Anybody been on Tom Sawyer's Island lately?

[almostGoofy]

I was at DL this past Sunday and while walking around the Rivers of America, I kept hearing this bell clanging. I thought it was from the Mark Twain but the last time it rang, I looked over and it was from what looked like a new platform on the island.

Can anybody tell me what's changed or reopened? I know the bridges are open again but the last time I was on the island, most of it was still closed off. My then 3 year old DS loved running around that island. It would be so much more fun for him if they opened the rest of the island back up.

 

[justmestace]

We're going at Christmas, and it will be interesting to see what they've done. The last two times we were there, the island was totally closed, and they had large scaffolding up over there. Rumor at the time was that they were making a whole new attraction, some kind of ride. But then I heard that they were just going to make the island handicapped accessable.
I hope they keep it as Tom Sawyer Island...my brothers and I ran around there 35 years ago, and I'm glad my son got to do it last Christmas, just before it closed, it brought back a lot of memories. Only wish he could have ridden the Submarines, too.

 

[hookedup]

There is no "new ride" going at TSI. They have had to do some major updating to the area and that is why so much was closed. Between trying to make it more accessible for disabled guests and fixing up the stuff that was rotting and old they have had a lot to do. There were some injuries over there the past few years from falls, and old equipment, etc. I read an article about it last year (maybe on Mouseplanet?) where it went into detail what was going on and why. That's the best I can remember about it. Not sure about the final completion date - from what I remember it was a fairly long project.

 

[Tandyc]

We were there Sunday. The fort was closed, but all the caves and treehouse with a bell were open. My kids rang the bell ALOT! To the point I told them the entire park was probably sick of listening to it. They were so disappointed about the fort they tried to make up for it with the bell.

The were in WDW in May and they found the paint brushes and played in the fort for hours. Major disapppointment there were no paintbrushes and no fort. They were thrilled to find the treasure however!

The swinging bridge on the north end of the island was closed when we first arrived, but I heard a couple cms talking that the Fantasmic boats really reck havic on that bridge. One of the cm's had fixed the bridge and reopened it.

Even without the fort it's a great place for a little down time for the parents and kids to run.

 

[Elly]

It is true they have revamped some of the areas for safety reasons, but there is still a lot of stuff to explore and climb on just like before. Although the fort is closed, they have added a Tom Sawyer character to the island who wanders about chatting with visitors. Look for him, he is very funny. I miss being able of visit the fort, but you will still have lots of fun on the island. Check out the mill (Fantasmic stage area) as well. It is a great photo spot.

 

[almostGoofy]

Is teeter-totter rock and that who play area still closed?

 

[Tamazon19]

Can we get our stroller to the island using the bridge?

 

[Tandyc]

You musst ride a raft over. I think a stroller is ok on the raft. The island is pretty rocky and hilly. If it's a 4 wheel drive type stroller I bet it'd be ok. Is you little one old enough to get out and run around? If so he/she would probably love it. If the stroller kid is really little but had older siblings this is a great way for them to run off steam. It's not a place most Disneylanders go.

Enjoy!