Tom Sawyer's Island

[Ryan King]

Quoting Mouseplanet.com

(http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=dl061226xx)

 

This and that...

...It looks like the pirate retheming of Tom Sawyer Island, originally reported at the Web site MiceAge, is moving forward. A long closure of the island is now on the official Disneyland calendar. It will close on Monday, January 12, and stay closed until late May, though it will presumably open in time for the Memorial Day opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (and even earlier if, as expected the premiere is again held at Disneyland). A several week closure of Fantasmic! was already on the calendar for January but it looks that has also been extended to match the general island closure.

 

The extent of the retheming is not known at this time but with the amount of time available and the abbreviated time Imagineers had for planning it is likely to be more cosmetic than fundamental. If the idea is pursued and successful then more far reaching alterations will likely occur in the future. Fort Wilderness would have to be rebuilt and the back half of the island is currently completely inaccessible to the public and is used for show elements visible from the river as well as an executive ropes course and meeting area.

 

Also, Quoting Wikipedia.org

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sawyer_Island)

 

The Walt Disney Company is currently considering a proposal to reconstruct the entire attraction with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme, including replacing Fort Wilderness with an interactive pirate museum. The $28 million dollar project, if approved, would be completed or nearly completed in time for the release of the third Pirates film in 2007.[1] Apparently this proposal has been modified. A two-phase revamp would change the theme to "Pirates Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island" based upon stories in "Tom Sayer" where Tom, Huck and Joe Harper pretend to be pirates on the Mississippi. This less radical change would integrate pirate tie-ins with the original, but updated, Tom Sawyer feel.

 

What are your thoughts on this?

[robbalvey]

Yeah, I'm all for this. Updating the Island is a great idea! It's probalby one of the areas of all Disney parks that I *NEVER* go, and if they actually had something interesting to do or look at, I'd probably check it out.

 

It's probably been years, like 10+ years since I've been over to any of the Islands, so I certainly won't miss the current versions of it.

 

--Robb

[arrowfanman]

^ I am all for an "update", but to simply over saturate the entire park in this pirates 'fad' isn't a good idea, in my mind.

 

Not to mention...the rafts to and from the island hold a capacity of 700 riders per hour and closes around 5ish for Fantasmic....so to change it--and for 28 million dollars!? What's the point?!

 

What are they going to do? Run commercials for the "new" TSI and have a 30 minute queue, extending to Big Thunder, for a raft over?

 

 

 

I dont really go there now and despite any updates, I'm pretty sure I wont go over later.

 

-Jahan

[DragonKhan]

Yeah, I'm all for this. Updating the Island is a great idea! It's probalby one of the areas of all Disney parks that I *NEVER* go, and if they actually had something interesting to do or look at, I'd probably check it out.

 

It's probably been years, like 10+ years since I've been over to any of the Islands, so I certainly won't miss the current versions of it.

 

--Robb

 

I have always been there

 

I love to go there to chill out a little from the busy park. It's always rather calm over there. And for a kid like me the hole Island is just one amazing playground with all its caves and so on. I always imagine how awesome a paintball match would be there!

I'm not against the retheme, but I hope they keep the concept of an Island without attractions where you can just roam around and discovery stuff.

[Sir Clinksalot]

This is actually old news and was reported by Al Lutz back in October.

 

At least MP gave Al credit for a change, although as you see they didn't mention his name, just MiceAge.

 

But yeah, anything to bring more people to the Island and have more stuff to do is a good thing.

[Meteornotes]

I haven't been to DL in 10+ years, but upgrading the place is probably a good idea. I do wonder, though, how this is going to play even five years from now, when no one really cares about the POTC movies any more...

 

dt

[mcjaco]

This is actually old news and was reported by Al Lutz back in October.

 

At least MP gave Al credit for a change, although as you see they didn't mention his name, just MiceAge.

 

But yeah, anything to bring more people to the Island and have more stuff to do is a good thing.

 

It was more rumor, and even this doesn't really mean a change is coming, I'd say the length of the closure probably verifies it.

 

As a kid, I loved the Disney Tom Sawyer movie. I found the island to be enjoyable as a kid, but haven't been back over there in years. So a rehash is probably needed, but I'm with Dave. Is anyone going to get excited about a POTC island five years from now?

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ Is it really rumor if it was right?

[BeemerBoy]

I have always been there

 

I love to go there to chill out a little from the busy park. It's always rather calm over there. And for a kid like me the hole Island is just one amazing playground with all its caves and so on. I always imagine how awesome a paintball match would be there!

I'm not against the retheme, but I hope they keep the concept of an Island without attractions where you can just roam around and discovery stuff.

 

Agreed.

 

I can't speak for Disneyland, but growing up at the WDW version, I always loved the island for what it was.....a bit of an escape from the rest of the park. As a kid, it was one of those places where a few tools (the fort, caves, etc.) were in place to create a spark for pure imagination to take over. It was a rare place where my brother and I could run around and play, creating our own "adventures" by just being kids, while our parents grabbed a drink and a snack and rested a bit.

 

I am all for an "update", but to simply over saturate the entire park in this pirates 'fad' isn't a good idea, in my mind.

 

Not to mention...the rafts to and from the island hold a capacity of 700 riders per hour and closes around 5ish for Fantasmic....so to change it--and for 28 million dollars!? What's the point?!

 

What are they going to do? Run commercials for the "new" TSI and have a 30 minute queue, extending to Big Thunder, for a raft over?

 

I'm not sure I completely agree with you on this one. Of all the "updates" Disney has decided on, beyond the marketing and capacity issues, this one may not be such a horrible idea. But as with the previous post, I'd much rather keep the concept of discovery. In other words, like you say, don't over saturate it. Put some pirates-related stuff out there, but let the imagination take over, rather than try to forcefeed a storyline down guests' throats.

 

And as for whether people will still be interested in POTC in five years, I'd say it's a safe bet they will. Pirates are one genre that never completely die out. And besides, there has been talk of extending the series beyond a trilogy if I'm not mistaken.

 

If anything though, thank God it's not becomming Pixar Island!

[speedracer]

^ totally agree. One of my most favorite parts of any park is the hidden quiet sections that no one else bothers with, where you can get away from the crowds and insanity of the main midways to take a breather. I'm all for progress too, just unfortunate that more and more parks are loosing these little sanctuaries that IMHO, actually enhance the park experience and provide a low keyed slow paced alternative for those that care to appreciate them for what they are.

 

They need to fix TL, then fix DCA, and then worry about things that don't really need "fixing" (cept for the fort, really should open that back up).

[mcjaco]

^ Is it really rumor if it was right?

 

We don't know if it's right. It's just a closure announcement.

 

I don't take anything MiceAge, Intercot, etc. post too seriously, until hard fact comes in. Most of those posters think Jim Hill is a god.

[PhishyBrewer]

I kind of like the way it is now. It's a little place to get away when it's crowded.

[BarryH]

Of all the times I've been to MK or DL, I've never been to Tom Sawyer's Island. Perhaps a change will bring more people to the attraction. Sadly, I bet most park guests go, "Who's Tom Sawyer?"

[Ryan King]

Of all the times I've been to MK or DL, I've never been to Tom Sawyer's Island. Perhaps a change will bring more people to the attraction. Sadly, I bet most park guests go, "Who's Tom Sawyer?"

 

Yeah, this is one of very few things that you said was correct. I am looking forward to change, its land that Disney could really put to use. It is sad to see it go, and to be honest, i havent read any of the books nor do i know much about the island in general. Change is always good, and I think that if Walt were here today, hed feel the same way, keep up with times.

[USRoadTripper]

I'm not super crazy about the idea, but I sort of don't care either way. I've been to Disneyland twice and never been over to their island, and went to WDW many, many times before I made it over to thiers. I'm sure it's nice, but I'm sure a redo would be nice as well.

 

My concern is the same as Dave's...what happens in a few years when Pirates aren't such a hot thing anymore? When Stitch was first out, everyone was all "We need a Stitch ride!!!" and by the time they actually made one, the whole Stitch fanaticism had cooled down. Seems like one great pirate attraction per park is enough. And with as busy as the parks can get sometimes, I'm sure lots of families would miss the quiet island where they can let their kids blow off some steam.

 

Kevin hosted a Tom Sawyer Island hide-and-seek meet earlier this month at WDW during Mousefest, and it was really surprising how many people who showed up for the meet had never been over to the island before!

 

-Julie

[DATman]

That island really needed some rehab, so I'm all for this. I mean, honestly, how many kids today know all of the Tom/Huck stories? Not very many, meaning that right there, the island loses a lot of marketability. Now, it is more of Tom/Huck pretending to be pirates, so those who hate POTC, it will be a little different. Basically, lots of things are being updated and added to. I love the concept, and I hope Disney does it justice.

[robbalvey]

^ I am all for an "update", but to simply over saturate the entire park in this pirates 'fad' isn't a good idea, in my mind.

 

Not to mention...the rafts to and from the island hold a capacity of 700 riders per hour and closes around 5ish for Fantasmic....so to change it--and for 28 million dollars!? What's the point?!

 

What are they going to do? Run commercials for the "new" TSI and have a 30 minute queue, extending to Big Thunder, for a raft over?

 

I dont really go there now and despite any updates, I'm pretty sure I wont go over later.

 

-Jahan

You never saw Disneyland Paris' Pirate themed island did you?

 

I really don't understand all the negative reaction. All I hear is...

 

"I like the way it is now.....but I never go over there...."

 

So if it's someplace you never go, why is it a big deal that it's being changed? If it was an area of the park near and dear to you and it was a "favorite" location, I could see the fuss....but all the people against the idea don't seem to go there in the first place.

 

And how can you say "in a few years pirates won't be a hot theme?" Pirates has been a "hot theme" at the park since the mid-1960s! You do realize that Pirates has been the most popular ride in the park almost since it opened, and it had nothing to do with any movies that came out.

 

Sorry, the negative responses I'm seeing are making no sense to me.

 

--Robb

[arrowfanman]

^ That's the thing that irks me though! ..."marketability".

 

Is it worth it to invest 30 million into an island with such low capacity, to improve its "marketability"?

 

 

 

The island is really just good for wandering over in a lapse of curiousity. It has been more for "atmosphere". It really cant handle standing as a real "attraction"...it just cant handle those masses of people!

 

Not to mention, I'm pretty sure the island will just as easily fall into disrepair as it has now.

 

 

The whole thing just seems like a waste of cash to me. I cant see it bringing any more people through the park gates. Nobody is going to Disneyland for TSI and nobody will. I would much rather see the island receieve a lenghty refurbishment and have the remainder of that 30 million plugged into DCA, where it's actually needed.

 

*sigh*

 

-Jahan

[USRoadTripper]

Do you guess they might add a bridge to increase the amount of people that can get to the island? I can see the low-capacity rafts being a big challenge for them to overcome. You can only pack so many people onto them and run them so fast before you need an alternate way of getting people on and off the island. It would cause a whole other set of safety issues with Fantasmic though :-/

 

-Julie

[SharkTums]

For $30 Million I bet they could build a pretty cool bridge!

 

And I agree, the Pirates themed area at DLP is AWESOME!

[Wes]

$29m of which will go to some Imagineer "needing" to travel to exotic places to "capture the true feeling" of the bridge.

[music11]

^Ok first of all and im not trying to get into a fight but Disney investing money into fixing up DCA is probably not likely to happen for awhile just look at all the other older parks that dont get retouched and instead just get new rides. what disney should do is just remodel outdated park things starting with disneys oldest park which is disneyland magic kingdom and work from there.

 

Now back on topic personally this is a good and bad thing. to start this could be a good thing because personally TSI doesnt have much too much scenery and such since i went a couple years ago. First off there was not much themeing on the island if there was themeing it was very cheap and not moving along with the rest of the disney world with all of its realistic robot and such themeing on rides. also newer attractions would be good because yes personally i love going through the caves but they would be funner if they were like a maze instead of enter here and your coming out here walk through caves which isnt fun anymore because people even some little kids demand a little more excitement and love solving things. and unless some caves were closed that we couldnt find when i last went all i remember going through were like 3 or 4 short caves which to me isnt alot to do especially because they're short even for little kids.

 

now for the bad things about this move. the one major bad thing that i could think of is the river cruise. retheming this island would in my opinion not be good because that island was basically the theme for the boat now the boat ride isnt themed and pirates and a old river boat to me just doesnt mix. and i think removing the boat ride would actually not be very good in my opinion because its a classic ride and when i went on it tons of people go on it and isnt the boat one of walts rides that he came up with? if it was i dont think walt would like the direction that disney is going in now. unless disney is spending more money and replacing the river boat into a pirate boat which has its goods and bads. also what are they going to do about transportation to and from the island because rafts went well with TSI but what do rafts have to do with pirates unless there just going to retheme the rafts to pirates which is imo cheap and not disney quality. and for my last bad thing about this is and this is probably just my opinion but by removing TSI and replacing it with pirates is that really going to make people want to come to disney and is it really going to make disney stand out more for its uniquest because to me pirates is a very open genre and doesnt legoland have it so why would people fly lots of miles from california where legoland has it just to see the same thing at disney unless disney creates a really cool and innovative concepts which is different will be kinda hard in its short time period unless its memorial weekend 2008 where they will have more time and maybe come up with something nice and attract people.

 

also i do agree with the people that said this before how much will people be into pirates in 5,6,7 years. anyways hope this turns out to be a good thing fpr disney and TSI will not be forgotten because that was a classic place for kids when we were younger even tho we didnt know Tom Sawyer.

 

 

P.S. Sorry for the really long comment and some run on sentences but i had to say my thoughts and were hard to put into short nice sentences.

[TheBannedKid]

For $30 Million I bet they could build a pretty cool bridge!

 

And I agree, the Pirates themed area at DLP is AWESOME!

Or a tunnel. I think that would work out better as far as capacity goes. I personally think having two Pirate themed attractions is taking away from the original Pirates. They should work on a completely different theme than anything in the park...like something with Chip and Dale!

[Ryan King]

For $30 Million I bet they could build a pretty cool bridge!

 

And I agree, the Pirates themed area at DLP is AWESOME!

Or a tunnel. I think that would work out better as far as capacity goes. I personally think having two Pirate themed attractions is taking away from the original Pirates. They should work on a completely different theme than anything in the park...like something with Chip and Dale!

 

Or pull a "Knotts" and slap a coaster on it!

[BiCoastal Kid]

Not to mention...the rafts to and from the island hold a capacity of 700 riders per hour and closes around 5ish for Fantasmic....so to change it--and for 28 million dollars!? What's the point?!

 

Or they could get new rafts with increased capacity. Now THERE'S an idea....

 

 

No bridge, would interfere with the boat routes. No tunnel, would almost REQUIRE shutting down a large portion of the Splash/Pirates area AND draining out the lake/river/whatever.

 

But really, I think if done right it could be great. I mean, you figure it would go along with the pirate aspect of the New Orleans section, they could work in "rugged" parts to incorporate the Adventure part of Big Thunder/Indiana Jones, and then add some water guns and you've got Splash in there too. On a PIRATE themed island, with some tunnels and maybe a *den*, it could really be a good binder for the surrounding areas.