Tell Me About Tom Sawyer's Island

[CheapMom]

My DS- 7 - is really into Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn right now as he just finished those two books. Do I take the riverboat to see the island- i have no clue about this at all.

 

[hockey mom]

He will love it. It opens at 10(not 9 with the rest of the park) and you take the raft over. The loading area for this is between Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. If you are on the first raft of the day the driver will tell everyone that Huck and Tom were supposed to paint fences but took off so their paintbrushes are hidden on the island. If you find one you turn it in to the driver and he gives your family a front of the line pass to any of the mountain rides. It has caves, a fort, wobbly bridge, and lots of neat little paths. MY favorite is Aunt Pollys- a place to sit and people watch.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

My son loved Tom Sawyer Island, too. He had a great time going in and out of the caves and forts and pretending to use a rifle. I had a good time sitting at Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn enjoying an ice cream!

It's nice there because it's unhurried-no lines or purpose. The kids just run and have fun.

I definitely recommend it.

 

[clm3]

My DS-11, DS-6, and DD-4 loved this place (and so did I). They ran and ran for about 1 hr while my DH looked after them. I just sat and enjoy the nice shade at the picnic tables. There were some parents relaxing and reading books .... its a great place for a rest (for the parents).

I agree get a snack at Polly's before getting back on the raft.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

I agree with all of the above. This is where I like to go when I've had enough and my nerves are on edge. It'll give you & your son a chance to catch your breath, when needed. Also note that the attraction closes earlier than the others. I think the raft stop operating early enough to have everyone off the island before dark.

 

[sters]

I love Toms Sawyers Island. It's a great place to burn off steam and now they have a small playground as well, which may or may not be of interest to your 7yrold. Just a word of caution. It seems awfully hot in the late afternoon, don't know why but it does.

 

[swilphil]

I love Toms Sawyers Island. It's a great place to burn off steam and now they have a small playground as well, which may or may not be of interest to your 7yrold. Just a word of caution. It seems awfully hot in the late afternoon, don't know why but it does.

I actually was going to suggest that it's a nice place to go to cool off. The caves feel like you're walking into the a/c, plus there's tons of shade. We were there in July and loved going to the island for a break.

 

[disboo]

When our kids were little they really enjoyed it. One funny thing that happened was that I hid behind a corner in one fo the caves, then jumped out and snapped a flash photo of my family. Only, when I developed the film it wasn't my family but a totally startled stranger! Oops! It's dark in htere!

 

[DrTomorrow]

There's a great comment about TSI in the Unofficial Guide, about it being "one of the last unstructured play areas left in WDW".

 

[goofyernmost]

The caves feel like you're walking into the a/c,...

The chances are pretty good that they were....I don't know of many natural caves in that part of Florida, especially cool ones. It is a relaxing place to be none the less.

 

[bdcp]

The island is usually not really crowded and the kids enjoy the fort with the air guns and the caves. I do remember though that the caves are extremely dark and you really can't see where you're going.

 

[April76]

Actually, there are some lights in the caves, but your eyes need to adjust after being out in the sunlight. (I've bumped into a few walls myself - LOL!)

 

[bettyann29]

My kids loved it.. They were 7 and 9 at the time.. It was a nice place to go to get away from all the crowds.. They had a blast just running around and checking it out.. I say take them and let them explore and maybe they will find one of the paintbrushes if you go on the first ride of the day..

 

[dan-tot]

They used to have sandwiches there but it has been a long time since I was at aunt pollys.

Dan-tot

 

[CheapMom]

Thank you all so much. Running around with no real purpose is his specialty so that with the Tom Sawyer theme- I am sure he will love it.

 

[MidNite]

Can you tell me if there are bathrooms on the Island? I have been once, but I can't remember!

 

[mickeyluv]

One funny thing that happened was that I hid behind a corner in one fo the caves, then jumped out and snapped a flash photo of my family. Only, when I developed the film it wasn't my family but a totally startled stranger! Oops! It's dark in htere!

That is soooo funny. Sounds like something I would do!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Is the island still down for rehab, or is it open now?

 

[lham1531]

I don't know about rehabs but I'm pretty sure I read that Aunt Polly's had closed . . .

Do they only do the paintbrushes once a day? Or do they re-hide them throughout?

 

[gabbygrennell]

Do they only do the paintbrushes once a day? Or do they re-hide them throughout?