Farewell to thee, Tom Sawyer...

Post by **subsonic** » Nov Wed 22, 2006 11:11 am

Yes, he said it quite well...well, in an indirect sort of way. He's going along the lines that I mentioned earlier, why not try and re-educate people. That would be a leader. As I said before, update it with cool technology in the caves stuff like the Davy Jones effect on Pirates but keep the theme Tom Sawyer. Kids will be curious what that is because it's cool.

Club33Fan · Post by **Club33Fan** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 2:33 pm

Well, folks, I hate change at Disneyland as much as anybody, but Tom Sawyer's Island is in need of something! It's pretty run-down. Whether the Pirate theming would work is anyone's guess, but it would certainly generate lots of interest. The question is whether it would last. It could be pretty cool if it were done right, and maybe they could still keep some sort of homage to Tom, Huck and Becky!

Post by **spaulo** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 11:57 am

Al Lutz has some news on the Tom Sawyer Island issue:

Stung by some of the public criticism the pirate island project received, particularly the surprisingly prominent editorial in the Los Angeles Times on the subject (that immediately made the rounds of executive offices in Glendale, Burbank and Anaheim), Disney has retreated a bit from its original intent to really expand the theme from the nearby Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride.

Instead, the WDI designers were relieved to remember that Mark Twain had written several chapters where Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Joe Harper all pretend to be pirates out on the Mississippi river. WDI has grabbed onto that original Twain plotline as a way to explain why Jack Sparrow will now be posing for tourist pictures on Disneyland's Tom Sawyer Island. As they try to maintain continuity with the 50-year-old Disneyland icon, the projects original working title of "Pirate Island" has now evolved into the more American literature friendly "Pirates Lair at Tom Sawyer Island," and that name will most likely stick.

Post by **subsonic** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 12:00 pm

That's a much better alternative. Again, if they just make it super cool with really big caves and neat scenes to look at I would go there.

e3751 · Post by **e3751** » Jan Wed 17, 2007 3:23 am

wow this is really sad news, I hate to see it happen.....

weluvmovies.com · Post by **weluvmovies.com** » Jan Wed 31, 2007 6:43 pm

unfortunately this was Disney's vision, that Disneyland would be an ever changing theme park. I don't particularly agree with all the decisions they've made as far as changes, but that's the rules. Maybe Disneyworld will stop deleting attractions and just keep adding, but DL doesn't have the room. It's sad... I miss the people movers!

Halvogirl · Post by **Halvogirl** » Jan Wed 31, 2007 11:29 pm

Okay. It looks like it is going to be an overlay along with the pirate overlay on new orleans square. here is a bit from the DLR weekly update from www.mouseplanet.com

Extensive enhancements will bring a rousing "Pirate's Lair" to Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland's Frontierland beginning in May. Building upon the hands-on play and exploration that have made the island a popular experience for children and adults for the past 50 years. "Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer Island" will take its inspiration from Tom and Huck's pirate games in the classic Mark Twain story, as well as from the renewed interest in pirates generated by the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and motion pictures. The attraction's opening will coincide with the summer opening of Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Fun and interactive surprises will be encountered throughout "Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer Island" and will include pirate details added to Tom & Huck's Treehouse and to the traditional Smuggler's Cove, with its fun and challenging rope and barrel bridges. Among the other adventures to be found on the island will be a "Dead Man's Grotto" in the island caverns, a "Pirate's Den" on the familiar Castle Rock, and opportunities to search for buried treasure while encountering live pirates.

ldzny · Post by **ldzny** » Feb Thu 15, 2007 4:00 pm

I'm in to an update, I didn't go over last time I went. I was afraid of losing my boy... I'd like to see the old skull rock thing back too and that would be a great venue for it.

realcal · Post by **realcal** » Apr Tue 17, 2007 10:39 am

ldzny wrote:I'd like to see the old skull rock thing back too and that would be a great venue for it.

Now that would really pump this thing up a few nothches... But it is most likely a "skin" on the existing elements.