Farewell to thee, Tom Sawyer...

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 2:08 pm

From Al Lutz's column today:

http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al100306a.htm

In a theme park proposal that was crafted in the corporate offices of Burbank rather than the WDI design studios of Glendale, the Pirates franchise is planned to expand its presence at Disneyland for next summer's release of the third Pirates movie. While another tweak to the lavish 15 minute long E Ticket attraction was always part of the equation, much to the very noisy annoyance of some people at WDI, the corporate bosses are now eyeing an additional piece of property just across the Rivers of America from the ride itself in New Orleans Square.

The Burbank bigwigs have Tom Sawyer Island in their sights, and if the budget gets approved later this fall that 50 year old piece of Disneyland history will go the way of the Skyway and the House of the Future. What Burbank has proposed is an ambitious plan to restructure and retheme the island into a pirate playground, where Captain Barbossa and Davy Jones would displace the less than blockbuster Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher.

Wow. This effin sucks.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 2:21 pm

Wow. That makes me sad. I always loved Tom Sawyer's Island as a kid. I read the books, and always imagined what it was like to play on the island with Tom and Huck. I like how it looks from New Orleans Square.

No more pirates! Jeez.

csquare77 · Post by **csquare77** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 3:04 pm

Wow that does sick, hopefully they wont do it, 20,000 leagues is now a poohs play ground...

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 3:14 pm

csquare77 wrote:Wow that does sick, hopefully they wont do it, 20,000 leagues is now a poohs play ground...

that was just "pooh" mangement decisions.

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 3:19 pm

yeah well if they make this change, they should just Huck right off.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 3:48 pm

I Sawyer comment and was amazed that you feel that strongly about the island.

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 4:07 pm

It was a place of many memories for me... I spent time there Twain my early childhood and teen years...

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 4:16 pm

I loved Tom Sawyer Island, we used to hide and jump out and scare (they pretended to be scared) our parents. It was kinda nice to let the kids run around and get some energy out so they would sit still on a sit down ride. It has awesome memories for me. Not EVERYTHING has to be re-invented into a new block buster movie.

So does that mean that all of the OLD DISNEY CLASSICS will one day be phased out because they are toooo old in the memories of the now generation to be enjoyed.

The powers that be have no respect for the OLD DISNEYLAND and the attractions that are icons to some of us.........guess since I am 48 now I don't matter and my generation of memories are to be wiped out because they were just too long ago.........

OK, I will get off my soap box!

eagle4life69 · Post by **eagle4life69** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 4:21 pm

I do believe it is time for an update. Pirates not sure of but it is sad Walt Disney Had great ideas and now it is time for a update bring things into a new era. Not new must still be old but New.

Just Believe · Post by **Just Believe** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 6:33 pm

WHAT!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!

THIS IS A DISGRACE!!!!!!

I have SO many memories on Tom Sawyer Island. This is horrible! I think WDI is OVEREACTING to the blockbuster of Pirates. Next thing w know the park will be changed to JOHNNY DEPP LAND

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 6:34 pm

Do read the article... it's not WDI, but Burbank that is pushing this change. Glendale is just along for the ride.

Just Believe · Post by **Just Believe** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 6:39 pm

spaulo wrote:Do read the article... it's not WDI, but Burbank that is pushing this change. Glendale is just along for the ride.

Sorry

I was just so outraged that I had to say something to get my frustration out.

I wonder what WDI has to say about this?

But this doesn't make much sense? It ruins the theme of Fronteirland. When you're on the Rivers of America and you see 19th century Spalsh Mountain and possibly 19th to 18th century HM.... we go right to 17th Carribean???? This is the Rivers of America!!!!! NOT the Caribbean!!!!!

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 6:40 pm

They'll claim, of course, that it is an extension of New Orleans Square, not Frontierland or Critter Country.

Just Believe · Post by **Just Believe** » Oct Tue 03, 2006 6:46 pm

spaulo wrote:They'll claim, of course, that it is an extension of New Orleans Square, not Frontierland or Critter Country.

Typical

I hope they won't make it Pirates. Maybe a WHOLE NEW Frontierland or Critter Country Area. Tom Sawyer is Walt's passion but Disney could renovate it a bit.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 10:04 am

I wouldn't fret too much. If I recall right, Bob Iger or some other big wig is a huge fan of Tom Sawyer island and would never see it destroyed or changed.