Thank you so much for sharing. Sad to say I have visited Magic Kingdom many times and I have never visited Tom Sawyer Island or ridden the River boat. We are visiting the parks in a week and these are two of our musts do’s for this trip. Enjoyed both videos on these areas of the park.
Here's a hint from a long time islander. Tom Sawyer's IS different day and night (not open late very often), but the very best time to go is the middle of the day. Why? Because that's when the "mainland" ride lines are the longest. Both the riverboat and the island are not very crowded all day, so the best use of your time is to rope drop and ride the popular things as much as you can. But after lunch, take your time on both.
Sad to see it go. I feel like it could have been re-imagined easily into Tiana's Restaurant. Her ride is right there, the river and Ferry boat fit into the Louisiana / New Orleans theming. Aunt Polly's is never open. Kids today don't know Tom Sawyer. Why not convert that to a full size dining experience. Imagine how cool it would be to take a raft over for your dining plans at her restaurant and maybe even dine out on the dock by the water. It would generate income for Disney and be such a unique experience. Could be a Character Dining experience too which is never cheap. Still leave some of the island to explore, kids love the caves and barrel bridge. But, no one hired me as an imagineer! 🤣
That’s a phenomenal idea to me! I think that would’ve been a perfect balance of changing the area but also keeping the vibe of it to not destroy the look of Frontierland
I find your comment about kids not knowing Tom Sawyer especially sad. Apart from being a section of the park that offers a respite from long lines and crowds, a classic character from American literature is going under the wrecking ball at the Magic Kingdom simply because he is not a Disney IP.
I’m glad I could document the area like this for when it’s all gone for good. I’ll definitely go back there at least one more time before it closes. Thank you as always!
🛶Island workout day! Hope you were ready for ducking into those cramp caves along with all the steps (spiral😲😲) of the fort, etc. The fort's animatronics were working nicely! Can you imagine what it takes to be sure someone isn't staying there for the night with all those nooks & crannies. Barrel bridge- sorry I laughed when you did only half.. Glad you took your time to show all the paths. Can't beat the views and I wonder what cool last sunset shots you could get of BTM in the background. A+ archival 💜
Haha this honestly felt like a workout in a way😂 Definitely have some back pain from those caves and the barrel bridge lol but otherwise I made it out alive! I loved the views/sounds of the park from the island more than anything, that’s definitely what I’m gonna miss the most about Tom Sawyer Island itself. Can’t say I’m excited about eventually hearing the loud sounds of the new Cars attractions instead of the peacefulness of the Rivers of America🙃 Thank you so much as always Liz!!
I agree, I love how Disney back in the day even wanted to add animatronics to an area like this. Gonna miss this place for sure but losing the Rivers of America is what really hits me the most. Thank you so much Andrew!
And yet the Speedway still stands, but we need to wreck all this for Cars Land. I figured the moment Splash Mountain was changed that TSI would be too adjacent for the offended next.
A very enjoyable walkthrough but once is enough. I like the exploring but no real draw for a return visit. Glad this walkthrough was recorded and I’m sure the video will be rewatched. Thanks for taking the time and posting. Way to go on 152 K subscribers, Well Deserved!!!
I agree, this isn’t a place I’d visit often but it is pretty cool. What I liked the most was the calmness on the island, and also those views of BTM are awesome. Thank you so much Bill!!!
Hi 4K. As always, appreciate the great job! I ham a big fan of Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America, and Riverboat. To me, long-time "traditions" like this are what makes WDW unique (not just another thrill ride theme park). Personally, I've never heard of Cars or Villians, so not sure what the motivation is. But, I've not been a fan of a lot of the changes in recent years (Splash Mountain especially) plus adding thrill rides to Epcot vs. keeping the "informational" theming. Family Tradition: Taking our sons or now their children to Tom Sawyer Island and: 1. Walking through all the caves/tunnels 2. Taking their picture (from below) standing on the upper walkway at the fort, just above the door for the escape tunnel. I never got to do it will all of the grandkids, which I now regret. I hate to see all the multi-generational attractions slowly going away. But then, Disney has badly changed in many other ways as well. Regardless, thank you for the excellent job you do in filming and producing quality WDW videos. God Bless!
No, this ride is not dead yet For any board or art department Always hopeful, yet discontent We know changes aren’t permanent But change is… R.I.P. Tom Sawyer Island - R.I.P. Neil Peart 🥺🥁🍿
Hey 4K WDW! This video is truly amazing. My only gripe is that you did not film the animatronic in the Guard House at Fort Langhorn. He is the repurposed figure of the long-rumored "Man In The Web" from the Haunted Mansion. If you had included that, this video would be a 100% documentation of Tom Sawyer Island. Hopefully, we can see another visit filmed. I believe there is still plenty of time.
Thank you very much, and yes I realized once I left that I forgot to show that. I will definitely film one more walkthrough of the area before it closes
I was wondering when Disney was going to change Tom Sawyer Island. Never thought they would fill it in for another attraction. It's going to be strange not seeing the Riverboat not passing thru. Thank you for the video. Not many people will do this.
I agree, I always thought it would be reimagined with a current IP or something. I certainly never expected Disney to completely remove the Rivers of America or the Riverboat. I’m really going to miss the atmosphere of this area of the park more than anything. Thank you so much as always!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, 4K. TSI has not been as regular stop for us since children all grown, but still good family memories there. Seems with the overcrowding, expanding the park for Cars would be a better move than replacing an old attraction. But if it must be replacement, Storybook Circus + Speedway may be a better option than TSI, imo.
No problem, I’m glad I could film a long walkthrough like this before it’s all gone. The Speedway definitely needs to be replaced eventually, that space certainly could be utilized much better. Thank you as always!
We have walked on the island a few times nice. We think that over the years Disney could have added a few things to keep up with the times. This is 50’s and 60’s ERA not TRON. In any event leave the island and rive boat alone!!!! In the last 10 years Disney has destroyed so many attractions EPCOT for one, that is our options. T&M LINY
Na Na! Not so fast there Bob! Have I ever mentioned before my utmost respect & admiration for the State of Florida office of the Governor, & the E.P.A.? 🤔♻️🍿
In today’s series of things that Disney is getting rid of; here’s another thing that I’m not going to be too upset that is being removed. Yes maybe it was good to get out of the sun for a little while and go visit the tunnels. But as they start getting rid of the frontier land motif, this just doesn’t fit in the park anymore. I know it’s part of Disney’s original ideas. But anytime I go over there. It just seems dead. They’ll finally be able to utilize the space properly; even though I thought the attraction should still replace the Speedway. But hey, thanks for the great detail of just about every nook and cranny of the island
I was thinking your comment was going to be another round of someone throwing a fit, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've been to Disney World 3 times and to Disneyland once, and will be going back to WDW next month. I've never gone to Tom Sawyer Island. Never had an interest in it.
I’m gonna miss it for sure but Tom Sawyer Island itself wasn’t really my thing. What I liked the most about it was that view of BTM lol, and also just the quietness of the entire island. What I’m really gonna miss is the Rivers of America and the atmosphere of the area. Still can’t believe the Speedway lives on though🙃 Thanks so much as always Craig!
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A great documentary as always!
Thank you so much for sharing. Sad to say I have visited Magic Kingdom many times and I have never visited Tom Sawyer Island or ridden the River boat. We are visiting the parks in a week and these are two of our musts do’s for this trip. Enjoyed both videos on these areas of the park.
Here's a hint from a long time islander. Tom Sawyer's IS different day and night (not open late very often), but the very best time to go is the middle of the day. Why? Because that's when the "mainland" ride lines are the longest. Both the riverboat and the island are not very crowded all day, so the best use of your time is to rope drop and ride the popular things as much as you can. But after lunch, take your time on both.
I’m glad you’ll be able to experience this all this trip before it all closes! Thank you so much😊
Sad to see it go. I feel like it could have been re-imagined easily into Tiana's Restaurant. Her ride is right there, the river and Ferry boat fit into the Louisiana / New Orleans theming. Aunt Polly's is never open. Kids today don't know Tom Sawyer. Why not convert that to a full size dining experience. Imagine how cool it would be to take a raft over for your dining plans at her restaurant and maybe even dine out on the dock by the water. It would generate income for Disney and be such a unique experience. Could be a Character Dining experience too which is never cheap. Still leave some of the island to explore, kids love the caves and barrel bridge. But, no one hired me as an imagineer! 🤣
@@kenk910 I think that would have been a great idea
That’s a phenomenal idea to me! I think that would’ve been a perfect balance of changing the area but also keeping the vibe of it to not destroy the look of Frontierland
I find your comment about kids not knowing Tom Sawyer especially sad. Apart from being a section of the park that offers a respite from long lines and crowds, a classic character from American literature is going under the wrecking ball at the Magic Kingdom simply because he is not a Disney IP.
Amazing idea and a much better alternative to filling it in with a noisy ride that doesn’t fit the theming in that area.
This is an important video and will be a nice trip down memory lane years from now. Thanks 4k!
Hopefully Disney will realize how idiotic their current Cars idea is, but I am afraid you are exactly right.
I’m glad I could document the area like this for when it’s all gone for good. I’ll definitely go back there at least one more time before it closes. Thank you as always!
Thanks so much! No one ever films there so it's fun to see something different!
🛶Island workout day! Hope you were ready for ducking into those cramp caves along with all the steps (spiral😲😲) of the fort, etc. The fort's animatronics were working nicely! Can you imagine what it takes to be sure someone isn't staying there for the night with all those nooks & crannies. Barrel bridge- sorry I laughed when you did only half.. Glad you took your time to show all the paths. Can't beat the views and I wonder what cool last sunset shots you could get of BTM in the background. A+ archival 💜
Haha this honestly felt like a workout in a way😂 Definitely have some back pain from those caves and the barrel bridge lol but otherwise I made it out alive! I loved the views/sounds of the park from the island more than anything, that’s definitely what I’m gonna miss the most about Tom Sawyer Island itself. Can’t say I’m excited about eventually hearing the loud sounds of the new Cars attractions instead of the peacefulness of the Rivers of America🙃 Thank you so much as always Liz!!
very sad to know tom Sawyer will go It is a great place to chill and get your energy back and to take in all those wonderful trees and nature sounds
I have always liked the animatronics in the fort. Wonder if they will be saved. And the tunnels are great to explore. Tfs 4K! This was fantastic.
I agree, I love how Disney back in the day even wanted to add animatronics to an area like this. Gonna miss this place for sure but losing the Rivers of America is what really hits me the most. Thank you so much Andrew!
And yet the Speedway still stands, but we need to wreck all this for Cars Land. I figured the moment Splash Mountain was changed that TSI would be too adjacent for the offended next.
Oh; Congrats on 152k!
Great video. Brings back memories when the kids where little. IIRC in the 1990s you could get PB and J sandwiches and lemonade at Aunt Polly's.
A very enjoyable walkthrough but once is enough. I like the exploring but no real draw for a return visit. Glad this walkthrough was recorded and I’m sure the video will be rewatched. Thanks for taking the time and posting. Way to go on 152 K subscribers, Well Deserved!!!
I agree, this isn’t a place I’d visit often but it is pretty cool. What I liked the most was the calmness on the island, and also those views of BTM are awesome. Thank you so much Bill!!!
Hi 4K.
As always, appreciate the great job!
I ham a big fan of Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America, and Riverboat.
To me, long-time "traditions" like this are what makes WDW unique (not just another thrill ride theme park).
Personally, I've never heard of Cars or Villians, so not sure what the motivation is.
But, I've not been a fan of a lot of the changes in recent years (Splash Mountain especially) plus adding thrill rides to Epcot vs. keeping the "informational" theming.
Family Tradition:
Taking our sons or now their children to Tom Sawyer Island and:
1. Walking through all the caves/tunnels
2. Taking their picture (from below) standing on the upper walkway at the fort, just above the door for the escape tunnel.
I never got to do it will all of the grandkids, which I now regret.
I hate to see all the multi-generational attractions slowly going away.
But then, Disney has badly changed in many other ways as well.
Regardless, thank you for the excellent job you do in filming and producing quality WDW videos.
God Bless!
#DisneyDiva ❤❤❤❤
No, this ride is not dead yet
For any board or art department
Always hopeful, yet discontent
We know changes aren’t permanent
But change is…
R.I.P. Tom Sawyer Island - R.I.P. Neil Peart 🥺🥁🍿
Hey 4K WDW! This video is truly amazing. My only gripe is that you did not film the animatronic in the Guard House at Fort Langhorn. He is the repurposed figure of the long-rumored "Man In The Web" from the Haunted Mansion. If you had included that, this video would be a 100% documentation of Tom Sawyer Island. Hopefully, we can see another visit filmed. I believe there is still plenty of time.
Thank you very much, and yes I realized once I left that I forgot to show that. I will definitely film one more walkthrough of the area before it closes
@@4KWDW Geez! I wasn't expecting a response! Thank you for that; and yes, hopefully you can get back out there again!
Thanks for the video
Haven’t been to that island for quite a while now
No problem Andrew! I rarely go there myself but I always enjoyed going whenever I made it over there. Thank you as always!
I was wondering when Disney was going to change Tom Sawyer Island. Never thought they would fill it in for another attraction. It's going to be strange not seeing the Riverboat not passing thru. Thank you for the video. Not many people will do this.
I agree, I always thought it would be reimagined with a current IP or something. I certainly never expected Disney to completely remove the Rivers of America or the Riverboat. I’m really going to miss the atmosphere of this area of the park more than anything. Thank you so much as always!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, 4K. TSI has not been as regular stop for us since children all grown, but still good family memories there. Seems with the overcrowding, expanding the park for Cars would be a better move than replacing an old attraction. But if it must be replacement, Storybook Circus + Speedway may be a better option than TSI, imo.
No problem, I’m glad I could film a long walkthrough like this before it’s all gone. The Speedway definitely needs to be replaced eventually, that space certainly could be utilized much better. Thank you as always!
We have walked on the island a few times nice. We think that over the years Disney could have added a few things to keep up with the times. This is 50’s and 60’s ERA not TRON. In any event leave the island and rive boat alone!!!! In the last 10 years Disney has destroyed so many attractions EPCOT for one, that is our options. T&M LINY
❤❤❤
Na Na! Not so fast there Bob!
Have I ever mentioned before my utmost respect & admiration for the State of Florida office of the Governor, & the E.P.A.? 🤔♻️🍿
I suppose whatever will take over that area will be something the guests will have to pay extra.
Is Big Thunder Mountain still open?
Yes! No plans to touch it as far as I know.
@@Noel-eo4fq they are supposed to do a major refurbishment starting this yr, but never announced an official start date
Yep as Craig mentioned, it’s supposed to close for a big refurbishment but we don’t know when yet
35:05 why did you skip Hick’ry Switch Hill
6:21 Are the caves normally extremely dark, and it is your camera light illuminating it?
It’s very dark in those caves, but they do have lights in them which give you enough light to see
Perhaps the island and its cohorts have reached their depreciation limit on the bottom line.
Yes, that’s pretty much it unfortunately
Wow, why so much attention on the train ride??!!
In today’s series of things that Disney is getting rid of; here’s another thing that I’m not going to be too upset that is being removed. Yes maybe it was good to get out of the sun for a little while and go visit the tunnels. But as they start getting rid of the frontier land motif, this just doesn’t fit in the park anymore. I know it’s part of Disney’s original ideas. But anytime I go over there. It just seems dead. They’ll finally be able to utilize the space properly; even though I thought the attraction should still replace the Speedway.
But hey, thanks for the great detail of just about every nook and cranny of the island
I was thinking your comment was going to be another round of someone throwing a fit, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've been to Disney World 3 times and to Disneyland once, and will be going back to WDW next month. I've never gone to Tom Sawyer Island. Never had an interest in it.
I’m gonna miss it for sure but Tom Sawyer Island itself wasn’t really my thing. What I liked the most about it was that view of BTM lol, and also just the quietness of the entire island. What I’m really gonna miss is the Rivers of America and the atmosphere of the area. Still can’t believe the Speedway lives on though🙃 Thanks so much as always Craig!