Tom Sawyer Island

[disney queen]

What do you think?? is this yes, no, maybe so....never been to it. no kids, just me on this trip.

 

[Elizamarie763]

I'm hoping somebody has some good insight on this; my boyfriend and I are going in September and I never went to Tom Sawyer Island as a child so I'm trying to decide if we should check it out or if it would be a waste of time.

 

[disneyhousewife]

It's very cute! The theming is great and it's a really nice place to take a foot break without having to sit on something awkward. I don't have kids either, so it took me about 30 minutes to explore it and take pictures, then I took a wonderful 30-40 minute break on the rocking chairs with my husband!

 

[luisov]

It kind of feels like some sort of secret place where you can go to relax far away from the crowded spaces, or at least that has been my experience. I mostly like that feel of privacy that many other areas don't have.

Other than that, there's not much to do there. If you are not a regular visitor, I'd spend the time somewhere else though.

 

[2Tiggies]

If you have the time it's worth a visit. It feels so secluded from the rest of the park. We found it was like stepping out of the gates for an hour in the midst of busy Easter crowds and the detail and theming is really great.

 

[tink2007]

I've been going to Disney my whole life and had never stepped foot on Tom Sawyer Island until last May. By our last day of our vacation, we were sick of counter service food, so my mom packed us sub sandwiches and snacks for our lunch. Someone had told me that there were picnic tables on TSI, so we decided to try it out. I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it and quiet is was. We ate at a little picnic table and then spent an hour exploring. My children(19) (22) and husband could not believe we had never taken the time to see TSI. They lived it ! Exploring the caves and the fort was very cool. We will defiantly plan a picnic there again on our next trip.

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

we have never seemed to make it over the tom sawyer on any of our trips to disney. the little rafts always seemed packed whenever we looked at visiting or they had stopped running. However i am making this on our to do list for out next trip, i know my boys will love running around on the island and being able to explore.

 

[wowdisney]

It is so pleasant to feel like you are in nature in such a busy park. It is worth going to if you have never been. I just wish they would get rid of the guns. I don't like my children playing with them, it leads to violence.

 

[disney queen]

thanks everyone!!! this is my second solo trip and the plan is to visit places/rides i have never done before or revisit places it has been quite some time since being there.

 

[Seeker615]

I went for the first time in 2012. It was my daughter and myself.

What a really cute place it was. We had fun walking around and exploring the paths and caves. Afterwards we sat on Aunt Polly's porch and watched the riverboats.

It was a nice break from the park.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I didn't do it until I was well into my 20s, with no kids, and I liked it. It's not something I would do every trip, but it makes for a nice break. Give it a shot.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Tom Sawyer Island is a must-do if you have kids that are 6-16 yo

But as an adult without kids, I would judge that the best reasons to go are:

- You are a big Mark Twain fan
- You like to explore (caves, secret passages, bridges, etc)
- You are looking to get away from the crowds for a little while (there is a GREAT place to rest near the old Aunt Polly's)

in 1972, Tom Sawyer Island was a 'D' ticket attraction (as was the Peoplemover and the Railroad) - just to give you some equivalency

It'll take about an hour to fully explore the attraction.

 

[DopeyDame]

Absolutely go! It's a fantastic get away and break in the middle of the day. Nothing super-duper-blow-your-mind-away-amazing, but a lot of relaxed fun.

 

[moozle]

My girls (7 and 10 now, but they have been going to WDW every December for the past 5 years) love Tom Sawyer's island! So does my husband. It's a nice chance to relax, run around, and just get a break from the hectic schedule of the rest of the trip.

That said ... I have only been once. I'm the only one in my family who loves rollercoasters, so I am always on Splash Mountain or BTM while they are over there.

 

[disney queen]

ok....i think i will add Tom Sawyer to my list!!

 

[CAS239]

If you've never been, and have some downtime in the park, then I'd say go.

My gf and I went for the first time late last year (Both of us 23yrs old) just because we had never visited the island. We roamed around and explored the whole island in about 30 minutes. Then road the boat back.

It was interesting exploring the island. But for us it was something you see one time then don't do again. I'd personally rather go wait in line for a ride than go to the island.

 

[L&Lfan]

I don't go every visit but I love the bridges. I find the caves too dark for me now (it's probably just my 55 year old eyes) and I have to feel my way through them looking, I'm sure, like Frankenstein's Monster, but I enjoy the island.

 

[disney queen]

L&Lfan, gotta agree about those eyes, only mine are 63!

 

[lucyddr]

We've actually never been to the island because we figured it wasn't worth it for our interests. BUT, our next trip will be our first trip with children. Our toddlers will be 20 months when we go.

Do you think the island would be safe/fun for little ones? Mine love to walk and look at things and love being outdoors. I'm thinking it might be a nice area for them, but figured I'd better ask first!

 

[Damien2213]

Its funny this is posted, we just got back from out trip tonight and we went to the Island for the first time. We didn't get long time to explorer it while we waited for our Splash Mountain FP but I did enjoy what we took in. The cave was cool. Reminded me a bit of Yogi's Cave from Kings Dominion without the animatronics. I concur with the rest of these fellow DIS'ers that the Island is quiet and a good way to get way from the crowds for a bit.