Thoughts on Cars Land replacing Tom Sawyer Island at The MK

[Tink-osophy]

People are framing this as a choice. It’s not a choice. There’s space for both Cars AND the iconic Rivers of America. Which would increase capacity more than what they’re doing.

Disney has forgotten what made it Disney.

This is what I think, too. I fear they are turning Disney into Universal.

Walt had the courage of his convictions and created something original and unique. I fear they are sitting in board rooms making speadsheet-only decisions and have forgotten the big picture and dare not be as creative and immersive these days. They've been removing details from resorts, too, haven't they?!

The areas of parks that don't seem to get the footfall can still be a big part of the theme, atmosphere and (almost unconscious) popularity.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think the riverboat would be a big loss. I'm hopeful there will be a way it can remain available as it has been, even if the route changes.
I would consider turning it into another upsell experience as a definite thumb in the eye.

 

[Moliphino]

Yup, right now the only way to get "beyond Big Thunder" is to go past Big Thunder. Having only one way in and out of Villains Land would be awful for flow and logistics. Redoing Rivers of America would allow them to create another pathway near Haunted Mansion/Fantasyland.

I'm also hoping that if Monster's goes into the Animation Courtyard in DHS, they can redo that area so it connects to both Toy Story Land and the Racing Academy, giving another point of ingress/egress with Sunset Boulevard.

It's a weird thing to get excited about, but I am really happy that this appears to be eliminating some dead end paths and improving flow.

 

[cabanafrau]

It's a weird thing to get excited about, but I am really happy that this appears to be eliminating some dead end paths and improving flow.

Improved crowd flow is something that can greatly impact the experience of everyone, even if it isn't appreciated on its face.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I think the riverboat would be a big loss. I'm hopeful there will be a way it can remain available as it has been, even if the route changes.
I would consider turning it into another upsell experience as a definite thumb in the eye.

They are draining & paving over the River... Entirely.

 

[BrianL]

They are draining & paving over the River... Entirely.

It looks like some water is being kept at the edge of the current Frontierland. You can see the boardwalk is still at least partially present. It's hard to tell how much water remains though, but I suspect that it probably runs up to Tiana's. It may be a much smaller waterway though in the end.

 

[fla4fun]

I think the riverboat would be a big loss. I'm hopeful there will be a way it can remain available as it has been, even if the route changes.
I would consider turning it into another upsell experience as a definite thumb in the eye.

They are draining & paving over the River... Entirely.

I wonder if they will use the boats elsewhere on property? Do we know if they are navigable without being on the guide rail? They do hold a lot of people, and it would be fun to see them out on Bay Lake or Seven Seas continuing to serve.

I wonder what new props they will put out along the railroad. That will be a mighty bland stretch along the backside of MK without the riverboat scenes.

 

[Boopuff]

I always take these announcements as a good thing. Yes we all wax nostalgic about loosing something, some ride or attraction. But as many point out Uni has been moving on new stuff, yet Disney fans want new, fabulous, better stuff, but not at the expense of old stuff. Personally, TSI isn't even on my radar. Last visit to it was well over 10 yrs ago. Back then Polly's was a great place to grab lunch/snack once that was gone... The riverboat is rather sad. I hope they dock it and maybe turn it into a fast food place!

 

[cabanafrau]

The riverboat is rather sad. I hope they dock it and maybe turn it into a fast food place!

That sounds sad to me. I think of the Riverboat a bit like the RR and the People Mover, an attraction that let's you step back out of the action for a bit and take a vantage point to view the surroundings while kind of getting a breather from the stimulation for a bit. For me those moments were always appreciated, particularly as attendance numbers crept up over the years while capacity definitely didn't come anywhere near keeping pace.

Those kinds of issues no doubt have an effect on behavior, which hasn't been trending toward the positive in recent years. I haven't visited since they're redesigned the hub and removed the areas around the castle I found to be a respite. I wonder if some of these decisions and changes are contributing some untended consequences in stealth ways we don't understand? I know when DLR was being constructed those in charge pushed the already squeezed budget as much as they could when it came to things like landscaping because they strongly believed it would have an impact far beyond mere aesthetics.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I'll really miss Tom Sawyers Island. My two boys are 28 and 31 now, but when they were younger, we went to Tom Sawyers Island multiple times each trip.

For quite a few years, they hid 6-7 paintbrushes around the Island before it opened each day. We would always be on the first raft over when it opened (it always opened much later than the rest of the park. Usually, 10:00 I think. So, we could hit our favorite rides before catching the first raft.) What fun we had searching for a paintbrush. You then would turn in your paintbrush and get a Pass to go on either Splash or Thunder Mountain for your entire family.

I always loved it when "Aunt Polly's" was open, and we would get a snack or drink and sit in the awesome rocking chairs in the relative quiet and watch the crowds across the water in Frontierland.

I like change and look forward to new things, but I will miss Tom Sawyers Island, and I feel a little sad that I won't be able to bring future grandkids over there to play.

 

[mccarthyag]

I really enjoy Cars Land at DL and I live in Florida so having something similar at WDW sounds great. But, I also love TS island at MK and have lots of great memories of it as both a child and adult. So, I still don’t know how to feel about it.

 

[Planogirl]

This is what I think, too. I fear they are turning Disney into Universal.

Walt had the courage of his convictions and created something original and unique. I fear they are sitting in board rooms making speadsheet-only decisions and have forgotten the big picture and dare not be as creative and immersive these days. They've been removing details from resorts, too, haven't they?!

The areas of parks that don't seem to get the footfall can still be a big part of the theme, atmosphere and (almost unconscious) popularity.

I wish that they would turn Disney into Universal in some ways. Universal is building areas with great theming and gradually not relying so heavily on thrill rides. Plus they found a way to expand which they really didn’t have room for. Disney seems content to replace and refurbish for the most part.

 

[Planogirl]

I'll really miss Tom Sawyers Island. My two boys are 28 and 31 now, but when they were younger, we went to Tom Sawyers Island multiple times each trip.

For quite a few years, they hid 6-7 paintbrushes around the Island before it opened each day. We would always be on the first raft over when it opened (it always opened much later than the rest of the park. Usually, 10:00 I think. So, we could hit our favorite rides before catching the first raft.) What fun we had searching for a paintbrush. You then would turn in your paintbrush and get a Pass to go on either Splash or Thunder Mountain for your entire family.

I always loved it when "Aunt Polly's" was open, and we would get a snack or drink and sit in the awesome rocking chairs in the relative quiet and watch the crowds across the water in Frontierland.

I like change and look forward to new things, but I will miss Tom Sawyers Island, and I feel a little sad that I won't be able to bring future grandkids over there to play.

I had forgotten about the paintbrushes. Yes, those were part of the extra touches that made the Disney parks so different.

 

[MamaMermaid]

We are excited! My 6yo is bummed about not getting to explore the caves anymore.

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

 

[MartyParty]

Maybe it’s been announced but I haven’t seen it yet. TSI and Rivers of America will be staying at Disneyland?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Won't miss Tom Sawyer's Island in the least. It was time for it to go. Won't miss the steamboat being gone either.

If you're into steam boats and Tom Sawyer, go to Hannibal, MO. It's time Disney replaced those.

Maybe it’s been announced but I haven’t seen it yet. TSI and Rivers of America will be staying at Disneyland?

Disneyland has Pirates Lair on TSI. Fantasmic runs there so you have to get there before it closes. And the back section of the river was already rerouted and filled in with Galaxy's edge.

 

[luvthatduke]

I feel like the island could be more popular if it were more accessible. It's the rafts that keep me from going all of the time. Like, I don't mind taking it to go over there, but if I need to get back quickly, I am kind of stuck.

THIS. When DS was young we watched the videos and DH, DS and myself
all thought what fun it would be.
Unfortunately, strollers didn't seem to be doable on the rafts or on the bridges,
and once DS had to use a wheelchair well... Let's just say, unless we were wrong,
it really stunk that the island seemed to be off limits to disabled children.
So, we've never been on the island and we won't miss it.

The riverboat was a nice, relaxing, ride with a stroller but we never
even attempted it with the wheelchair. I don't know if we could have.

OTOH, woo-hoo CarsLand!!
We've been wanting this for a long time, and we'll also enjoy
Monsters, Inc. and the villains.

 

[BayouQueen]

We visit TSI every trip. The little ones love it. Sure do hope they keep it at DL.

 

[kimmar067]

TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!

My kitchen is HM, I drive a Doom Buggy (with personalized tag), it was my first ride in 1971. Crowds were so bad Mom wanted to leave and I plopped down in front of the HM and said I'm not leaving. We got in that long line and been in ever since.....

.... I just may have you beat - we have a HM door opener to our home theatre that gets activated with our Magic Bands! And, it plays the "Welcome foolish mortals..." opening schpiel. Our DS and DD-in-L got it for us for Christmas.