Tom Saywer's Island - Paint Brushes?

[Chip126]

Can anyone tell me about finding the paint brushes at Tom Sawyers Island? I had read a couple of years ago that the had like a scavenger hunt looking for paint brushes. Does this still exist and what can you tell me about it.

I have wanted to venture off to the island my past two trips, but have not yet done it. When I go in December this is something I really want to do. I would love to hear anything you have to share about Tom Saywer's Island.

Many thanks,
Kim

 

[AspiringCindy]

What I've heard, is that you must be on the 1st boat over to
Tom Sawyer Island. So this means veerrrry early! If you are one of the lucky few to find a paint brush, you get to ride splash mountain without waiting.

 

[hockey mom]

My kids love this. The island opens at 10 and the first boatload of people are told about the paintbrushes. The limit is one brush per family and many times we have to hide one over again because all 3 of my kids had found one.

 

[Chip126]

I think the kids would love searching for the paintbrushes!

The kids ages that I will be traveling with are (2) 14 year olds, (1) 11 year old, and (1) 4 year old.

Can you tell me what is on the island that they will all enjoy.

Many thanks,
Kim

 

[valeriekc]

There are 2 caves to explore that are fun to horse around in.
The fort with the "secret escape tunnel" is very fun, the barrel bridge and Aunt Pollys...(soft drinks, ice cream, sandwiches)
Mostly our family enjoys the shade, no crowds, and the freedom to play around a bit. Now the raft ride over is a bit of a bummer in the hot sun...but the island is worth it to us!

 

[nowellsl]

My DD found a paintbrush on our trip in January. The driver of the boat didn't say anything about it on the way over but I knew about it from this board. She was so excited. We got a front of the line pass for either Big Thunder Mountain or splash mountain. It was funny because while we were looking for it we passed by a lady who had just picked one up and we overheard her saying "I found something" but you could tell she didn't know what it was. I wonder how many people find them and throw them away thinking they're just trash?!! It was pretty funny!

 

[alyssa810]

we looked but never found any...

 

[MPLsDad]

What do they look like? Anybody have a picture? Thanks!

 

[nowellsl]

They look just like regular paintbrushes (maybe 3 inches across). The one we found was green and had dried paint on the bristles (white paint). It looks just like someone was painting and laid the brush down and all the paint dried on it. We found it on some stairs.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Please give me an opinion on this.......

What if a 49 year old woman on a solo vacation found one of the paint brushes ? I would be really thrilled to pieces if I found one, and yet... would I be selfish to not save it for some
*other* kid to find ?

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by Claudia Kellenberger
What if a 49 year old woman on a solo vacation found one of the paint brushes ? I would be really thrilled to pieces if I found one, and yet... would I be selfish to not save it for some
*other* kid to find ?

Who says the paintbrushes are for kids?? You would NOT be selfish at all! Enjoy!

 

[Harambe]

Even if you don't make it over early enough for the paint brushes, still check out the island. You say you're going in December. If it is a crowded week, do EE at MK on an offerred morning, then head over to Aunt Polly's around 11, when the crowds begin. Sit in the shade, have a lemonnade and be amazed at the hordes of people filling the streets of MK!

After the kids have explored, take the raft back over, hop on the WDW train and ride it all the way to the exit. You won't have to fight the crowds!

I think I read somewhere that they no longer serve sandwiches, though. But they might during busy times!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Claudia-
I was wondering the same thing! Hope you find it on your solo trip to WDW. After all, don't we all turn into kids there?!

 

[nowellsl]

I say go for it!!! My DD was 18 when she found one. She really didn't believe me when I told her about it and then when the boat captain didn't say anything she was really skeptical. She was so excited when she did find it!! We had to take pictures of course. Wish I could post it but I don't have a scanner. We didn't even use the front of the line pass - she wanted to keep it for her scrapbook.

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

When we were last at WDW, we had heard about this and made sure we were on the first raft trip of the day (10:00). The raft guide explained to everyone on board that Aunt Polly had told Tom to paint the fence, and that he hid his paintbrush, thinking he'd get out of doing the job. She said if anyone found one, to bring it to her, but cautioned that any family finding more than 1 brush, would be made to stay behind to finish the job that Tom didn't do!! We made the mad dash and our son found one, which we turned in to the guide, who gave us the "golden ticket "(as we call it) which is a front of the line pass for your whole party to either Thunder Mtn or Splash Mtn. We took a picture of him getting it from the guide, and as they didn't collect it at the ride, he kept it as a souvenir. We wisely chose to wait till dark so we could use it for an end of the night ride without having to wait- it was terrific! The guide told me later, in response to me questioning her, that they usually only hide the paintbrushes for the first few raft rides of the day. Good luck to everyone, and please don't spoil the fun for others by trying to turn in more than one paintbrush per party!

 

[disneyjunkie]

DS and I did a paintbrush search on our trip, but didn't find any.

Son was 9 on that trip; he had a blast exploring the island. We took the first raft over on an EE day. It was a nice way to "relax" after the park open to off site guest.

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by Harambe
Even if you don't make it over early enough for the paint brushes, still check out the island. You say you're going in December. If it is a crowded week, do EE at MK on an offerred morning, then head over to Aunt Polly's around 11, when the crowds begin. Sit in the shade, have a lemonnade and be amazed at the hordes of people filling the streets of MK!

After the kids have explored, take the raft back over, hop on the WDW train and ride it all the way to the exit. You won't have to fight the crowds!

I think I read somewhere that they no longer serve sandwiches, though. But they might during busy times!

Last Dec Aunt Polly's was serving PBJ sandwiches only -- this was during a slow time.

 

[Horizons16]

wow this is cool i have never heard of this before! i will have to try it the next time we go to WDW!

 

[jiggerj]

I havent done this yet either chip but I have a friend that is going down in Dec. too. She really wanted to do this on her last trip to Disney but wasnt able too. I know she was bummed that she didnt so I hope that she will on this trip ! Go for it !