Dear Liberty Belle

As you prepare to make your final voyage along the Rivers of America, I wanted to take a moment to thank you—for the memories, the magic, and the many peaceful moments you've offered guests since Walt Disney World first opened its gates.

You’ve always been more than just a riverboat. You were a floating time machine, gently gliding through the heart of Liberty Square, reminding us of a simpler, more gracious time in American history. Your steam whistle echoed with the spirit of exploration, and your paddle wheel turned with the rhythm of tradition. From your white banisters to your waving flags, every inch of you was a testament to Mr. Disney’s dream of honoring the past while dreaming of the future.

I remember the first time I boarded your deck. The air was thick with Florida sunshine and the distant scent of popcorn, but stepping onto your wooden planks felt like entering a different era. You didn’t rush me. You didn’t dazzle me with thrills or spectacle. Instead, you offered something rarer—a gentle, gliding moment of calm in a park full of excitement. A moment to breathe. To remember. To feel.

Generations of families, including mine, have walked your decks. Children pressed their noses to your railings, enchanted by the animatronic scenes unfolding on your riverbanks. Couples found quiet moments aboard your upper deck, soaking in the serenity between the hustle of thrill rides. And for those of us who return to Magic Kingdom year after year, you were a symbol of continuity—a reassuring constant in a world that moves all too quickly.

And oh, how many memories you carry. First visits. Last visits. Little hands in big ones, all eyes wide with wonder. You were the background to countless photographs, marriage proposals, and the much-needed pause between adventures.

You were never the loudest attraction. Never the flashiest. But you were among the most beloved.

I understand that progress is part of the Disney story. New chapters must be written, and new dreams must set sail. But saying goodbye to you feels like saying goodbye to a trusted friend. You carried me not just around an island, but into a frame of mind—one of reflection, wonder, and calm.

So, thank you, Liberty Belle. Thank you for every peaceful turn, every echo of your whistle across the water, every moment you helped me slow down and remember why I fell in love with Disney in the first place.

You will always have a home in my heart, moored forever in memory.

With deepest affection and lasting gratitude,

Julee