Tom Sawyer Island Poll

[Yellow Shoes]

Although I like it, and my kids loved it, I do feel that it could be much better. It is one of those things I can't put my finger on.

Perhaps it started when they discontinued the paintbrush routine (Tom Sawyer dropped his paintbrush(es) on the island. If you found one and gave it to a CM, you got a prize).

Little things like that make it so much more than a playground.

 

[diegorivera2]

sanjhooker response

Yes; that makes perfect sense.

 

[Imagineer Jer]

Originally posted by diegorivera2
Have you visited Tom Sawyer's Island in the past 5 years? What do you think Disney should do with this area of the Magic Kingdom? Keep it as is? Revamp the area?

Hey!
I have never been there? Is the Island cool?? Wait, is it at Magic kingdom in florida?

 

[christopher]

I havent been on it since I was a kid, but I do remember really ejouying it. But for some reason, whenever I go back to WDW, I pass on it.

 

[dopey]

I'm with Yellow Shoes on this one. It does seem like a waste of time and money, but, what the heck, it's OK with me if that's what makes the kids happy. And that's what it's all about.

On a similar note, my son told me the other day that the one thing he wants to do when we go back to Disney World -- besides ride Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin -- is play in the big sandbox. It took me a minute to realize that he was referring to Dino Dig in Animal Kindgom. I'm thinking, "We've got a sandbox in the freakin' backyard!" Sigh.

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by dopey


On a similar note, my son told me the other day that the one thing he wants to do when we go back to Disney World -- besides ride Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin -- is play in the big sandbox. It took me a minute to realize that he was referring to Dino Dig in Animal Kindgom. I'm thinking, "We've got a sandbox in the freakin' backyard!" Sigh.

But do you have dino bones buried in the sand?

 

[Dwarful]

Well, I have often wondered about this...we have never made it to Tom Sawyers Island on our trips to MK. We have at DL and of course we manage to get the kids to The Tom & Becky Days in Hannibal Mo. ...nothing like climbing down into a cold, damp cave where Jesse James hid out to hear the old Mark Twain tale. Maybe next time I can talk everyone into stopping off.

 

[GenerationX]

It is a MUST with children. When my kids were toddlers, I read that they expend more energy standing still (as they must in a queue) than running around.

In yet another of those contrary-to-logic issues with children, 30 minutes of running around gives them more stamina for subsequent standing and sitting still.

I couldn't agree with you more, Yellow Shoes. My boys are all under 8, and they need play time. TSI is wonderfully themed, which my wife and I appreciate, and has fun areas for the boys. We all feel rejuvenated after a visit to TSI. Keep it, and again as Yellow Shoes said, bring back the paint brushes/cans!

 

[kennyj29]

Tom Sawyers Island

It's funny this topic was brought up. We had taken the kids over when they were little, Now they are big (21 and 26) and we finally went over again in 2001. We loved it!!! We went again this year!! We had a blast walking around the island, going into the caves, going on the rope bridge and shooting guns in the fort. We finally stopped at Aunt Pollys for a nice drink! It was such a relaxing thing to do. It was super!!! I recommend it for every age, not just for kids!!! If you are there a short time and need to do certain things, then maybe I would skip it but if you can relax because your there for a little longer period of time, I would highly recommend it. Don't miss it!!! Plus, you have to make some of the fun yourselves (a lot of people forgot how to do that!) We would definitely do this as a regular thing!!! :sohappy:

 

[Sherm00]

When I was a kid I loved it, although times have changed and the fort and the gun things don't appeal to todays childreen. I think they need to change it a little, make it a walk through like it is now but maybe make it a maze of somesort, with puzzles and stuff along the way.

 

[diegorivera2]

Re: Re: Tom Sawyer Island Poll

Originally posted by Imagineer Jer
Hey!
I have never been there? Is the Island cool?? Wait, is it at Magic kingdom in florida?

Yes, Imagineer Jer, Tom Sawyer Island is in the MK at WDW in the northwest corner of the park b/n Frontierland and Liberty Square.

 

[dopey]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
But do you have dino bones buried in the sand?

No, but there are hamster bones buried nearby. :lol:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I'm dyin' here!!!!
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:
:lol:

 

[FLcastmember]

Let me clear a few things up here....

Aunt Poly's NO LONGER SERVES sandwitches...its deserts only....bu they did bring back sandwitches recently to see for a trial period.

The rafts ARE the only way for guests AND cast to get there...no tunnels just rafts

The Keel boats NEVER went to the island, the Islands docks are to low for Keelboats.

It is still a poplular attraction, its #'s are still good, its a great way to wait for your SPL/BTM FP time, or if you have under 40' kids.

We run one raft on slow days, two on busy, and 3 on christmas/easter/new year type days. BUT never more then a 10 min wait. (we have 4 rafts, one is always in MTX)

We open at 10 am 95% of the time
We close at dusk
thats 5pm now, 6 and 7pm in the fall/spring, and 8pm summers

I doubt you will see any changes to this area any time soon.

thanks

 

[FLcastmember]

one more thing, we still do the paint brush treasure hunt, in fact WDW is big right now on this sorta thing, so we will countinue to do this everyday