Tom Sawyer Island -- A plea to Disney

[jenniferhouston2]

Like many of you, I have fond memories here as a kid...loved the caves and fort.

We took our kids here on June 10, and were disappointed. Despite the signs and park information telling you that there were refreshments at Aunt Polly's, everything is closed. EVEN THE VENDING machines are now closed. Is it really that tough logistically for Disney to keep vending machines stocked with drinks?

Up until 11:30, they were only running one raft causing there to be a 15 minute wait to get to the island, and then 20-30 to get off the island.

TSI has SO much potential, and the cave and mine and fort are still fun. But, if they could turn the Island into a lunch or snack destination, it would make TSI much more schedule friendly.

 

[demonskrye]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to suggest this, but I'm suprised Disney hasn't rethemed the island for PotC. I'll admit that I've never been to TSI so I can't say for sure whether doing so would completely ruin it or not. But I think you're right that it needs to have some kind of draw. Without a solid restaurant, a must-see attraction, a character meeting opportunity, or a tie-in with a hot property, TSI just isn't that attractive to guests with limited time in the World. Maybe there are kids today who know who Tom Sawyer is, but I doubt they're clamoring to go and see TSI unless they have their hearts set on checking out absolutely everything or their parents are up for something a little more low key. I guess the main obstacle to a Pirates retheme would be that TSI is technically in Frontierland. But a live pirate show and an opportunity to meet Captain Jack would probably give TSI a big boost in guest interest.

A good restaurant would be a nice draw too, since I tend to thing the Magic Kingdom is a little lacking in that department. Still you would have to really push to get the word out that TSI features food not to be missed, since you're still asking guests to take time to ride the raft there and back to a location without a lot of obvious Disney appeal.

If anyone has a better idea, I'd be interested in hearing it.

 

[frisco]

I think there's enough POTC already, and with it's popularity waning, I don't see anymore likely.

I think the setup of TSI is great, but I agree, they should reopen Aunt Polly's, servce real PBJ sandwiches, watermelon, ice cream.

 

[FidlMom]

I LIKE that it doesn't have a big draw of people, because it's a nice oasis. We were there during President's week. All the rest of MK was packed, but TSI was fairly quiet. We brought in a picnic lunch (we had gone to Walmart and picked up bread, cold cuts, and fruit) and were able to eat it in peace.

It would be nice, though, if they at least had the vending machines working.

 

[chessie]

Maybe some of the attractions based on older movies might take on new meaning with the new Vault Disney Collection . I don't know how long they have been out but I just noticed them yesterday at Wal-Mart. Things like Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, Tow Sawyer, Old Yeller, The Castaways, and I can't remember the rest. I picked up Swiss Family Robinson and plan to pick up Tom Sawyer the next time.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We always go and enjoy it. We especially like the "bridge" and always have laughing fits!

I agree it would be very nice to have Pollys atleast serve a cold drink or maybe just ICE CREAM....but even without anything to drink/eat, we'll continue to visit...

What a great idea though (as someone mentioned) to being a snack or lunch and relax for some quiet....a good idea, I may do this year...the tables are still there right???........

 

[laceemouse]

We had delicious sandwiches at TSI several years ago, so sad that they closed it

 

[Pixiedust34]

I would love it if Aunt Polly's sold a "picnic in the park" meal like at AK and then people could easily picnic on TSI. Ice cream would be nice to buy over there, too.

 

[ekatiel]

MY boys LOVED TSI during our visit in May. The day that they hung out with the grandparents so DH and I could do Epcot alone, my mom and dad said they spent 2 and a half hours there! Then they took us back the next day to show us the island. A restaurant there would have been great, but the boys did really enjoy it, even without a restaurant. --Katie

 

[SKTiger]

I would love it if Aunt Polly's sold a "picnic in the park" meal like at AK and then people could easily picnic on TSI. Ice cream would be nice to buy over there, too.

Ditto! TSI would be a great place for a picnic and to give kids a break to "be kids" and just run around for awhile!

 

[Wall-E1]

I agree. I have never been there when Aunt Polly's was open. I would love to eat there on the island. It's so peaceful sitting there and watching the herds of people across the river. There is so much open space on the island. It really is a refreshing break from the crowds. They should absolutely have the vending machines working, at the very least.

 

[zackiedawg]

I admit I rather like TSI as it is. However, the double-edged sword is that it will be fated to close if noone visits, so the very thing I like about it is what will kill it! I go over there to relax and get away, especially at crowded seasons. I enjoy when Polly's is open, because I can grab a sundae and a coke, and sit under the gazebo watching Haunted Mansion, Liberty Square's bustle, and the Liberty Belle paddling by. When Polly's is closed, I still like to go over to the gazebo seating just to kick back and relax for a bit.

I can't disagree about the vending machines - the least they could do is keep those stocked and open. And a pirate rehab like what was done at Disneyland would be fine by me, since it mostly changes the fort theming and the various little bits and pieces plus the caves get more intricate theming. I love the classic Tom Sawyer theming, but times do change, and I like Disneyland's fairly restrained pirate makeover with some nice touches...so I would be OK with that. Polly's could still be essentially the same - maybe a new name, but same purpose...but the increased crowds might prompt them to keep it open more of the year.

I do miss the old days of Aunt Polly's, with the tasty cold fried chicken!

 

[RMulieri]

I think they should re-open Aunt pollys. I do not want a POC re-theme. For one Pirates has been done-to -death.I loved the movies but we don't need to re-theme every single thing to only the popular movies.Second, the only reason DL re-themed their TSI to POC was because POC is literally near its version of TSI. At WDW they are in 2 separately themed areas.

 

[slappy magoo]

Not to risk ruining the quiet oasis of so many people, but I wish they'd reopen Aunt Polly's as, at least, a QSR. Having a QSR on the island would help thin out guests at the other counter service eateries. I'd bet a shiny apple many of the TSI fans here would love to eat lunch on the island before or after some random playing.

 

[TGaines107]

zackiedawg hit it on the head as to my thinking. I miss Polly's, the burning cabin, etc. It's all "old school" Disney. But heck, who knows about Davey Crockett anymore? Even though Fess Parker was in one of the greatest Disney shows ever! Heck, I'm suprised they even sell muskets and coonskin hats over in Frontierland anymore.

 

[SpectroMax]

I'm not a huge TSI fan, but understand the emotional attachment some people have to it.

However, I think that in the next 5-10 years you can bank on the land being taken up for attractions. MK is pretty full, and TSI is based on a story that very few people associate with Disney any more. I see it sadly or not falling by the wayside.

 

[dawnbu40]

We were in WDW last month and visited TSI for the first time in 12 trips! We are a family of adults but we thought it was a great place for parents with young kids to take them to relax away from all the excitement of the park. We enjoyed how peaceful the island was and I would hate for it to lose that charm by being made into some other attraction. For those who mentioned it would be a good picnic spot....it already is. We saw a few families who had brought their own lunches and were picnicing on the island. They looked to be having a wonderful time!

 

[t_catt11]

why not make your please directly to Disney, instead of posting them on a forum not associated with the company?

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[demonskrye]

I can see why people would like TSI as it is and I get the argument that PotC may have peaked in popularity (though I'd still like to see a Pirates retheme of the Swiss Family Treehouse.) But i agree that one of the very things that people seem to like about TSI - how quiet and uncrowded it is - is the very reason why it's unlikely to stay the way it is for too much longer. My guess is that Disney wouldn't be closing everything down to the vending machines on TSI if they felt they could make enough money selling food there to justify the expense. If you can't buy food on TSI, it probably means that not enough people come to TSI to make selling food profitable enough.

A picnic lunch offering could be nice, but again, I don't know if food alone is going to be enough to convince guests to make the trip. Disney can't really promote that TSI is an nice place to relax away from the crowds; pointing it out could eliminate the low-crowd aspect and it may not be an appealing enough argument to families and other guests looking to get the most bang for their Disney buck. A place to take a break is nice, but if it takes too long just to get there and get back, it may not seem worth it.

Barring the addition of a really amazing restaurant which builds a reputation as must-try very quickly, I think TSI is going to need something that makes it more of an attraction and less of a rest stop in the park. It may be OK for the next few years until Disney is in better financial shape and more willing to take on big projects. But after that, I think it's going to be looked at for a makeover. The execs will argue that kids don't know who Tom Sawyer is and many adults may not either, so the first impression the whole concept gives is "okay to skip." As Disney likely sees it, it's a good size chunk of the park that doesn't get much traffic and therefore doesn't encourage enough people to buy food and souveniers.

The problem I keep coming up against when I think about what TSI could be turned into is that it's in Frontierland and the only vaguely frotier related thing Disney had done recently is the Toy Story films, which are already adequately represented in the parks. Any thoughts?

 

[Liz&Griff'smom]

Is Aunt Poly's closed for good or is it only open seasonally?