As this settles in, I think the nostalgia argument
@johnparkhopper asked is what finally has been anchored here. WDW is there for people with nostalgia about Disney films, especially those that sell merch. The move of Parks under the commercial area of the company played the biggest role. If you are part of the guard who enjoyed the consistent theme, original creations, etc., you're money is welcome - but you (and your nostalgia) is not the focus. It is fully expendable. The company wants the nostalgia of people with kids who love the movie characters and buy the merch/themed food (at least at WDW).
This is a focusing of the audience. And, I can see the financial benefit of it. The one-time visitors won't care regardless and are probably expecting a lot of Disney character references. The people they want visiting over and over are DVC, those who buy character merch, and those who love the IP attractions. And, they are now actively sacrificing the "old" nostalgia.
I realize this isn't anything new... and water (even when removed) is still wet. It's more the clarity of just how far they plan to take this.
And, I should say, I am growing to accept the removal of the river. I wouldn't mind it if the new area was done well. If they were using the land as a way to properly stitch together that area ala Fantasy Springs or the like. I could envision a Frontier Land with "Critter Bayou", "Thunder Mesa" and "Wilderness Pass". Or, they could create a mountain range that traversed America in some way, taking the idea of the RoA upward. I could even get behind making Frontierland into Critter Bayou and creating a New Frontierland out of the remnants of Liberty Square plus this new area (Mansion going to Fantasyland like in Tokyo.) But, the goal should be making better sense of the area. Not finding a vehicle for a popular IP and trying to shoehorn it in. New Fantasyland worked well for this. Other lands less so. I don't want Frontierland to become the next World Discovery or Tomorrowland. But, that's what we're getting... And I think we're just going to get more of that in coming decisions.
Sorry for the rant. This one is just many of the straws. Before, I was angry. Now, going to Disney and spending money on dinner and the like just feels like it's not worth it any more. There's a time when you realize you just aren't welcome as the audience any longer.