Thoughts on Cars Land replacing Tom Sawyer Island at The MK

[Moliphino]

at least we have the riverboat attraction in Anaheim. After all, I think the less copying between the two coasts the better.

They have a riverboat in DLP, too. Frontierland in DLP is probably nicer than WDW, with the improved BTMRR and Phantom Manor.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

They have a riverboat in DLP, too.

Tokyo as well.

 

[cabanafrau]

I would suggest that we take notice of other attractions or areas where upkeep slacks off, and watch for that area to be gutted next.

So many things are left in questionable condition anymore that I'm not sure it's a reliable indicator of much beyond negligent attitude regarding maintenance and/or poor show. You would think that if they're so completely averse to addressing capacity for more than a decade while attendance boomed and those dollars poured in that they might have elected to use some of the largesse to see to it that things were in pristine working order. Hmm . . .

 

[WEDWDW]

Just a note-WDW Railroad fans should start riding as much as possible in the coming days before construction starts.

Looks like that bad boy is going to be down for LONG periods of time for quite a while.

 

[slo]

Just a note-WDW Railroad fans should start riding as much as possible in the coming days before construction starts.

Looks like that bad boy is going to be down for LONG periods of time for quite a while.

Yes - my DH just told me this yesterday. It’s understandable, but annoying. It just got back up and running since being down for Tron

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Just got this from DFB (Disney Food Blog). Looks like I won’t be going to Tom Sawyer Island or riding The Ferry in March.

You have no idea how hard I’m kicking myself right now for dragging my feet with both of these things - I’ve been going since 1976 - why have I not done this?? Ugghhh…..so annoyed with me right now

Sorry for the bad picture - It’s a picture of my computer screen at work

View attachment 886040

So sorry to hear that... We never missed either one & enjoyed them for decades of visits. MAYBE you'll be able to visit again before they're gone.

 

[Chili327]

I've replied a few times already on this and I still don't like the idea of that area going away, but do understand, Indian Village at DisneyIand had to go to make room for cool stuff too (Pirates, Haunted Mansion, New Orleans Square, etc).
So I get the business decision, but this one just seems to be more than just smart business, I think it kills something, & removes a vibe that will no longer exist in MK. (I've only been there once, but still, that wooden path was one of the most amazing things about the park) Similarly, if they removed Carousel of Progress or The PeopleMover in Tomorrowland (maybe its just me being a DLR local), but that would be devastating and change the whole feel of the land, & I just can't see anything making that feel ok.

Listening to this podcast this morning, he seems to feel the same & explained it well.
https://tomorrowsociety.com/losing-rivers-of-america-podcast

 

[Chili327]

So sorry to hear that... We never missed either one & enjoyed them for decades of visits. MAYBE you'll be able to visit again before they're gone.

Hopefully they start in the back, & leave the river & the island alone for as long as possible.

 

[slo]

Hopefully they start in the back, & leave the river & the island alone for as long as possible.

I'm selfishly really hoping for this too.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Hopefully they start in the back, & leave the river & the island alone for as long as possible.

Cars is going to be done first so you can have the possible expansion of walkways around

 

[Chili327]

I'm selfishly really hoping for this too.

I am planning a trip next October (2025), not sure they will hold out that long, but fingers crossed.

Cars is going to be done first so you can have the possible expansion of walkways around

Walkways wont help, I want to lean against the fence on the wooden path eating a corndog watching the river boat go by.

I would imagine the first thing they do is remove the boat & drain the river, unfortunately the rest wont matter after that, it'll just be Frontier-WALL-land, & Liberty-WALL-Square.

 

[HokieRaven5]

I am planning a trip next October (2025), not sure they will hold out that long, but fingers crossed.



Walkways wont help, I want to lean against the fence on the wooden path eating a corndog watching the river boat go by.

I would imagine the first thing they do is remove the boat & drain the river, unfortunately the rest wont matter after that, it'll just be Frontier-WALL-land, & Liberty-WALL-Square.

Yes, first thing will be draining removing the boat and regrading the whole area, then building the Cars area in the front 4-5 Acres of Rivers of America to get that done first with pathways around that add a second way to connect Liberty Square to BTMRR as well as the Villains land that will take up the back 8-10 Acres of Rivers of America.

 

[BrianL]

I've replied a few times already on this and I still don't like the idea of that area going away, but do understand, Indian Village at DisneyIand had to go to make room for cool stuff too (Pirates, Haunted Mansion, New Orleans Square, etc).
So I get the business decision, but this one just seems to be more than just smart business, I think it kills something, & removes a vibe that will no longer exist in MK. (I've only been there once, but still, that wooden path was one of the most amazing things about the park) Similarly, if they removed Carousel of Progress or The PeopleMover in Tomorrowland (maybe its just me being a DLR local), but that would be devastating and change the whole feel of the land, & I just can't see anything making that feel ok.

Listening to this podcast this morning, he seems to feel the same & explained it well.
https://tomorrowsociety.com/losing-rivers-of-america-podcast

Well, on the plus side, it looks like the wooden path, at least part of it, is still in the concept art. The waterway next to it might be scaled down, but I think that will still be there.

 

[tx911]

I am planning a trip next October (2025), not sure they will hold out that long, but fingers crossed.



Walkways wont help, I want to lean against the fence on the wooden path eating a corndog watching the river boat go by.

I would imagine the first thing they do is remove the boat & drain the river, unfortunately the rest wont matter after that, it'll just be Frontier-WALL-land, & Liberty-WALL-Square.

That's a lot of WALLS. We need a WALL-E attraction!

 

[Chili327]

Well, on the plus side, it looks like the wooden path, at least part of it, is still in the concept art. The waterway next to it might be scaled down, but I think that will still be there.

Something left would be great for sure... and like I said Disney is going to create something great, I'm sure it'll be amazing, especially if someone hasn't ever been there, but now that I have I want to enjoy it longer before its gone. lol

 

[BrianL]

Something left would be great for sure... and like I said Disney is going to create something great, I'm sure it'll be amazing, especially if someone hasn't ever been there, but now that I have I want to enjoy it longer before its gone. lol

I think there will be some water at the edge of current Frontierland with the boardwalk going at least up to Tiana's near the bridge. Then you will have access to the Cars area from past that bridge and around from near where the riverboat dock is now. It's a bit hard to tell form the painting though and, of course, that can change too.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

We did enjoy TSI when our kids were younger, but haven't been over there in 15 years. DH and I like the feel of the area and are a little sad to see that go, but I'm sure we'll love Cars Land! It was our favorite on our visit to Disneyland

I have to say, on our 9 trips to WDW over the years, we were only able to ride the Riverboat once because it was never running! Maybe it was bad timing on our part, we usually went early November and once at the end of August. We just visited over New Years '24 and that was our first attraction in MK lol. Glad we got to experience it once!

 

[Chili327]

I think there will be some water at the edge of current Frontierland with the boardwalk going at least up to Tiana's near the bridge. Then you will have access to the Cars area from past that bridge and around from near where the riverboat dock is now. It's a bit hard to tell form the painting though and, of course, that can change too.

Well maybe there is hope, for something.

We did enjoy TSI when our kids were younger, but haven't been over there in 15 years. DH and I like the feel of the area and are a little sad to see that go, but I'm sure we'll love Cars Land! It was our favorite on our visit to Disneyland

I have to say, on our 9 trips to WDW over the years, we were only able to ride the Riverboat once because it was never running! Maybe it was bad timing on our part, we usually went early November and once at the end of August. We just visited over New Years '24 and that was our first attraction in MK lol. Glad we got to experience it once!

That also may be part of their decision to remove it. If there are issues we don't know about, or safety concerns with people jumping in the water, or other.

 

[pwdebbie]

YES YES YES.


And this is what is happening. Those of us that have been going for 40-50 years still remember the old TSI and the folks who haven't been going for decades see it for what it is.

Remember the hidden paint brushes? TSI was adventure and exploration, something most kids today don't get to experience or know how to experience. I'm blessed to have grown up with a woods behind my house that fostered all sorts of creative play, and my kids also were raised with woods (our current home is in a little village surrounded by a state forest). Our first trip to WDW was as empty-nesters, and we loved exploring TSI. I'm sorry it isn't appreciated and that the trees and natural landscaping will be replaced with buildings, walkways, and attractions.

 

[pwdebbie]

....I really HATE when the Imagineers make renderings that look like Thomas Kinkade paintings...they're so ambiguous.

Yes, these artists' renderings are so far from reality that it is hard to actually picture what is going to be there.