Tom Sawyer's Island

[blitzkrieg048]

We've never been to Tom Sawyer's Island before. Is it worth it and how do you get over there? I know it's in the MK. What is on the Island?

 

[snowglobe girl]

You get over to it by boarding a "log raft" near Splash Mountain ride. It is more of a diversion for children. There are trails that wind around the little island, caves, a fort, and Polly's Dockside Restaurant which is only open seasonally. If you have little kids, they may find it enjoying. Since we don't have kids yet, we usually skip it or go once every few years. It is pretty cute and you can see a lot of it from the steamboat cruise.

 

[mkpat]

I agree with snowglobe girl. If you have little kids they may get a kick out of it, but it was okay in my book. It is cute, though.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We went over there 2 years ago just to see what it was about. My DS's enjoyed the raft ride over. After walking on the trails for a bit, the kids spotting a jungle gym with a rope that they would climb up on. For my DH and I it was a nice breather and plus we were in shade. As we were waiting to get the raft back, there was a table set up with checkers that the kids played with. All in all nothing excited but a nice place to cool off in the shade.

 

[MagicalMom]

We always skip Tom Sawyer's Island, but this time I am really, really looking forward to it. We were just there in July, so I don't feel much of a need to see Pooh, Peterpan & many of the other things that are still so fresh in our memories. We are going to run straight to the Island as soon as we get in! I'm really looking forward to something new. I haven't told my kids about the paint brushes, just in case they aren't doing it then or we don't get there early enough, but I really hope they find one. I would be so exciting for them.

 

[DVC Jen]

We like it because it is a bit slower pace and not usually as crowded as other areas of the park. It makes for some nice "quiet" down time.

 

[pumpkinfish]

DH and I don't have kids, but we love to go over to the Island and relax. This is a great spot when it is warm outside. We usually play throughout the caves and then go to the fort and watch the kids playing around. We tend to relax here for a while and drink some of our water and maybe play a game of checkers.
Also, we head over to Aunt Polly's where she is open seasonally and serves sandwhiches (including PB&J YUM!!!). I really love going through the mill, and also feeding he numerous ducks around the Island!

 

[mkpat]

I didn't think it was big enough to hold a restaurant, but we didn't explore the whole island, though.

 

[erinch]

I grew up an hour away from Disneyland in the 60s.
Tom Sawyer island is one of my earliest memories, and it was always a MUST do. I've loved establishing it as a tradition with my kids. Even more special when they finally read the book. When they get to be about 7 or 8, it's fun to go exploring on their own, then come back to find mom and dad.

 

[pumpkinfish]

I didn't think it was big enough to hold a restaurant, but we didn't explore the whole island, though.

It's actually a small outside counterservice. Nothing much, but there is seating and rocking chairs (DH and I LOVE these!)

 

[jswalker1981]

We always skip Tom Sawyer's Island, but this time I am really, really looking forward to it. We were just there in July, so I don't feel much of a need to see Pooh, Peterpan & many of the other things that are still so fresh in our memories. We are going to run straight to the Island as soon as we get in! I'm really looking forward to something new. I haven't told my kids about the paint brushes, just in case they aren't doing it then or we don't get there early enough, but I really hope they find one. I would be so exciting for them.

I went to MK a week ago, and they were doing the paintbrush thingy. The only way I know is because I rushed their as soon as I got into the park around 9 or so, and on the raft ride over, I saw a family with two kids, and both of them had brushes!!! No better feeling then knowing that 2 out of 5 brushes were already gone! Of course I never found any other brushes. On the trip over, I heard a girl say she was going to find one, I am so competitive I wanted to toss her over the side of the raft (the water is only like 3 feet deep). I wasn't actually going to do it, but I really want to find the brushes, but back to my original thought, they still do the paint brushes. The Island is pretty fun, I love going through the caves. A great way of passing time waiting for a fast pass return on either splash or thunder mountain.

 

[Sammy]

We went over for the first time in Sept. 2003 to check it out. It was such a nice, relaxing break from the heat and hustle of the day! We walked all over the place, did the caves, played at the fort, fed the birds/fish, and just spent some time rocking on the porch. Very nice. We were there mid-afternoon, and as we were coming off the steps by one of the old buildings, DD-8 spotted a paintbrush hidden in the bushes! I was very surprised as it was so late in the day, but she turned it in and we got a special "ticket" we could use on Splash Mountain or BTMR (without waiting in line).

Sammy

 

[swilphil]

I love TS Island, and so do my kids. We did skip it during spring break because I was afraid it would be too muddy. It's a wonderful place to take a break, especially late in the day when it is hot. My kids loved the caves and jungle gym.

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

HAve they solved the problem of the odors coming from cave yet? I still have nightmares about that smell, but other than that TSI rocks

 

[pumpkinfish]

HAve they solved the problem of the odors coming from cave yet? I still have nightmares about that smell, but other than that TSI rocks

That's so funny you mentioned those lovely smells!

I honestly don't mind them, just chalk them up to "cave smells". But anyways, I work clothing retail, and we just received a skirt in that smells EXACTLY like those caves! I think it might be a chemical used in the washing of the fabric, or something...but I walked by them the other day and KNEW that smell was familiar!

 

[Nora94]

If you have kids, do it!! I went to DisneyLand when I was 9 and I still remember Tom Sawyer's Island over 25 years later! It's one of the few things I have vivid memories of from that day.

Glad to know it's at the World too, not just the Land. I will be a teary eyed happy camper remembering that summer so long ago. Kids and dh hate when I get like that, lol.

Nora, 21 days to lift off

 

[sleepyone]

Last year we had fun there for a little while, at least. It started pouring down while we were on the island. We sat at Aunt Polly's until a raft came to pick us up. We stood on the raft half-way between the island and the dock in the pouring rain for a very long time while they tried to dock another raft. Then the big pretty boat (sorry don't know the name) came through & we had to back up until it passed. We were drenched but having fun! Is Aunt Polly's closed for good?

 

[LeeAnn]

Is Tom Sawyer Isalnd good for a 17 month old and 2 1/2 year old?

 

[pumpkinfish]

Is Tom Sawyer Isalnd good for a 17 month old and 2 1/2 year old?

I honestly think that it is better for 3-12 yr olds. There isn't much for the little-little ones, except maybe having them feed the ducks, and even taking them around throughout the caves, ect. Then again, it isn't geared at adults either and DH and I love this place