This is what Imagineers hope the Rivers of America will look like when it reopens

Today marks the beginning of numerous closures at the Disneyland Resort, including the ones that will happen to begin demolition and early construction for the new Star Wars-themed land.

Among those closures are the Rivers of America, the Disneyland Railroad, and all of the Big Thunder Ranch, toward the northwest corner of the park. As what was rumored, the river’s path will be altered heavily to make way for the 14-acre Lucasfilm area.

According to the concept art that was released today, we get a glimpse at what Imagineers hope the River will look like once it reopens. It does confirm a shortening of the River, which apparently will wrap around directly behind Fort Wilderness on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It also appears that the Native American village will be repositioned on the riverfront.

The other biggest change to the River is how the Disneyland Railroad’s path will change. Like it does currently, the new path for the Railroad will follow the path of the River. The trains will travel over a new elevated trestle, past some waterfalls, and continue on to the Mickey’s Toontown Depot station.

Disneyland’s Star Wars-themed land will be located in the area behind where the train is traveling in the concept art.

Of course, we must remember that this is only concept art and is subject to change or look different from the final product. We’ll get to see what new stories the River will tell when it reopens.

No reopening date has been announced yet, but sources say no less than one year.

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