Farewell to thee, Tom Sawyer...

soccermouse · Post by **soccermouse** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 11:06 am

I do think that something needs to be done to make it a bit better. My kids have never been able to play in Fort Wilderness like I remember doing. I watched a video which showed a number of other features of the island that are no longer there - some good, some not so good. I am not sure what I think about the Pirate idea!?!

Post by **subsonic** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 11:52 am

When I first read this I was outraged, before this reply I was already posting it in the chat as well as to some of my friend who don't visit these sites. In the middle of all this I realized, I don't go to Tom Sawyer's Island anymore.

While I have great memories of the place it has lost it's appeal to me. The island definitely is due for an upgrade. I can understand how Pirates are main stream right now and Disneyland did a small update to the Island a few years back which only brought me there for one visit which received a "Huh, that's all?" from me.

I feel that if Disney added a larger cave with cool effects and upgraded their current caves it wouldn't matter what theme was on the Island. They should stick to Walt's favorite, Tom Sawyer, add in appealing features to get this generation of youth interested in the classics. Lord of the Rings is a prime example, because the movies came out people were (re)reading the books.

foldmama · Post by **foldmama** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 12:38 pm

I agree with subsonic, at first I was upset but then realized that we only visited the island when my nephew was really young. Once the kids hit about 4 or 5 there is not enough for them to do. Plus it takes a long time to wait for the raft to come and go. They can definitely make Tom Sawyer island at lot more appealing and help today's kids more interested in the classic. As it is now in WDW, it's not worth the time for a vist.

Eileen

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 7:43 pm

I agree with some cave updates, I hit my head on the darn walls all of the time. In addition I say re-build Fort Wilderness, with preasure treated wood. If they WERE to turn it into a pirate themed island they couldn't call it Rivers of America.

Just Believe · Post by **Just Believe** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 7:46 pm

subsonic wrote:When I first read this I was outraged, before this reply I was already posting it in the chat as well as to some of my friend who don't visit these sites. In the middle of all this I realized, I don't go to Tom Sawyer's Island anymore.

While I have great memories of the place it has lost it's appeal to me. The island definitely is due for an upgrade. I can understand how Pirates are main stream right now and Disneyland did a small update to the Island a few years back which only brought me there for one visit which received a "Huh, that's all?" from me.

I feel that if Disney added a larger cave with cool effects and upgraded their current caves it wouldn't matter what theme was on the Island. They should stick to Walt's favorite, Tom Sawyer, add in appealing features to get this generation of youth interested in the classics. Lord of the Rings is a prime example, because the movies came out people were (re)reading the books.

See... finally someone is thinking outside the box.

I very much agree with all of you!!! "If you upgrade it then people will come"

Post by **sockfire** » Oct Wed 04, 2006 9:50 pm

Sounds like an awesome idea! I couldn't think of a better way to upgrade the island. Kids will love it! 8)

Don't get me wrong, I have great memories of the island. But I also see tons of potential there.

Change is a healthy process, and good for the well-being of the park.

bigthunderlover · Post by **bigthunderlover** » Oct Fri 13, 2006 4:50 pm

I loved that Island as a kid! It was fun riding the raft over and discovering what all the different things did. And getting lost in the tunnels. Good times! I'm kinda torn between the two. I have a lot of memories of that Island but I LOVE pirates. And as long as it's a "playground" then Toon Town shouldn't get too overcrowded with rowdy little kids. The same feeling happened with me when they changed The Swiss Family Robinson Tree house to Tarzans Treehouse. You just have to let it grow on you. I must admit they did a really good job on tarzans tree house. PLus if it's still got all the caves and tunnels and stuff for the kids to explore except now they are pirate coves then what's the harm in that? It's still adveturous fun for everyone. It's just this generations version of adventure. Last generation's was cowboys and indians, now it's pirates. Don't worry about it!

with Disney behind the design I'm sure it will be awesome!!

kronk's angel · Post by **kronk's angel** » Oct Sat 14, 2006 2:35 am

I never had the time to go out on the island. I'm all for more Caribbean tropical islands, though. 8) Maybe a tropical-themed restaurant...

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Sat 14, 2006 11:46 am

How the heck is a pirate-themed island going to work as part of the "Rivers of America?" How many paddlewheelers are in the Bahamas? Will the Columbia be remade into a pirate ship? That would seriously make me cry...

DisneyManInSeattle · Post by **DisneyManInSeattle** » Oct Mon 16, 2006 8:07 pm

I would hate it. My wife and I enjoy going over to the island almost every day of our trip to relax and walk around.

-mark

indysoarin19 · Post by **indysoarin19** » Oct Mon 23, 2006 11:22 am

I don't buy the rumor for two reasons:

1) If Bob Iger was willing to give up Al Michaels to NBC in exchange for the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit rights just for the sake of Disney history, it makes me think he would have that same respect for Tom Sawyer Island, a landmark.

2) The rumor was reported by MiceAge.com. Not that MiceAge is always right or wrong, but they have had articles in the past that caused a ruckus within the Disney fan community. They've been right as many times as they've been wrong. Until something official comes out, I'll be taking this rumor with a grain of salt.

Post by **subsonic** » Oct Tue 24, 2006 11:12 am

http://tinyurl.com/ydjp6w
Here's an interesting article about Tom Sawyer's Island which I feel has very valid points.

I love re-imagineering

Halvogirl · Post by **Halvogirl** » Oct Mon 30, 2006 12:29 pm

They better not take away Tom Sawyer Island. I spent many happy hours exploring the caves and wishing they would open up the fort. Even now i spend a good day a trip running around there. And what child didn't imagine what it would be like to hide in the tunnels until the park was closed to have it all to herself.

csquare77 · Post by **csquare77** » Oct Mon 30, 2006 2:22 pm

Halvogirl wrote:They better not take away Tom Sawyer Island. I spent many happy hours exploring the caves and wishing they would open up the fort. Even now i spend a good day a trip running around there. And what child didn't imagine what it would be like to hide in the tunnels until the park was closed to have it all to herself.

If it does happen your going to have to make the trip to WDW to get back on Tom's island, but it would stink it they change it, because like you, it was fun running around there, and the barrel bridge!

Post by **spaulo** » Nov Tue 21, 2006 2:30 pm

The Pickle Barrel just hit it out of the park when it comes to my feelings on this topic...

Ah, yes. Those quality-striving folks in Disneyland management are at it again and there's talk of 're-theming' Tom Saywer's Island.

Since most kids today haven't ever picked up a book, Disneyland has decided to follow instead of lead.

Well, being a fan of Walt Disney's theory of consistent theming, I think they should re-christen the Rivers of America...er, make that Waters of Tortuga vessels with new monickers...

I mean, fer cryin' out loud, what blockbuster film franchise can a kid relate the first American trans-global schooner or a Mississippi river boat too? There needs to be a change....

So, let's get crackin! Get out your crowbars and bronze colored paint cans and get to work swabbies! We wouldn't want to send a mixed signal to our increasingly illiterate and historically ignorant, consumer youth now, would we?

Walt wouldn't have it any other way............I think.

Subsonic Radio

Farewell to thee, Tom Sawyer...

It not quite the Island that it once was