Re-do: Tom Sawyer's Island
So, I've been thinking a lot about Tom Sawyer Island lately. Its no secret that the island is a problem child for Disney. It takes up a lot of real estate, its hard to get to, and it lacks a real draw that would encourage guests to visit. So, I wanted to challenge myself to fix TSI, without taking the Disney way out and filling in the river. Here is my concept:
Camp Woodchuck
For starters, we need to swap out the Tom Sawyer IP. Its not relevant to today's youth and really only lives on as required reading in High School. I considered several options but ultimately landed on the Junior Woodchucks from the Donald Duck comics and, more notably, Ducktales. Integrating classic Disney characters would make this area of the park more attractive to families.
New Layout
I am going to shorten the River and cut the island in half. I don't see any good way to leave it as is if Disney wants to use the expansion pad to the north of Haunted Mansion. The image below shows my proposal. I kept the initial loop of the river and added a bridge between the raft docks, as well as connecting the island to to the northern expansion plot. This retains the island's peaceful ambiance while making it easier to get to.
Liberty Belle
Unfortunately, adding bridges does mean the Liberty Bell will no longer be able to make its loop. Instead, it will be permanently docked in Liberty Square, where it will serve as a seating area (and great parade viewing).
Explorer Canoes
With the Liberty Bell no longer voyaging around the river, there is an opening for this attraction to return. The explorer canoes would add kinetic energy to the river, while being small enough to pass under the bridges. They would load from the island, roughly where Huck's Landing is currently located.
Challenge Trails
On the East side of the Island, guests will be able to harness up and see if they've got what it takes to be a Senior Woodchuck by taking the Woodchuck Challenge. This would be an American version of Shanghai's
Challenge Trails. I don't know how the capacity works on these things, but there is precedent to have a ropes course in a Disney Park and I think this is the perfect opportunity to bring something really unique to MK.
Meet & Greets
The main draw for this area would be Magic Kingdom's dedicated Meet & Greet space for Troop Leaders Donald & Daisy Duck, Harper's Lodge. Replacing Harper's Mill, this Meet and Greet space would look like a rustic cabin, similar to classic Fort Wilderness. But Donald and Daisy aren't the only ducks on the island. If you're lucky, you may encounter Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack on the search for ancient treasure near Rosa Cave (a redressed Injun Joe's Cave).
Dining
Aunt Polly's would be rethemed to Carl's Canteen. Named for legendary comic artist Carl Barks, this restaurant would serve campsite staples such as Hot Dogs and Sandwiches.
