Why Tom Sawyer Island is special (and underrated)

[MaidMarian444]

Tom Sawyer Island is great because it’s one of the few places in the MK area where kids can run around and free play (without getting wet.)

I remember our first trip to WDW with young kids in 2017. We stayed at the Polynesian and one of the first things we noticed were all the kids swarming the big rock on the green, climbing it, and jumping off it. We quickly realized this rock was the only “playground” aside from the pool. There wasn’t a playground at Grand Floridian either. The kids were so desperate to run around that the green and the rock had to suffice as the place they got their wiggles out. It was kinda annoying to other guests!

The pool is great, but we were there in December and it was cold! Also, sometimes kids just need a quick 15 minute run around, not enough time to get on bathing suits, etc.

Once in the park, our kids got sick of waiting in lines and being strapped into rides and strollers.

Getting over to Tom Sawyer Island was a dream. They ran around, climbed on the structures, explored the caves, got a little lost on the twisty paths. We stayed an hour.

Yes, I understand why Disney thinks they need something different there, and why it’s not a popular attraction. I’m not one to get angry about change. Change happens. Nothing lasts forever, to quote the band Queen. I have our good memories of Tom Sawyer Island and I’ll def check out the new Cars land when it arrives!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I can relate. My 15 remembers some of her most enjoyable memories was running around the, ‘it’s tough to be a bug’ playground! Changes happen but it’s also fun to cherish the memories of what was too.

 

[Anna131517]

I completely agree. Amusement parks need areas where people can get away from the sensory overload and kids can roam free.

 

[BarbLynnM]

We love the Island! I like going into the spooky tight spaces of the “caves,” and will be sad to see it go. We are an older couple with no interest in Cars, so for us, it’s going to be a loss.

 

[BrianL]

Honestly, I think the island would be more popular if it was easier to access. I know that I don't go over there often, and it's mostly because of having to wait for a raft. Like, I don't want to get caught over there. I know the raft is part of the fun too, but if there was a way to access it on foot, I think it would get more traffic.

While I'm not heartbroken about the changes, I think I would prefer that they keep the island with maybe some major upgrades, instead of what they are proposing. It is what it is though - I can usually roll with it. The new areas do sound cool too, so, you know.

 

[MaidMarian444]

The raft is indeed kind of a pain! And sometimes they really squeeze a lot of people on there.

My fave “ride” when I first visited in the 80s was the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Wonder how long till they get rid of that one. But I get it, no one watches that movie anymore, even though I loved it as a kid.

Thanks for commiserating, all! Hoping my daughter and I get one last visit to the island in a few weeks.

 

[BrianL]

The raft is indeed kind of a pain! And sometimes they really squeeze a lot of people on there.

My fave “ride” when I first visited in the 80s was the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Wonder how long till they get rid of that one. But I get it, no one watches that movie anymore, even though I loved it as a kid.

Thanks for commiserating, all! Hoping my daughter and I get one last visit to the island in a few weeks.

They interestingly just redid the Treehouse at Disneyland back to Swiss Family from Tarzan. Officially, it is called "Adventureland Treehouse Inspired by Walt Disney's Swiss Family Robinson." Personally, I have always referred to it as "Stairs: The Ride."

 

[Jonnnyap]

You make an excellent point - this is a great spot for kids to explore and have free play time. Such places are being replaced with new attractions across WDW - the Bone Yard in AK and Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in HS were similar free play areas that are (or are soon to be) gone. The playground area in EPCOT remains and is a nice free play spot. Our kids loved these spaces over the years, so hopefully new, similar areas will be possible in the future around resorts, common spaces, etc.

 

[MaidMarian444]

Yes, and if they continue to remove play areas, the kids will just make their own, like that rock at the Polynesian, (if they haven’t taken it away, haven’t been back to that spot in a few years.)

In Pandora, if you’ve been there with young kids, it’s a constant battle stopping them from climbing on all those rocks. So enticing! I was glad when cast members would step in and also tell the kids to get off the rocks, they listen to strangers better than poor old mom.

 

[rdevans_2000]

Disney should absolutely continue to add play areas for small kids. Our so needed those breaks in the long days of lines and crowds. Gotta burn that energy!

 

[Jonnnyap]

Maybe the new way to burn off energy should be to run a loop around the EPCOT world showcase!

 

[kathy884]

I'm 64 and going to the MK in February with my 31 year old nephew and 29 year old son and we'll allocated a bunch to time to go over there one last time (nostalgia and fond memories).

There is so much to do in the MK and I'm sure the space is under utilized, but it's nice to take a break there, smell the roses, and take your time (not try to do and see everything at the MK). The Island is just such a nice break.

My son got interested in going due to photos of me and my brother there in the 1970s and it's been a must do for him ever since he saw those.

We these days really enjoy doing a lot of the older attractions at the MK some might consider lame with hardly any line. We just have a blast doing those.

 

[GrumpyBLT]

Was glad to get one last visit in last month. Love the views of Big Thunder Mountain from the fort.

 

[NickC]

Our kids loved Honey I Shrunk the Kids. (Me and my wife loved it too. We sat down and had a beer while the kids ran around) They still talk about it years later. I understand that things need to change, but they don't talk about the newest additions like they do about some of the older stuff.

 

[Pyxie]

Maybe they could add a play area to the Cars section? It would probably get more use since it would be easier to access.

 

[tx911]

Tom Sawyer Island is great because it’s one of the few places in the MK area where kids can run around and free play (without getting wet.)

I remember our first trip to WDW with young kids in 2017. We stayed at the Polynesian and one of the first things we noticed were all the kids swarming the big rock on the green, climbing it, and jumping off it. We quickly realized this rock was the only “playground” aside from the pool. There wasn’t a playground at Grand Floridian either. The kids were so desperate to run around that the green and the rock had to suffice as the place they got their wiggles out. It was kinda annoying to other guests!

The pool is great, but we were there in December and it was cold! Also, sometimes kids just need a quick 15 minute run around, not enough time to get on bathing suits, etc.

Once in the park, our kids got sick of waiting in lines and being strapped into rides and strollers.

Getting over to Tom Sawyer Island was a dream. They ran around, climbed on the structures, explored the caves, got a little lost on the twisty paths. We stayed an hour.

Yes, I understand why Disney thinks they need something different there, and why it’s not a popular attraction. I’m not one to get angry about change. Change happens. Nothing lasts forever, to quote the band Queen. I have our good memories of Tom Sawyer Island and I’ll def check out the new Cars land when it arrives!

Yeah, maybe they should've just built a bridge to TSI, put Villains land beyond Big Thunder, and put the Cars ride in place of Tomorrowland Speedway.

 

[1goofymom]

What a great place for kids just to run and play. Always one of my favorites places in the magic kingdom.

 

[MaidMarian444]

Here now, and my daughter and I did a quick mid-afternoon visit to MK to make a last visit to Tom Sawyer Island and also ride Haunted Mansion. Well, Haunted Mansion broke down before we could ride it. The line for the boat to TSI was longer than we remembered, but once we got over there, the crowds dispersed and we still got some pathways to ourselves with the nice Disney views. We went in all 3 caves (can you find them all?) and they are so dark and twisty, they still provide a little thrill. And without ever breaking down!

Goodbye Tom Sawyer Island, glad we enjoyed before you went away!

 

[Goofy4]

Here now, and my daughter and I did a quick mid-afternoon visit to MK to make a last visit to Tom Sawyer Island and also ride Haunted Mansion. Well, Haunted Mansion broke down before we could ride it. The line for the boat to TSI was longer than we remembered, but once we got over there, the crowds dispersed and we still got some pathways to ourselves with the nice Disney views. We went in all 3 caves (can you find them all?) and they are so dark and twisty, they still provide a little thrill. And without ever breaking down!

Goodbye Tom Sawyer Island, glad we enjoyed before you went away!

@MaidMarian444 I don't know if I've ever been to the island. Just too busy I guess. Perhaps my parents did take us once, but I don't remember it.

I will be at MK this weekend . What would you (or anyone) recommend for perhaps a 30-60 minute visit (no kids)?

 

[MaidMarian444]

@MaidMarian444 I don't know if I've ever been to the island. Just too busy I guess. Perhaps my parents did take us once, but I don't remember it.

I will be at MK this weekend . What would you (or anyone) recommend for perhaps a 30-60 minute visit (no kids)?

I’ll let people who are much better informed than me answer! I have never visited without kids! I like TSI in the afternoon as a way to escape crowds when few rides are available as an LL and all the standby times are long. But perhaps others would suggest Peoplemover or the train (which I have never been on) instead! We do notice in the middle of the day around lunch, the Main Street area and area right in front of castle are less busy than they are in mornings and later afternoon, so it’s a nice time to take pics and enjoy a popcorn or Mickey bar while people watching.