Never been to Tom Sawyer Island

[glvsav37]

Can't remember ever going to TSI....at least not as an adult.

It's always kind of been out of the way (out of mind) with no real draw to go when we are so focused on riding attractions.

Considering it for the next trip. Have a very active 4 year old who could enjoy running around it as well as an inquisitive 8 year old who always exploring.

So gimme the skinny, what is over there to do?

 

[perdidochas]

Can't remember ever going to TSI....at least not as an adult.

It's always kind of been out of the way (out of mind) with no real draw to go when we are so focused on riding attractions.

Considering it for the next trip. Have a very active 4 year old who could enjoy running around it as well as an inquisitive 8 year old who always exploring.

So gimme the skinny, what is over there to do?

Cave to go through. Wilderness fort to explore. Barrel bridge and suspension bridges to cross. My boys (now 13 and 15, but we went there when they were younger) have always liked a chance to run around without lines to wait in.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

For some reason, we never made it over there on our last trip in October, but on our trip before then, we spent hours over there. My kids were 2 and 6 and they LOVED it. I think it's because they feel like they're exploring the "wilderness."

 

[PEC]

If you are only going to be at MK 1 day and do not go to Disney often I probably would not do Tom Sawyer Island. That said if you are at MK more than one day and/or you go to Disney often then yes it would be a great place for an active 4 yo.

 

[whitney37354]

We enjoyed Tom Sawyer's Island on our last trip. We missed it the first time. You ride over on the "raft". There are many trails, caves, there is a fort with "guns" facing BTMR. Since you mentioned an active child, be sure they are careful on the trails. DD is 8 & she tripped & fell, skinning her knees & hands.

 

[Ds4angels]

We love the island!! My twins (now 21) still talk about the Fort and pretending to be soldiers and looking out at the "wilderness" We took our youngest 2 last Feb and spent about 30 minutes or so wondering around the island. We lucked out and had a photo pass photographer go over on the raft w/ us. He took our picture on the raft and then "caught" dh and the little 2 on the trail. Some great pictures
It's nice to take a break and get away from the crowd. It's a must do for us.

 

[dominiondad]

I think it's fine for younger kids, but a word of caution. The rafts can shut down during bad weather so consider the weather outlook before you head over or you could be stranded for a while waiting for weather to pass.

 

[wiigirl]

If you are only going to be at MK 1 day and do not go to Disney often I probably would not do Tom Sawyer Island. That said if you are at MK more than one day and/or you go to Disney often then yes it would be a great place for an active 4 yo.

ditto

 

[ajwolfe]

I would only venture over there if you have plenty of time in MK. My boys always enjoy their time over there, but I do feel like my hubby and I rush them since there is no real "draw" over there and is so much else to do.

 

[glvsav37]

Thanks for the replies everyone. We will def have enough time--there for 12 days. And honestly I thought about it bc we are big FP- people and are concerned about things to do vs waiting standby for attractions.

TSI seems like a good diversion to get the kids off the line and burn off some energy

 

[Karbase8]

If you are there for 12 days, I would definitiely do it, it's like having down town in the parks, we were lucky to sit on a few rocking chairs after we explored the trails and rested our feet and watched the afternoon parade and all. It was good and enjoyable for my DS11 at the time.

 

[glvsav37]

They don't do the "find the paint brush" thing any more, right?

 

[momof2n2]

Right.

 

[cobright]

It has the same 10 minutes of fun as the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse ... followed by another 40 soul crushingly boring minutes stuck on an island.

 

[nwcutie]

My boys enjoyed it when we went in 2009 (they were 9 & 17) It gave them some breathing room in the afternoon when the park was crowded and they didn't feel like standing in line. It was a good break for the 3 of us.

 

[Novakm]

Ate lunch at the picnic tables, then DD (4) took a nap with Mom for about 45 minutes on a blanket while DD7 explored the island with Dad. Refreshed & ready for the rest of the day!

 

[karenklo]

My boys loved going out there when they were younger! We usually spent about 45 mins running all over. It was a nice way for them to get the energy out of standing in lines.

 

[meliss8599]

A little off topic here, but I think it would be fantastic if they brought back a refreshment stand/spot to the island. I would LOVE to sit and relax there while kids ran around if we could have a lemonade or an ice cream or a pop and a soft pretzel. I feel like there's always enough people visiting the island to make it financial sense for Disney, but I'm probably wrong and that's why they got rid of it in the first place.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

A little off topic here, but I think it would be fantastic if they brought back a refreshment stand/spot to the island. I would LOVE to sit and relax there while kids ran around if we could have a lemonade or an ice cream or a pop and a soft pretzel. I feel like there's always enough people visiting the island to make it financial sense for Disney, but I'm probably wrong and that's why they got rid of it in the first place.

We take our snacks over with us and do exactly that.

 

[MacDalt]

We lost DS (age 7, at the time) there once! He kinda ran ahead to explore the cave and my adult sister and Dd(4) went in behind him. My DH and I were just hanging out waiting. Well, my DD got scared so my sister brought her right back out to the entrance. No big deal, we thought, we can just walk over and meet him at the exit. We get to the exit and see a sign that says its the exit to the Mine, not the cave! My heart sorta skipped a beat! Where the heck is the exit for the cave?! By this time, we are kinda hurrying cuz we didn't want him to panic when he came out and couldn't see us! We found it just as he came out! Gave him a little talking to about running ahead. I didn't completely freak out cuz it is an island. He couldn't go very far and if someone was kidnapping him, they'd still have to wait for the ferry! Lol, he turned out ok! He's turning 21 this month and still remembers the cave, not being lost!