Tom Sawyer Island

[BadWolf]

I'd like to see if anyone else agrees with me that Tom Sawyer Island (TSI) needs to be converted to something more interesting.

Looking at the MK through google earth, TSI is a large area within the MK yet other than a few trails and a fort, there isn't much there (even aunt pollies is closed).

Perhaps disney could build a bridge over to TSI and add new attractions with the frontierland theme. This would require that the paddle boat become stationary. It could be docked at the loading area (since it looks nice there) and maybe also become more useful (maybe an ice cream parlor).

What are your thoughts.............

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

I don't know how popular the paddle boat is...But I would think there has to be a way they could do it without removing the paddle boat. But imo yes TSI needs something.

 

[BadWolf]

I agree not to remove the paddle boat (it looks nice). Just keep it at the entrance dock (near the haunted mansion). As of now, I don't think it's a very popular ride.

 

[the-reason14]

I actually had an interesting time over at TSI last trip. And while it's not or never will be a 'must do' it is fun to do every other trip. It was pretty busy when I was there too, so it seems to still draw folk. I think the MK has more than enough room elsewhere to build new rides/attractions. Whether it be apart of Frontier land, or any land, I don't think they need to destroy something and replace it, rather than just build something new elsewhere.

 

[BadWolf]

If you look at the arial view of the MK you will see that they do not have room to expand. Behind bushes and trees are facility buildings and maintenance shops.

I'm not saying to demolish TSI, I am merely suggesting that it be more accessible and updated for the 21st century. A few dirt paths and a dusty fort is not very stimulating.

Also, by building a bridge and updating the entire island, it could remain open in the evening also.

 

[phlydude]

not to mention, if you are a person of considerable size like I once was, walking on that barrel bridge will get your feet soaked!

I agree, not much there to keep the interest of the masses - plus, the time to get back and forth to the island kills nearly an hour when all is said and done - but that is good for the park, right? move people to an isolated area for nearly an hour to free other parts of the park up?

That and the riverboat from WOW factor are less exciting than Alladin's magic carpets or the RC boats outside the Jungle Cruise

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Why do people not enjoy TSI? I love Tom Sawyer and have always been entertained by it...to each his own, I suppose.

 

[Disney Dawg88]

I'd like to see if anyone else agrees with me that Tom Sawyer Island (TSI) needs to be converted to something more interesting.

Looking at the MK through google earth, TSI is a large area within the MK yet other than a few trails and a fort, there isn't much there (even aunt pollies is closed).

Perhaps disney could build a bridge over to TSI and add new attractions with the frontierland theme. This would require that the paddle boat become stationary. It could be docked at the loading area (since it looks nice there) and maybe also become more useful (maybe an ice cream parlor).

What are your thoughts.............

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but you make a great point. I've been to the MK many times in my life and I can say I don't think I've ever been to or on TSI, so I really can't give an opinion on whether it's good or not. But it does take up a lot of room and is only used for a portion of the day, so it would make sense that if TDO was looking to expand one day down the road that this would be the place.

 

[britdaw]

I don't think they should do away with it, but maybe they should look at ways to make it more appealing to more people. I know they hide the brushes there that get you the FastPasses, and maybe if they if they played that up more, more people would visit?

 

[bamillerpa]

I love TSI. I have ever since I was little. It's the one place where you can use your imagination and explore and not have so much noise and activity shoved down your throat. I love all the shade, it makes it a great place to cool down. Now that I have my own kids I love to take them over there in the afternoon where they can release some energy and not be stuck in a line for another ride. We've spent hours over there already and when the kids were really little we took a "time out" over on TSI instead of heading back to the hotel for a rest. I think kids get plenty of stimulation everywhere else in the parks and TSI should be left alone. I think people forget that kids like the adventure of the caves and a barrel bridge. There's nothing wrong with an area that is left more "rustic".

 

[the-reason14]

I love TSI. I have ever since I was little. It's the one place where you can use your imagination and explore and not have so much noise and activity shoved down your throat. I love all the shade, it makes it a great place to cool down. Now that I have my own kids I love to take them over there in the afternoon where they can release some energy and not be stuck in a line for another ride. We've spent hours over there already and when the kids were really little we took a "time out" over on TSI instead of heading back to the hotel for a rest. I think kids get plenty of stimulation everywhere else in the parks and TSI should be left alone. I think people forget that kids like the adventure of the caves and a barrel bridge. There's nothing wrong with an area that is left more "rustic".

I agree with you. It's almost like a 'treat' since it's not hugely popular like other attractions/rides. If anything, WDW is so big, anything they plan on putting in it's place, could easily be rethemed and put elsewhere.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I'm agreeing that there isn't much to do and is pretty much really outdated.



But I wouldn't like to see the Tom Sawyer theme go away, perhaps some new elements added to the island with the Tom Sawyer theme, like a few shows, some meet and greets, and some more playing things.



-WondersOfLife


The last original pavilion. :king:

 

[puntagordabob]

TSI is fine.....maybe add some pirates into the mix... but how many kids do not like forts? caves? paths to expore? etc??

They do need to add a food and drink place back onto the island..

 

[slappy magoo]

TSI is pretty much the only place in Mk where the "fun" isn't strictly regimented, timed and exploited with a gift shop. What I wouldn't mind seeing there are more "storytime" elements. Maybe someone who could regale kids with Twain-esque tales, or other tales of "old America." An eatery would also be nice, and maybe meet-n-greet appropriate to the theme. Things that would encourage more "take a moment and smell the flowers" fun to the park.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

TSI is fine.....maybe add some pirates into the mix... but how many kids do not like forts? caves? paths to expore? etc??

They do need to add a food and drink place back onto the island..

Well, when I was a kid I was pretty much bored after going there once. Sure, the fort and barrel bridge were kind of neat, but after doing it once there isn't really much to bring you back.

I feel like they had an ambitious idea for it, but it either didn't keep up with the times or never was fully finished; which is very possible since AK and EPCOT's Gemini project were never finished due to an over ambitious concept that became too expensive. Though, would it have killed them to at least keep Aunt Polly's open. The lack of food and/or drink really makes the trip even less worthwhile.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Why do people not enjoy TSI? I love Tom Sawyer and have always been entertained by it...to each his own, I suppose.

I love it too and always have. I am shocked people would want to get rid of the Liberty Belle Riverboat. I love that relaxing ride around the island. It gives you a different view of the park. It screams nostalgia which is what that section of the park is all about. How neat is it to be on a large boat in the middle of a man-made theme park?

TSI may not have the charm to attract the socially challenged "texting" generation but I still adore it. I love going through the tunnels, still, to this day. It's simple, and it gives you a little bit of a getaway from it all

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I think it's awesome. If they wanted to update the fort a little or have a few more interactive things in the cave that would be great, but the rest is fine. I went for the first time last trip and my wife was able to relax with our baby(she took a nap right there on my wifes lap in a rocker) and I did a little walking around. You won't see any EVC's tooling around and you can just let your kids loose as there is only one way on or off the place so they won't get lost. As others said it's a nice break from the onslaught of selling and everything else, and probably very cheap overall for Disney to maintain.

 

[Master Yoda]

Changed...no.

Updated....yes.

I love TSI but the place does need some attention and it would not take much.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Changed...no.

Updated....yes.

I love TSI but the place does need some attention and it would not take much.

Agreed with this completley.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Would love to see an update and I wouldn't mind a change, but it would depend on what it was. I'm a big fan of DL's version of the Pirate Lair, so I'd like something like that. But just an update to the current TSI would be fine too.

I hope they never overpublicize the paintbrush hunting. It would turn into a mob scene, like waking up Tinkerbell did, with people fighting. And eventually they'd do away with it, which would be a shame. It's one of the lesser known Disney things that I hope stays relatively a secret.