Tell me about Tom Sawyer Island

[jeremynandrea]

In all the times we have been to DLR we have never been to Tom Sawyer Island! Our trip is in a little over a month and I am contemplating trying it out this time. It will be the hubs and me with our two boys, 13 and 11...

 

[PinkBudgie]

Oh, it is a must see! The pirates have taken over and some of the caves are very cool! I don't want to tell you too much to spoil it. Just go!

 

[XGrumpy1]

When I was a kid about the same age as your boys we were there at Disneyland and I had a great time exploring the island. I could have spent all day on the island.

There is a lot to do for young boys and I would take them to see all the cool stuff.

 

[elaw]

I love the caves (I think there are 3 different sets) .... but they are not for the Claustrophobic.

 

[Zzizzy]

Oh you are going to have such fun! Pirates have taken over Tom Sawyer Island and it is a hoot exploring all the trails, caves, hidden places and stuff to climb on. And you kids will have fun too!

Don't rush through the caves. This is one of the best parts. There are.... well, let's just say there are surprises and all kinds of hidden adventures. Stop at everything you see and look for special things.

Follow every trail. There are many things that you cannot see from the mainland or even from the Island itself unless you explore. And bring your camera. There are some great views from the Island especially from the outlooks and the upper areas.

I try to go to Tom Sawyer Island at least once every trip I make to Disneyland. Leave the white wash, grab Becky Thacher and Huck Finn and go hunting for pirates!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I love the caves (I think there are 3 different sets) .... but they are not for the Claustrophobic.

The first cave near where you get off the raft is less so than the others, I thought.

 

[sweethannah]

Can you navigate the Island without going through the caves? My mom is super claustrophobic
( can't do a lot of the dark rides, even Big Thunder had her white knuckled )

 

[GrandBob]

Can you navigate the Island without going through the caves? My mom is super claustrophobic
( can't do a lot of the dark rides, even Big Thunder had her white knuckled )

Definitely! You have to want to go into the caves to get there. You won't wander into one by accident.

-Bob

 

[theworldneedscolor]

It will be just me and my mom going this October, and I was wondering if it would be worth the trip over to the island for us? Is it fun from older teens and adults? Also, how long does it take? We only have about two days total at the parks.

 

[ocmommy]

My 6 year old loves the island, running around and climbing on rocks. There is also a treehouse that she says her dad built.

Not sure if it would keep a teenager entertained..but def the 11 year old.

Hope you have fun! The island takes us an hour, but we just go to our favorite spots. Exploring each cave would take longer. And there is only one raft to get there and back and you usually wait about 10 minutes for that.

 

[Tiradan]

I've been to DL many times (first time I was 4, last time I was... well let's not say) and I've never ever been to Tom Sawyer island until my most recent trip. Some parts of the island must be geared towards small children because I could barley fit into the openings. For example, I almost got stuck on the stairway to the treehouse and the caves. It was still fun though, especially the rope and barrel bridges. Next time I'm going to bring a little picnic and watch the Mark Twain go by.

 

[BayGirl22]

I think this is the part of DL my DH is most excited about. He used to go when he was little and loved it. I'm expecting my 3 year old to have almost as much fun as my 42 year old.

 

[erocrobro]

My boys are 10, 7, & 5, and they loved it. We spent a good chunk of time there on our last day. It was a great way to let them blow off some steam without me having to keep telling them to quit climbing on stuff, quit running, and stand still!

 

[Abrooks86]

Cool! I have never checked it out either but I have an 8 year old who loves to explore. Can't wait to take him!

 

[Eeee-va]

If you/your kids like exploring, the Pirates of the Caribbean films, or just wants a somewhat peaceful place to rest, then I'd definitely make it a point to see the island, provided you have the time.

It will be just me and my mom going this October, and I was wondering if it would be worth the trip over to the island for us? Is it fun from older teens and adults? Also, how long does it take? We only have about two days total at the parks.

Great username! Given your circumstances, I think it depends on if you're a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. If you aren't, I think I'd skip it. My mom, who hasn't even seen the movies and has some mobility problems, had NO interest in the island, even when we had plenty of time and I dragged her over. If you are larger or have trouble navigating rocky trails, stooping a bit to get through caves, etc., it may not be much fun.

But if you DO really like the Pirates of the Caribbean films and think you can navigate the caves, I'd try to hop over for a few minutes, maybe in the afternoon when the park's busy anyway. You have to wait for a raft to take you to the island and another raft to take you back, so that can take a little while.

I enjoy visiting just for taking pictures, exploring, and looking around. It can be a peaceful place to sit and watch people and the river traffic. (One of my favorite lunches at Disneyland was sitting on the island with my friend and her mom and eating food they'd brought in...my friend's mom struck up a conversation with a CM on the island who took care of the plants and the ducks!)

Anyway, given the length of your visit, I think it mostly depends on your opinion of the pirates.

 

[jeremynandrea]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tiradan]

Here are some pictures of Tom Sawyer's island that I took on my most recent trip to Disneyland (7/14-15).

• 1 of 12 - View of the Tom Sawyer's island from the pilothouse of the Mark Twain
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• 2 of 12 - Raft to the island
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• 3 of 12 - Closeup of the main building
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• 4 of 12 - Stairs
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• 5 of 12 - The treehouse
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• 6 of 12 - Inside the treehouse
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• 7 of 12 - Leaving the treehouse. I actually went in the treehouse the wrong way, the correct way is up the ladder that is in the trunk
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• 8 of 12 - Sign right before you cross the rope bridge. This did not deter anyone from wildly rocking the bridge
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• 9 of 12 - The rope bridge
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• 10 of 12 - The skull sphere
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• 11 of 12 - The barrel bridge (not for the feint of heart, kids on the other hand will have a blast on this)
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• 12 of 12 - You can stay for a long time on the island
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I didn't explore the whole island so I'm sure there's much more. I plan on visiting again when I'm there on 8/18 or 9/2 or 10/6

 

[SeanCLV]

I am a taller guy, so I am not the biggest fan of the caves. And the few times I have been there it was crowded, and you had people going against the flow of traffic. But the important part was my kids loved it.

 

[PHXscuba]

I think this is the part of DL my DH is most excited about. He used to go when he was little and loved it. I'm expecting my 3 year old to have almost as much fun as my 42 year old.

My DH was excited to go over, but disappointed that the fort is no longer open like when he was a child.

I think it is nice for blowing off steam or free play, but I don't know that I'd skip another good attraction to do it. It will take an hour with waiting for the rafts and walking around the open parts of the island.

PHXscuba

 

[theworldneedscolor]

If it's Pirates themed now...are there pirates available for meet and greets on the island?