?Status of Tom Sawyer Island?

[iloveeeyore]

I had heard rumors that TSI might be permanently closed. We are travelling in August. Anyone know whether we can expect it to be opened or closed at that time?

TIA

 

[Evad]

I hope they don't close it, I love that place. It is so nice to go over there and get away from the crowds.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

It's still open and there have been no rumors amongst the cast that it will be closing anytime soon. Although the Dis always seems to get info before the cast does (how does that work )...It is not something that I have heard being discussed.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I recall reading that the water around the island would be drained so that the region could be cleaned...but this is not a permanent closing. I think it was going to happen in late summer/early fall of this year.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I haven't heard of this rumor amongst any CMs either, so I wouldn't worry. I was just down there and the Island is fully operational

 

[PrincessJen09]

I hope that they don't close it because my family has only been able to go there once. It is usually closed the time of year that we go (October).

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I read in the '06 Birnbaum Guide that the restaurant on the island is permanently closed. Maybe that is the deal?

 

[tink1978]

I hope it does not close...it is a good escape place.

 

[ImagineEar]

Just when I have added it to my list of "to do's" for our September trip! I was determined to find those paint brushes....

I've only been there once before about 14 years ago and figured it's time to go back and rediscover it with the kids. Oh well - I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I recall reading that the water around the island would be drained so that the region could be cleaned...but this is not a permanent closing. I think it was going to happen in late summer/early fall of this year.

This is true... Perhaps this info was relayed wrong along the way. They have been talking about draining the river to clean it out before the Riverboat comes back (which is currently set for September 22). But...I would not hold my breath on that, the river originally was being drained about every 4 years. The last time it was drained was in 1994. They had planned a full river rehab again for late 2000 but that never happened. It really needs a good cleaning, but I would be surprised to see it happen in the next few months...

 

[grinningghost]

Just wondering. Does anyone without kids go to TSI anymore, without the luxury of Aunt Polly's to get refreshments? That was a nice little place to escape to, don't you think?

 

[Mickey1122]

I haven't heard any closing rumors.

 

[dizprincess717]

hey guys, i just came back from my college program last month and i worked at frontierland - on splash mountain! if you were there anytime between january and the middle of may you most likely saw me! anyway, being that i had a close relationship with the attraction guest service managers, i would have heard something about TSI. now aunt polly's dockside inn is open seasonally. maybe that's what the guidebook meant. rest assured, TSI is still going to be opened.

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

It's funny I came across this post as I am reading the Unofficial Guide right now and this is what it says about this.
"Enjoy it will you can. Given that DL has already shuttered Fort Wilderness on its own version of Tom Sawyer's Island (supposedly due to costs associated with disabled acess issues as well as safety concerns), it's only a matter of time 'til Disney's lawyers finally get around to closing down Fort Langhorn. So runup and down those extremely narrow and pootly lit stairs and fire off a politically incorrect rifle while you still can. The imagineers expect to be playing "taps" for this Frontierland icon in the very near future."
This was a quote directly from the 2006 UG, so I can see where the rumor comes from.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Well that would make sense as to where the rumor came from kind of confusing for those that may never have visited the Island. Fort Langhorn is only a portion of the island... so even if they were to close the fort (which I have not heard any rumor of) the Island itself would still be open.

 

[shakespear]

I hope nothing happens. I LOVE that place, taking my daughter for the first time this December.

I miss the guns =(

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Wow, draining the water! that sounds like a bit of work! I just read today on the Disney website that the Riverboat will be out of operation in August for rehab. That's one heck of a rehab, the boat AND the water that it sails in... only in WDW... only in WDW

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I just read today on the Disney website that the Riverboat will be out of operation in August for rehab. That's one heck of a rehab, the boat AND the water that it sails in... only in WDW... only in WDW

The Riverboat has been out of service since September. It was scheduled for routine maintenance (deck teaking, boiler inspection, etc...they do deck teaking every 3 month or so). Anyway, while it was at the wet dock they decided that they would do a full rehab on it since it had not had one since it's debut as the LibertyBelle in 1994. They then had to wait for a spot in dry dock (they were working on a new fireworks cruise boat, so they had to finish that). Then they realized that moving the boat would interupt the Pirates Rehab, as some of the heavier equipement would have to be relocated (wet dock is behind Thunder Mountain, Dry dock is by the Contemporary so there is a series of locks in the channel behin MK that comes out in Seven Seas Lagoon.) Once the space came open at dry dock, and Pirates reopened for a few weeks they moved the boat, so it literally had been waiting it's turn from September until April. It is finally up out of the water and being worked on. It is expected to return to the Magic Kingdom September 22. Since it is going to be out for a few more months they have been throwing around the idea of a complete River rehab, but...I would be surprised if they actually do it, the River needs it really badly (hasn't been drained since 1994) they would need to start fairly soon if they are gonna have it done by September....

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I have not heard anything rumor of TSI closing either, lets hope not, its part of the original and a great place to explore.

 

[kmadams]

Well, if they drain the river maybe they could find the ring that fell off my daughter's finger and into the river on a visit there in 2002???