Is Tom Sawyer's Island worth our time?

[Cando86]

One of my fondest memories from my childhood at Disney comes from Tom Sawyer Island. I remember walkin' across the barrel bridge with my siblings and parents. Me and my siblings began bouncin' up and down on the bridge, makin' my poor mother frantic with fear (she couldn't swim), forgetting the fact that the water wasn't deep at all. She was laughin' and screamin' at the same time. We were all laughin' so hard that I nearly pee'd my pants! Its such a vivid memory that I will always cherish and it makes me smile each time I think of it. To me it always signifies what Disney World is all about, not the rides, not the characters, but having fun together with your family.

great story
makes me happy and reminds me of good times i've had with my family on the island too ... 49 days until I'm back HOME!

ETA - I think Tom Sawyer's Island is one of those places that makes you feel nostalgic more than anything. It's a good place for kids to run around and play (which is exactly what I did) and will be one of those places that makes them feel happy when they go back and visit as they get older. At least that's how it worked for me

 

[noahdove]

I love it and I can't wait to take the 2 kids I am taking in August there...It was different but fun...

 

[720L]

I love Tom Sawyer Island! I remember as a kid I loved exploring around, and a few years ago in Tokyo Disney it was a good place to relax and get away from the hustle-bustle of the rest of the Magic Kingdom. It's fun to explore no matter what your age! Actually, I'm not sure if it's just because I've always loved Tom Sawyer, but Tom Sawyer Island definately has to be one of my favorite attractions in the Magic Kingdom.

Now, I'm going to jump in here with a question of my own since people brought up the paintbrushes:
1.) Does Tom Sawyer Island open up the same time as the rest of the park, or does it open a little later? For some reason I thought that it opened later in the morning, but I could be remembering wrong.
2.) Does there seem to be a rush for the paintbrushes first thing? I'm wondering how much competition there would be I really want to find one on my next trip!
3.) Let's say me and my DBF found a paintbrush. We turn it into the person on the raft.... now does only one of us get a FP or would both of us get one?

Thanks guys
and I'll say it again... give TSI a try

1.I think it opens a little later. 2.We've never been there right when it opens so I can't answer, I'd like to know though. 3.I would think they would give both of you a FP.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Tom Sawyer Island is awesome and Im almost 30 yrs old! Who doesn't love to explore a cave?!

 

[IdoBeliveinFairies]

There are actually 7 or 8 paintbrushes hid all around the island to find! We've done this on our past two trips and my kids love the challenge of finding the paintbrushes- and it's fun to get the "go to the front of the line" pass!

Thanks for that information both who posted. I was just about to start a thread about this very question. I had read that there were hidden paint brushes, but we have never looked for any and didn't know what they did. So thanks

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I think it is a love it or hate it kind of thing.
After being cooked to well done on the raft ride over it was not a happy place for me.

We are going to give the one at DL a try but, if we don't like it that is it! LOL

 

[TallyTutter]

I read on another thread about TSI that someone said it is a good place to watch the parade from (from Aunt Polly's). Does anyone know about this? Would it be a good place to watch the daytime parades from? It would be awfully nice not to have to deal with the crowds!!

 

[tinkerbell60]

I love Tom Sawyer Island! I remember as a kid I loved exploring around, and a few years ago in Tokyo Disney it was a good place to relax and get away from the hustle-bustle of the rest of the Magic Kingdom. It's fun to explore no matter what your age! Actually, I'm not sure if it's just because I've always loved Tom Sawyer, but Tom Sawyer Island definately has to be one of my favorite attractions in the Magic Kingdom.

Now, I'm going to jump in here with a question of my own since people brought up the paintbrushes:
1.) Does Tom Sawyer Island open up the same time as the rest of the park, or does it open a little later? For some reason I thought that it opened later in the morning, but I could be remembering wrong.
2.) Does there seem to be a rush for the paintbrushes first thing? I'm wondering how much competition there would be I really want to find one on my next trip!
3.) Let's say me and my DBF found a paintbrush. We turn it into the person on the raft.... now does only one of us get a FP or would both of us get one?

Thanks guys
and I'll say it again... give TSI a try

We were there just a week ago - we found a paintbrush midday - sitting right on top of a garbage can near Aunt Polly's. I think a lot of people did not know what it was. You turn it in to the person on the raft when you get back to the park. The front of the line pass was good for our whole family (4 of us)- the cast member actually gave us two - one for Splash and one for Big Thunder because it was a crowded day.

 

[Microcell]

It is hard to justify doing if you are pressed for time, but I suppose I will try...

One of my fondest memories of WDW with my son was sitting and playing checkers with him there and waiting for DH and DD to get off the big thunder mountian railroad!

Warms my heart just thinking about it, and how proud he was to beat his mom atcheckers at the tender age of five!

 

[Tomh]

I've been to Disney World four times (sadly not once since 1988) and I don't believe that I've ever been to Tom Sawyer Island. I will make a point of taking my kids there (I bet DS4 will absolutely love it) during our trip in August. I suspect dad will have as much fun as DS will have.

 

[lady browning]

I too am looking forward to doing this with darling sons age 10 and 7. I think they will have a blast! DH and I will relax a bit while the munchkins play. We have always just passed it by before but this trip it is a must do for us.

 

[phisigprincess]

On our last trip I was determined to do things in the MK that I have never done, or haven't done in years. I went back to TSI for the first time in 13 years, and DH and I had a blast! We were on a hunt for the paintbrush and decided it was sort of like Amazing Race.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I went with my Dsis a couple of years ago (we were both around 30 y.o.). It was OK, but we chose not to go into the cave b/c it smelled like urine. We took some nice pictures of BTMRR, SM and HM. Some of the stuff was cute to see, but we only went to TSI b/c we hadn't been there in 20 years. DOn't kill yourself to fit this one it (just like I'd say don't kill yourself to see the Swiss Family Treehouse).

 

[disneywith4boys]

I've read that a lot of parents like to sit back and relax while the kids have fun. My DS's are 9, 6, 4 and 4. At what age do others feel confortable letting their kids go on their own on the island? Is the island big? What about alone in the caves? I'm afraid something could happen to them in there. I know the kids would love to run around here, but I always put off going because I thought it would be too exhausing on the grownups!!

 

[Colson39]

Huge fan of Tom Sawyers Island, lots of childhood memories there. My favorites....

1) The raft ride over is one the most unique experiences you'll have in all of the Magic Kingdom

2) Where else do you get to look for hidden paintbrushes?

3) The caves are GREAT, for young and old. A little over a year ago, we went to Tom Sawyers Island for the first time in probably 7 or 8 years. I don't know why it took us so long, I guess we just never realized how long it had been. When we were in the caves, I had totally forgotten how dark and atmospheric it got in there. You really do feel like you're in a cave, and some of them are longer than others

4) I have the same memory of jumping up and down on the barrell bridge with my parents when we were kids (and actually just a couple years ago as well). Watching my mom grab onto the sides of the bridge, and the look on her face is she's just waiting for the barrels to break...lol.

5) The water wheel/water transport systems. I love seeing the he water wheel, and checking out the long water flows they have built near the southern tip of the island.

6) The covered patio that overlooks the Haunted Mansion, the paddleboat, and a good share of Frontierland. Have some great rocking chars, and you really can have a nice relaxing break here (also if you're a people watcher, this is the place for you...lol).

7) And finally, a secret that isn't really a secret but that I don't like spreading the word too much on. If you pack in your own sandwiches/lunch, there are a few great picnic benches sprinkled throughout the island. One of them is quite close to the waterwheel on top of the largest hill on the island, with a great view overlooking the paddleboat and some of Frontierland. GREAT places to have picnics


Ok, that's my .02 + 1.00

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Just to add, TSI is great because there is only a certain amount of people on it at one time. So when your exploring caves and other things, your usually all alone which adds to the experience since you've just come over from the crowded area of Splash and BTMRR.

 

[Teacher510]

I enjoy it, but prefer to do it as a "time filler."
For example, maybe doing it when I'm waiting on a fastpass for Splash Mountain to go into effect. It's a really relaxing spot of the park though and that's always a plus.
IMHO, I wouldn't try to change a schedule around to squeeze it in though.

That's exactly when we did it a few years ago and it was very enjoyable in the AM.

 

[MichelleVW]

3) The caves are GREAT, for young and old. A little over a year ago, we went to Tom Sawyers Island for the first time in probably 7 or 8 years. I don't know why it took us so long, I guess we just never realized how long it had been. When we were in the caves, I had totally forgotten how dark and atmospheric it got in there. You really do feel like you're in a cave, and some of them are longer than others

My Stupid DH hid and jumped out and scared DD and me in those caves!! We screamed like crazy....I almost had a heart attack, but laughed like mad afterwards!! Then a minute later my DD was standing by a light with her back to me and all I saw was this black shape and screamed again!! I am such a dork

I don't think it will ever be a "must do" for us, but we did have fun over there!