Tom Sawyer Island -- A plea to Disney

[Diznygrl]

TSI can STAY TSI as far as I'm concerned. The only thing I would suggest is like others have said, open Polly's back up or at least make the snack and drink machines functional. I think TSI is one of those simple pleasures that makes the park special in the first place. The rides and shows are great, but sometimes you just need a nice little oasis to relax and soak it all in. To me, that's real magic right there.

The pirates makeover would not make any sense at all at WDW, since PotC and TSI are in two completely different areas of the park, unlike at DL where the island is directly across the river from PotC (Personally, I don't like the pirate makeover anyway, and it will most likely be removed once the popularity of the already dwindling pirate franchise fizzles out.).

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?

IF they were to turn TSI into some kind of big-to-do attraction, I would rather them do something completely original that does NOT have a movie/character tie-in. Disney used to be pretty good at that.

 

[jayandstacey]

We were there in Aug 07 with our DD6 who has diabetes. Middle of the day, hot and the park was packed. As we waited with many others for our ride to TSI, my daughter felt 'low' and needed some sugar. "No problem" said I, the Disney expert "It is a busy time of year so aunt polly's should be open. If not, we saw vending machines on our last trip."

We trudged over there dragging my daughter. No dice, nothing. She passed out on the boat trip back (about 15 minutes had elapsed and most of it was on those hot, packed boats) and we had to carry her to a cart near BTMR that sold ice cream.

Now, I'm not saying Polly's should be open for health reasons. I'm just saying that...well, Polly's shows up on the map. Really, how hard can it be to sell just lemonade. Nothing else. Maybe fruit. At least on crowded days.

To paraphrase an earlier post - does anyone know when Polly's IS open?

 

[jayandstacey]

OK, so here's MY idea on what Disney could do with TSI:

Leave everything the same but add an open-air restaurant. It would have a BBQ/grill theme and would be like a Japanese Steak house - where people sit around a cooking surface built into their table (in this case a grill) and a chef comes to 'perform' by cooking the meals for the people seated around.

People can order chicken/burgers/dogs to be cooked there at the table, or maybe ribs or other things to come from the longer-cooking pit. The pit itself could also be like a giant bar, where people can just come up and order food and drinks, with the bar surrounding the giant BBQ pit.

Of course, this idea wouldn't make it past the newest Disney paralegal. But it would be fun, it would fit with the theme, and would (probably) be a money maker for Disney.

 

[ScrapperBelle]

I agree with the PP who stated that it would be nice to have an attraction WITHOUT a movie tie-in.

I've always thought TSI would make a great place to have a "National Parks" type attraction. You could have the rustic/backwoods/ccc camp feel of our national parks. It would fit right in with the themeing of Frontierland.

It would be nice to have a water play area out there. They could put in a geyser like at WL and a wading creek with some small "whitewater" areas.

Definitely reopen Aunt Polly's. One of my favorite things was to go out to TSI, grab a drink, sit in the shade and let the kids burn off some energy.

TSI is one of my fave areas in the park and I would hate to see it massively rethemed to one particular movie and basically used as another gift shop. On the other hand, even that would be better than having it closed for good.

 

[irunnoft]

I hope they leave TSI the way it is. I'd like to see Aunt Polly's reopen regularly and predictably. I'd like to see Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House stay and remain just the way it is. I'd also like to see the old management back at the Tiki Birds. I absolutely detest Gilbert Godfreid and his grating, annoying voice. I can't stand listening to the man speak. Seriously. I used to love the Tiki Birds, but I can't see it now because of their Aladinized update.

I don't like the trend of updating everything to tie in to a movie. Anybody see the refreshed It's a Small World in Disneyland? It's horrible! They did a reboot on the ride and put characters like Lilo and Stitch, Jessie from Toy Story, etc. in it. It totally makes no sense. They absolutely ruined that ride in my opinion.

 

[jayandstacey]

I hope they leave TSI the way it is. I'd like to see Aunt Polly's reopen regularly and predictably. I'd like to see Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House stay and remain just the way it is. I'd also like to see the old management back at the Tiki Birds. I absolutely detest Gilbert Godfreid and his grating, annoying voice. I can't stand listening to the man speak. Seriously. I used to love the Tiki Birds, but I can't see it now because of their Aladinized update.

I don't like the trend of updating everything to tie in to a movie. Anybody see the refreshed It's a Small World in Disneyland? It's horrible! They did a reboot on the ride and put characters like Lilo and Stitch, Jessie from Toy Story, etc. in it. It totally makes no sense. They absolutely ruined that ride in my opinion.

Agreed.

And I think from a financial standpoint, adding movie elements costs money but may also "go stale" much faster, resulting in a lower return on investment.

I understand that attractions need to be updated - that each area of the park has to 'pull its weight' either by being profitable if it sells stuff, or by being a place people will go if it doesn't.

But updating doesn't have to mean tying to a movie. What if PotC was tied to a then-current movie 15 years ago? Jack Sparrow would never have happened. TSI might add some updated food option (see my post above) or maybe some more immersive activities like the fort (think...another AK boneyard...) but it DOESN'T need primary colored cartoon characters.

 

[christa112]

We have been to WDW three times in the last 4 yrs and have never been to TSI. We usually go in Sept so it is pretty hot and usually the Love Bugs are out and about so we try to stay way from that water.

I am hoping to see it in Jan when we go, with my luck it will be getting refurbed.

 

[dexim54]

We were there in Aug 07 with our DD6 who has diabetes. Middle of the day, hot and the park was packed. As we waited with many others for our ride to TSI, my daughter felt 'low' and needed some sugar. "No problem" said I, the Disney expert "It is a busy time of year so aunt polly's should be open. If not, we saw vending machines on our last trip."

We trudged over there dragging my daughter. No dice, nothing. She passed out on the boat trip back (about 15 minutes had elapsed and most of it was on those hot, packed boats) and we had to carry her to a cart near BTMR that sold ice cream.

Now, I'm not saying Polly's should be open for health reasons. I'm just saying that...well, Polly's shows up on the map. Really, how hard can it be to sell just lemonade. Nothing else. Maybe fruit. At least on crowded days.

To paraphrase an earlier post - does anyone know when Polly's IS open?

Ok a few people stated they went over thinking it was open... to clear up how to know if it is open before getting on the rafts...this i know from being a former TSI raft driver. not only can you just ask the raft driver but on the TSI dock there is a sign that says if AP is open or closed. that might help things like what happened in the case above from happening.

 

[Macdonx]

Just because kids haven't seen Tom Sawyer or Swiss Family movies doesn't mean they can't read the books. My son's first trip to WDW was when he was 5, and he loved Tom Sawyer Island. Nope, he didn't know who Tom Sawyer was, but he didn't seem to mind. He's put it near the top of his list on each subsequent trip. And what's more awesome than a treehouse? Especially if you can build one (granted, not as all-purpose as the Robinson's) of your own. Disney's about imagination, and Tom Sawyer island lets kids make up their own stories and have their own adventures (instead of just watching the adventure unfold before their eyes). There's nothing wrong with that. I think that kids often get a vibe from their parents - why would you want to just play in a park when we've paid all this money to go on thrill rides?

This year, we're reading both Tom Sawyer and the Swiss Family Robinson before we go. Maybe they'll help him like the attractions more, but even if they don't, he'll still enjoy himself.

 

[rkwells]

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

Aunt Polly's was our favorite "get away" for lunch. Our family also misses it!

 

[tinkgurl]

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

I agree, they should do a major overhaul of TSI. We used to go over to TSI and always looked forward to eating at Aunt Polly's.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is really adjusting things based upon Cost Benefit. If an attraction doesn't maintain a certain level of attendance or if it costs too much of operate, Disney will close it down.

Where are the sky buckets, submarines, and clubs at Pleasure Island?

 

[mat5]

When did Aunt Polly's Close, anyone know?

 

[dexim54]

When did Aunt Polly's Close, anyone know?

It usually is only open during peak times, same deal like at the noodle station and diamond horseshoe

 

[tinkgurl]

It usually is only open during peak times, same deal like at the noodle station and diamond horseshoe

We go in the summer every year and have never seen it open the past few years.

 

[wall*e2008]

DH and I were on TSI in shortly before you were and we had drinks in the vending machine. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the peace and quiet. DH did not like the escape route from the fort. He had on a backpack, I was behind him, and was worried once or twice the pack was stuck. At that point the pack would have been difficult to remove. He never got stuck, but the narrow areas did give him some concerns.

 

[rootbeerkid]

The mention of Aunt Polly's resurrects a fond but distant memory. A family of five, with 3 energetic sons who, after rambunctiously exploring the island, had developed a healthy appetite. Much to our delight, Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches were on the menu. What a great fit! And it even came in a special Disney lunch bag that included a large cookie. The boys absolutely loved it. The lunch bags were neatly folded and returned to Ohio with us. I used them for about 2 years, carrying lunches to work. Opening them caused happy recollection of the faces on those young guys back on Tom Sawyer’s Island at Walt Disney World.

The more things change, the more things stay the same. The oldest of those boys will be 30 in a few years. The detailed memories fade for me but the feelings of content and happiness surrounding what Aunt Polly’s used to be, still shine bright.

 

[jenniferhouston2]

I know this would sound sacreligous to some, but how about a permanent retractable bridge (to allow the steamboat to pass by) to TSI where you can get on and off, carry food easily onto the Island. The worst part can be trying to get off TSI when its crowded, hot, and even the water fountains are in disrepair?

I love the suggestion of a National Park theme.

 

[Baron Hardup]

If Polly's were to reopen TSI would be perfect. It is the ONLY place in Magic Kingdom that you can relax with young children and escape some of the crowds. In fact, I would say little things like TSI are what make Disney stand out from your typical Six Flags type amusement parks where every square inch is converted into some sort of profit generator. Now granted, I understand Polly's needs to help turn a profit, and I would be willing to pay more for that service there, but it would be a shame to monkey around with one of the few historic hidden gems in MK. Open Polly's back up (all the time), charge more if need be, and leave the rest of the Island as is.

 

[RMulieri]

It usually is only open during peak times, same deal like at the noodle station and diamond horseshoe

Aunt Pollys is no longer seasonal and is in fact CLOSED.They moved vending machines over there a few years ago, and now they no longer maintain the vending machines either..Personally I think that TSI needs to be left to be. We do not need to dumb it down, or make it more modern by re-vamping it. Besides, I thought I had heard something about a remake of Tom Sawyers Island anyway