Good-bye, Tom Sawyer's Island

[newfamilyman]

For some shocking news, check out Al's latest column on miceage.com.

 

[samkj]

A bit shocking is right, but I kind of like the idea. I would've rather it originally came from Imagineering instead of marketing, but I think it will work. The area does need updating.

I love the DCA plans and not sure about the hotel plans (but they are probably necessary)

 

[daannzzz]

While I think it is extremely sad that Tom Sawyer is too sedate for people and that many youngsters don't know who he is, I do like the idea of a fun tropical island with a pirate theme. On its own it seems like a great idea. HOWEVER plopping down in that location makes for some problems. How will the Mark Twain look circling the palm laden island. What about the Indians across the creek. Perhaps the Indians and Pirates could battle it out over the top of the Columbia and the Mark Twain. I am sure the tropical look will enhance the architecture of the Haunted Mansion. It sounds like a fun idea that just doesn't integrate well with the thememing of the area. It is almost as though they are giving up on keeping the themes somewhat coherent. All we need is a Pixar pirate movie so they can capitalize on adding more characyters to the new pirate island.

 

[Hollyster2]

I can't find the article on the site! What did it say?

 

[HydroGuy]

I can't find the article on the site! What did it say?

See www.miceage.com/allutz/al100306a.htm

 

[HydroGuy]

I have to admit, I rarely went to TSI in recent years, and it had little relevance for my four boys. It was great in the 50's, but it is time to do something different. The "pirate island" idea is another stroke of genius, and assures me that Disney is on the right track. Frankly, I will not miss TSI very much, and will be glad for a reason to go over there. I just hope they plan a better transportation method that the current rafts which take too long.

 

[PapaLR]

While we've discussing Tom Sawyer's Island, I've got a question. During our recent trip, we took the river boat trip around the island and noticed that the burning cabin is no longer there. Since it's been 23 years since we were last there, any idea what happened? Figured it might be a "politically correct" thing.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

THat makes me sad. I too didn't visit it often but it is a part of history that has been ignored. Makes me want to go get som Mark Twain to read to my kids!! The fact that it's obvious no one appreciates it just proves we have let some of the good stuff get away from our kids.

I like history, I love tradition & when it's gone, it's saddening.

 

[Hollyster2]

Thank you for posting the site!
For some reason I ended up on a page only listing some of the choices of articles and I saw no mention of Tom Sawyer Island. I clicked on your link and BEHOLD! Thanks Again!

 

[TheZue]

First I gotta say I LOVE pirates. I love the rides and I love the movies. But here is my big issue. I think they are over doing it in NOS. I can understand jumping on the band wagon while the movies are big and putting the bands in there. But I kinda felt last week that NOS had lost some of the cool things I used to love about it like the dixie bands and stuff. It's more of a giant pirates zone now which is kinda too bad. And I think this change in that Island just won't fit in with a new orleans styled land AT ALL. Unless it changes gradually or they go for more of the look where that voodoo lady was from the second one I think it's just going to look horribly out of place.

As for Mark Twain being outdated, he is horribly outdated at this point. It's sad, but our kids have gotten some great new characters to love and cherish. And it's not like Mark Twain will ever be fully forgotten. He shows up a ton in history classes because he was such a huge political protest writer. It's just kids can't relate to what he was writing about anymore. I would love to see something done to that island; but just want it to fit in with the surrounding area.

 

[lilallybean]

NO NO NO!!! I don't want Tom to go!!!
NO NO NO!!! I don't want Tom to go!!!
NO NO NO!!! I don't want Tom to go!!!
Grrrrrrrrr!!!
One of our family favorites was to go to the island and find the lost paint brushes! Will we get to look for a sword if they cahnge it??? I still want Tom to stay!

 

[HydroGuy]

THat makes me sad. I too didn't visit it often but it is a part of history that has been ignored. Makes me want to go get som Mark Twain to read to my kids!! The fact that it's obvious no one appreciates it just proves we have let some of the good stuff get away from our kids.

I like history, I love tradition & when it's gone, it's saddening.

FWIW, the island attraction has deteriorated in recent years, with political correctness changes made to the experience, and almost nothing very fun going on there anymore.

I do not think it is so much that no one appreciates Mark Twain anymore, as much as they have an opportunity to do something new and different and now is the right time.

 

[DLcastmbr]

it sounds good but i have serious issues with themeing and my fantasmic! Imagine fantasmic on a desert island and mickey having his wanderous finale on top of a pirate ship! and what of the mark twain boat with a pirate island very much out of themeing. plz tell me disney is smarter then this! Totally destroy the themeing of 3 lands and disneys greatest show just for a pirates fad

 

[Tink33]

My first thought was NO WAY. I loved playing on Tom Sawyer's Island as a kid and have fond memories of playing with my kids in the caves and on the bridges.

However, reading TheZue's idea about making it swampy could work. If the perimeter of the island was bayou like it would still fit with the theme of the area. You could walk through the swamp and find yourself in a tropical paradise with pirates and new play areas. The caves could be used for hiding treasure. The fort could be reopened with a pirate invasion.

It could be really fun for the next generation.

 

[dohgusgus]

Wow! I'm excited for it! Ever since I was little I found Tom Sawyer Island boring. We took my little sister ONCE on her first trip about 4 years ago and we were even dragging our feet then. I

it's sad in a way though because it is an original part of Disneyland but I think it's time for a renovation. I don't often see people flocking to TSI and it would be really cool if they expanded the Pirates theme because who doesn't like Pirates?!

But I understand others dislikes about it, heck I might not even like it when they're done (that is if they ruin the New Orleans square theme) But if they mesh it with NOS it could look really really cool. TSI is a good size location for another "land" or area of DL and I don't think its really being used to its potential at the moment.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think it sounds terrific. I'm excited about the news! My family always makes a trip over to the island for a change of pace when we visit, but the idea of exploring a pirate themed island would be a wonderful new experience. How FUN!

 

[MATTERHORN]

My kids can't be the only ones that still have a great time on TSI? Right? I guess we must be in thte minority but my kids beg to go over there, they love the caves and bridges and just being able to run around a bit after standing in lines. There are no lines!!! That's the best part about the island, and now I bet there will be. It will be a giant outdoor innoventions with video games and pirates laser tag. It's sad...

Does no one really teach there kids to use their imaginations anymore? My kids are young so they have no clue yet who Tom Sawyer was, but they have fun there anyways. (Granted it could use a few bathrooms) But I digress, I guess I am alone! My six year old doesn't even have a cell phone yet (GASP!) the poor girl~


Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

My kids can't be the only ones that still have a great time on TSI? Right? I guess we must be in thte minority but my kids beg to go over there, they love the caves and bridges and just being able to run around a bit after standing in lines. There are no lines!!! That's the best part about the island, and now I bet there will be. It will be a giant outdoor innoventions with video games and pirates laser tag. It's sad...

Does no one really teach there kids to use their imaginations anymore? My kids are young so they have no clue yet who Tom Sawyer was, but they have fun there anyways. (Granted it could use a few bathrooms) But I digress, I guess I am alone! My six year old doesn't even have a cell phone yet (GASP!) the poor girl~


Andrea

Adding to myself here, just wanted to say this was not to be mean. It would be great if they could redesign it without going totally electronic. But I don't see that happening because all they see is $$$$. Just a quick question for those that said their kids don't like it there because they don't know the theming? What about going to a regular park at home? Will your kids not play because it's not "themed"? Just curious, because I don't see why it matters about who's name is on the island. It's just good old fashioned playtime over there, without anything that's plugged in. It's too bad people can't appreciate that anymore!

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

I've been on TSI once in over 35-40 trips to DL. The only reson I went was because of my kids. 1/2 hour they were done, just didn't do it for them. They've never asked to go back.

 

[HydroGuy]

What about going to a regular park at home? Will your kids not play because it's not "themed"? Just curious, because I don't see why it matters about who's name is on the island. It's just good old fashioned playtime over there, without anything that's plugged in. It's too bad people can't appreciate that anymore!

At one time TSI may have been on a caliber with local parks. Not anymore. I can see why kids (my kids included) go ho-hum to TSI.

I think if Disney wanted to, they could upgrade TSI as a TSI theme and make it more attractive for kids. But a pirate theme will work much better in today's world.