollars into it. It has to have a ROI to justify it's refurbishment and it's maintenance.

 

[HopperFan]

Been saying this since rumors of demise started. It needs to be preserved but what is best way. Disney needs more wedding/event location options. It can not be a moving ship it would need a permanent dock.

My thoughts have been ~

~ Permanently dock it between WL and the new DVC.
~ Driveway would be off W Wilderness Rd
~ Build a parking lot south of the trail
~ OR guests can walk on the Wilderness Nature Path from either hotel
~ Build bathrooms and maybe wedding suite for getting ready
~ Build a catering kitchen where food can be brought in and readied
~ Maybe build an open air or glass chapel to feel the nature
~ Retrofit the ship to handle receptions and even small ceremonies
~ Make it work for events and conferences
~ Make it part of Disney Meeting & Events, with connect to Disney Weddings

 

[ShaneDJ]

...it would need refurbishment. However, the return on investment would be there even if it was a multi-million dollar endeavor because of it being an event venue.

...yes it would need refurbishment...However, the return on investment would be there even if it was a multi-million dollar endeavor because of it being an event venue.

Are you sure??

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wonder-since Disney is demolishing TSI, a great place for kids to burn off energy/blow off steam; and the Dinoland playground is going away (my DGDs favorite attraction), I wish there were a way to find a permanent spot for the Riverboat, and turn it into a playground. Add some ropes, maybe slides, rope bridges, etc. But I haven't figured out how to prevent kids from launching themselves from the top deck out into the universe.

 

[muppets3d]

It's probably going to be splintered. It's really too small to be used as a restaurant or other venue and who would want to get married on that boat vs. the wedding pavilion at Grand Floridian or in Magic Kingdom itself?

 

[elvispursley]

I wonder-since Disney is demolishing TSI, a great place for kids to burn off energy/blow off steam; and the Dinoland playground is going away (my DGDs favorite attraction), I wish there were a way to find a permanent spot for the Riverboat, and turn it into a playground. Add some ropes, maybe slides, rope bridges, etc. But I haven't figured out how to prevent kids from launching themselves from the top deck out into the universe.

The Dinoland Dig Site isn’t going away. It’s going to be returned so there will still be some place for kids to burn off energy (at least at AKL).

 

[HopperFan]

The Dinoland Dig Site isn’t going away. It’s going to be returned so there will still be some place for kids to burn off energy (at least at AKL).

Sounds like the Dig Site will be gone. When the new land opens there will be some kind of play space???? ? But not at AKL?

PER DISNEY
When is the Boneyard closing?​

There’s still time for another excavation (or two). The Boneyard will still be open and welcoming little archeologists to play daily before September 2, 2025.

Will there be a kids play area in the new land? ​

Yes! Tropical Americas will include a new themed play area for kids visiting Pueblo Esperanza.

 

[elvispursley]

Huh? Yes the dig site is going away and yes there will be a themed play area in the extinct dig site. Confused why your saying, but not at ALL?”?? I must be missing something

 

[lovethattink]

Huh? Yes the dig site is going away and yes there will be a themed play area in the extinct dig site. Confused why your saying, but not at ALL?”?? I must be missing something

I think AKL was a typo

 

[Scalemaster34]

It would fit the Theming over at Port Orleans Resort... but just as a stationary object on the Sassagoula River.

 

[HopperFan]

The Dinoland Dig Site isn’t going away. It’s going to be returned so there will still be some place for kids to burn off energy (at least at AKL).

Sounds like the Dig Site will be gone. When the new land opens there will be some kind of play space???? ? But not at AKL?

Huh? Yes the dig site is going away and yes there will be a themed play area in the extinct dig site. Confused why your saying, but not at ALL?”?? I must be missing something

You were talking about the Dig Site is not going away ... at least at AKL.

I said it is going away but the land will have another play space, in new location ... but not at AKL.

Didn't say ALL, said AKL just referring to your AKL.

 

[imbelle]

Since Tiana's Bayou Adventure is right there, I would have the riverboat permanently docked and used as a Tiana/New Orleans themed venue/lounge for mint juleps, beignets, things that wouldn't require a full kitchen.

 

[Dave006]

Since Tiana's Bayou Adventure is right there, I would have the riverboat permanently docked and used as a Tiana/New Orleans themed venue/lounge for mint juleps, beignets, things that wouldn't require a full kitchen.

Where would the Liberty Bell dock? Rivers of America is being drained and there is no water connection via water between it and Tiana's water way.

Dave