Tom Sawyer Island appreciation thread

Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
What the heck, it deserves it. For the life of me I never understand the flack that this attraction can get. A couple of years ago I was disappointed that we didn't get over there because it was right around dusk. I love it over there. It is the epitome of Frontierland. How different would Frontierland look without it? The combination of the island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat going around it make it such a lovely attraction. Great place to take a break from the crowds for a bit. The line is never long to get over there, you always basically get on the next boat that arrives, or raft I guess.

I love the caves over there, I like exploring and I like finding all of the nooks and crannies around there. Or seeing the rest of the park from the island is always neat. Thunder Mountain is a nice view from the Island, the Haunted Mansion too. Seeing the rest of Frontierland from that angle is neat too. Then there are the bridges to walk across and I love the "fort" at the top of the island too. So much to poke around in there and to see. I don't know why anyone complains about it. I think the reason they made Camp Jurassic at Universal's Islands of Adventure is to have an answer for something like this.

Anyway, classic attraction, has been there since 1972 if I remember correctly.
 
O

Orangeanna

Active Member
Just discussing this last night while at the MK. My kids, 8 and 10 were disappointed it was closed while still daylight. I love Tom Sawyer island. I would love nothing more than to see a day where it gets the attention it deserves. I live in fear of the day they take it down. It's such an organic attraction(If there is such a thing). A place where non-scripted fun can be had. A place where kids and adults can run free and explore. My late husband proposed to me inside a cave there. We celebrated our last anniversary there before he died at age 38. I wish it was open longer every day and not closed for such extended periods. I'd like to see more ways to get there but then I suppose there may a capacity and safety issue. How do you evacuate the island in case of emergency ( like 9/11 or a fire)?
 
dodgr98

dodgr98

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I had never been to it (been going since I was a kid in the '70's) until we checked it out during our 2009 trip. My wife had taken our 11 month old daughter to meet Minnie Mouse so that gave us the opportunity. My two boys and I had a blast. They loved the fort with the guns and cannons. I loved seeing the pure joy in their faces, it made me feel like I was a kid again.
 
RobWDW1971

RobWDW1971

Well-Known Member
Big Phil said:
What the heck, it deserves it. For the life of me I never understand the flack that this attraction can get. A couple of years ago I was disappointed that we didn't get over there because it was right around dusk. I love it over there. It is the epitome of Frontierland. How different would Frontierland look without it? The combination of the island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat going around it make it such a lovely attraction. Great place to take a break from the crowds for a bit. The line is never long to get over there, you always basically get on the next boat that arrives, or raft I guess.

I love the caves over there, I like exploring and I like finding all of the nooks and crannies around there. Or seeing the rest of the park from the island is always neat. Thunder Mountain is a nice view from the Island, the Haunted Mansion too. Seeing the rest of Frontierland from that angle is neat too. Then there are the bridges to walk across and I love the "fort" at the top of the island too. So much to poke around in there and to see. I don't know why anyone complains about it. I think the reason they made Camp Jurassic at Universal's Islands of Adventure is to have an answer for something like this.

Anyway, classic attraction, has been there since 1972 if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...

Always a must do to get some classic Disney "immersion" and it's such a nice contrast to the rest of the park. Also, I've unfortunately had to do work while on vacation over the years and it's my go to "conference room" with the tables and chairs overlooking the Mansion - great place for a quiet phone call and you get shade and a decent cel signal!
 
BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
Under appreciated, for sure.

i.php
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
We always make several visits to TSI during our time at WDW. It fits into the Fontier theme perfectly. I think those who dis the island see it as a non-thrill area that isnt worth their journey across the water. I love the quaint olde mill, exploring the escape tunnels & caves, seeing the fort with its jail, blacksmith shop and wandering the pathways that lead over the barrel bridges. Just because it doesnt provide a jostling ride doesnt mean it has no worth. I hope I never see the day when someone has the bright idea to "fix" the area.
 
Heppenheimer

Heppenheimer

Well-Known Member
In designing a place for kids to run off some steam (and adults to rest), based on literature's most famous rambunctious pre-teen, Walt Disney shows himself once again to be a visionary. I simply can't imagine such a wonderful attraction making it off the drawing board in today's corporate culture.

Last time I visited, though, the bottomless hole in one of the caves needed some work. Too many coins killed the illusion.
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
RobWDW1971 said:
I find that sign to be a triggering example of cis-gender societal roles and exclusionary to other relationship constructs and hyper toxic masculinity void of the person's expressed consent.

/s
Click to expand...

I was going to say I was offended by that sign too, I just hadn't quite figured out yet HOW to be offended over it! ;)

(I hope everyone has their sarcasm detectors on)

Pooh.sHoneyHuntTDL said:
I love this place. Just afraid that B Iger and Disney Corp will tear it down since it's not being maximized.
Click to expand...

I don't see how you can. It would drastically change that section of the park. Gone would be Liberty Belle Riverboats as well without an Island. Yeah, it should never happen.
 
Smiley/OCD

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
We always love going over to TSI at least once while we're in the MK...my 2 DD's miss the paint brushes though. I wish they were back and Aunt Polly's open on a regular basis. I do feel, eventually, that the powers that be see TSI as a negative ROI, with that big footprint. They will convert the Liberty Belle to a restaurant, dock it permanently, build a bridge over the Rivers of America and develop that land. I hope it never happens, but sadly, I think it's only a matter of time.
 

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