Tom Sawyer Island

I have mixed feelings about this one. IF as a kid you have read the book I think it is amazing. However, I am not sure that kids still read that book in school. I know our boys did not. I ended up reading it with them one summer because I loved the book as a child. I am not so sure it is all that interesting to those who have not read it. We just did it for the first time in ages last Jan.

I think its meant to be a place where kids can play and explore while adults can rest for awhile. I also heard or read that if you find one of about ?6 paintbrushes and bring it to a castmember you get a treat or prize. Anybody else heard that? If you have younger kids and pre-teens I think they may like it.

I'm not really a fan, though I did enjoy getting to run around there as a kids. My aunt would find a spot in the shade and have a seat while I ran off my excess energy. I've always thought that they could make it more interesting.

If you want to hear a great story about those paintbrushes then here's one about the time my son found one

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/tom-sawyer-island-paintbrushes

I always enjoy going out there, the ride over and seeing all the kids running around looking for paint brushes and playing, but it is a bit dated and needs an upgrade. Dont want to see it disappear it has a lot of memories.

I imagine it's a great place to let young children run off their excess energy. But we don't have kids. We toured the island once, and IMO that was enough.

I've gone there for a small break from the rest of MK. It had some good shady spots, the boat ride was nice, and we hunted for lizards. I don't think we stayed there more than 20 minutes.

I actually did this for the first time last year. Been curious for a long time, and when I finally got there I smiled while walking around. The barrel bridge is the best part for me, though the fort is kind of cool too. Definitly not a must do everytime, but it was worth checking out for the barrel bridge alone.

If they update it...it would make a great play area themed to the Peter and the Star Catchers series. The Pirate cove, mermaids, the potential is endless.

It really is a great place for kids, adults, not so much. Our kids (especially DS) absolutely loved exploring the caves! Being a big fan of the books, I would really hate to see it change, but then again, who knows what kind of awesome ideas those imagineers might come up with!

I in all my years of going to Disney have never been over there. Just never really wanted or needed to. My son and my Dad found a paintbrush over there. So the rumor of the paintbrushes is true. You just have to go over there when it opens. I personally would like to see it modernized to something. I like Dee's idea with Peter Pan. Could make a cool little Neverland.

You know I am usually against changing classic Disney, and I am sure this would be met with a lot of protest, but I totally love this idea. I think it would be killer.

I visited the Disneyland version once when I was 7yo, and loved it. Never ventured over again until I had a kid who was old enough to run around. We all loved it. I'm sure the next time I'm at the MK with my son, I'll go again.
I thought the vegetation was lovely, there was nice shade. Being a parent, it was an awesome place to watch my kid play and explore safely, with fewer people around.
I, also, loved the barrel bridge. Thought the views from the island were interesting, and enjoyed the ages of the island population: little kids, parents, grandparents.

I don't want it "updated"'. I think it's great the way it is.

That's a great story.

I heard about this before I went but didn't try in either of my days at MK. I did get a bonus FastPass one morning for Buzz Lightyear (I think) by being one of the first at Peter Pan!

I love the rocking chairs!

My boys (15 and 17 at the time) dragged me over there and we went through all the caves and then to the fort. Oh my gosh.. you'd have thought it was Christmas. I don't know what it is about that island and my kids, but they both totally love it.

We went a few weeks ago just to find the paintbrush. They gave stopped doing it with the new fast pass system coming. They stopped when Big Thunder went down for refurb in Jan( I think that's when it was).

Awww, that's so sad to hear!

Thanks for the update GoBearsGo and to our forums!

Hmmm I wonder what the fast pass thing has to do with it?

If I recall correctly a fast pass was frequently the prize you would win. It could be that with the new system what they were doing wouldn't mesh?

I've heard of them giving away other things then fast passes though. Guess someone has to get this confirmed through a CM!

I know when Evan got his... he was able to get two options. Both were FP's though... I know Big Thunder Mountain was an option... but not sure on the second one?