Fort Langhorn Escape Tunnel

[Prototype82]

I read a report about the escape tunnel being boarded up on Tom Sawyer Island. Is this temporary or is it the likely result of lawyer worries? This is kind of depressing.

Also, can anyone confirm if this happened before or after the Boston bombings? Disney likes to be risky, within reason, by giving guests play equipment. I surely can't see how this feature would be any worse.

 

[asianway]

Parkscope blog says it was closed in Jan

 

[Prototype82]

Parkscope blog says it was closed in Jan

Thanks for the info.

 

[PeterMarcus]

I was there in late March/early April and it was open. My kids love that tunnel. I haven't been back since then, though.

 

[Fractal514]

It was definitely open the last week of January, my son and I went through it.

 

[meyeet]

It was open at the end of February as well.

 

[Timekeeper]

There always seems to be a lack of CM presence on the island. Elsewhere in the park, there always seems to be a CM within any 50 foot radius. On the island, if a child were to sustain a serious injury while playing, there may be a significant delay in receiving the appropriate response. Maybe that's why this is where the kids often go to smoke.

 

[yellowb]

We were there the second week of April and it was closed. I thought it was because we were there close to the island shutting down for the day, but it would be a shame if it is permanently closed.

 

[JLipnick]

Wow! As many times as I have been to WDW, I have never even known that this existed. Is it a way to the island without taking the boat? Where is it located? We haven't actually done the Tom Sawyer island at all for the last few years as they are not handicap friendly and my son uses a walker.

 

[yellowb]

Wow! As many times as I have been to WDW, I have never even known that this existed. Is it a way to the island without taking the boat? Where is it located? We haven't actually done the Tom Sawyer island at all for the last few years as they are not handicap friendly and my son uses a walker.

No, it is a back exit to the fort that brings you out on the Haunted Mansion side of the island.

 

[bethymouse]

Well darn! I hope it's not closed for good.

 

[disney fan 13]

Yee just did an article on it, it's closed

 

[meyeet]

Yee just did an article on it, it's closed

any reasons why?

 

[Prototype82]

Yee just did an article on it, it's closed

Mhm. I discovered this there.

 

[Prototype82]

How about the other tunnels??? The fort tunnel was open last time I was there in Feb.

I can't think they'd ever close Injun Joe's Cave and the mine. If they did, Tom Sawyer Island would just be an ordinary island. But who knows with Disney?

 

[MichWolv]

I can't think they'd ever close Injun Joe's Cave and the mine. If they did, Tom Sawyer Island would just be an ordinary island. But who knows with Disney?

At Disneyland, the fort is closed and the island survives.

 

[Can we go yet?]

Yee just did an article on it, it's closed

for good? :c

 

[Prototype82]

At Disneyland, the fort is closed and the island survives.

That's not what I meant. Injun Joe's Cave and the Mine are iconic parts of the story that make Tom Sawyer's island his island...

 

[MichWolv]

That's not what I meant. Injun Joe's Cave and the Mine are iconic parts of the story that make Tom Sawyer's island his island...

True indeed, but at Disneyland, they closed the fort and had pirate stuff take over the caves and the rest of the island, and it still works. I find it odd that they still call it "Tom Sawyer's Island", but it does work.

Unfortunately, I don't think Tom Sawyer resonates at all with kids, and doesn't resonate much with adults younger than me (44). So at this point, the island is just an island to run around on with some caves, and fort, and some steps, and a couple bridges to walk across. Closing more stuff would make the island less interesting because there'd be less to do, but the loss of a the tie to Tom Sawyer would probably not be a big deal.

 

[Kristamouse]

This isn't the place, but IMHO, Disney needs to do more for boys and Tom and Huck are perfect. While the books are incredible they are not for grade school children to read. Which is part of the reason kids, 12 and under might wonder who Tom is, they aren't old enough to read about him from Twain, yet. As a Mom to a very Tom like 9 year old boy, outside playing, bath hating, fishing all the time boy, he would love a non lame movie or heck Disney Channel show about Tom and Huck. My son loves Disney and will tolerate the Princesses for his sisters sake but I think there needs to be more for him. Heck, Frontier Land has most of the merchandise...oh dear am picturing boys pelting poor CM's with popcorn from sling shots, ok maby not all merch...