Originally Posted By Darkbeer Here are some of my thoughts... And I will try and be spoiler free Got to the park around 10 AM, and the wait to board the rafts was about 30 minutes, not bad, and it got shorter later in the day (though the wait to return was around 30 minutes). They hand you a "Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island" while waiting in line. Interesting to note that the Fort is not shown on the map.... The ONLY part of the Island that is related to Tom and Huck now is the treehouse, which has some references if you walk up to the actual treehouse, including a map under glass. The Bootstrappers are basically the same act as last season, when they performed in front of Cafe' Orleans, but the sound system is better. The "Stunt Show" is entertaining, though has very little viewing area, and is hard to grab a prime space in the way they allow folks to enter (The Bootstrappers are the warm-up act and work with the Stunt Show folks in transition). I don't think it has much repeatability, but definitely worth the trip to see it once. Dead Man's Grotto (the former Injun Joe's Cave) is the star, and is very good, lots of good effects. Make sure and touch and grab things The former Waterwheel cabin is now Will Turner's Blacksmith shop, nothing fancy, but still an improvement. Kids will love the Smugglers Cove area, as it has a lot of old (Suspension and Pontoon Bridges) and new interactive items that will let the kids burn some steam off. Castle Rock remains the same. The north end has the addition of the Pirate's Den (Shipwreck), that is a nice scene that can be entered from the east side of the island, and is easily accessible to all, just enter the main room, and then head back out. The ladder just takes you to the Castle Rock caverns. The fort is basically behind refurb walls (the "Fort Wilderness" sign has been removed), as is the former Graveyard (tombstones have been removed). Two single person restrooms (one for each gender) are accessible from the east side. A nice surprise is found in the north-east corner of the pathways open to the public. If you have a wheelchair, here is what I recommend you do. Once the raft arrives at TSI, make a left and go PAST Dead Man's Grotto, but make a turn just before Castle Rock (clearly marked path), check out Smugglers cove, you can't do either bridge, but you do have access to the new interactive parts. (As you can see later, if you go to Dead Man's Grotto first, you are stuck with just one choice when you exit). Then head north on the path that goes up the east (right) side of the island. Stop in at the new Pirate's Den and check out the main room. Then head back on the same path to the Captain's Treasure area. Then go back the way you came, if needed, use the restrooms by the fort. There is a wheelchair lift and these restrooms are wheelchair friendly. Head back to Dead Man's Grotto, where you have a choice, if you have an ECV or would have problems with tight spaces, go straight back to the rafts and use the wheelchair lift next to the stage to watch the show and the Bootstrappers. (You could take the ramp from the stage to the Will Turner Blacksmith shop before or after the show). If you think you can handle the cave (it is supposedly wide enough for a standard wheelchair, but would be not the easiest trip), follow the crowds. Once you get out on the east end (exit), the only choice is to make a right. Follow that to Will Turner's Blacksmith Shop and then take a path to the Main Stage (be careful, the path is closed during the stunt show). Watch the performances then use the wheelchair lift to gain access to the rafts to return (you will have to wait a few minutes after the Stunt Show to allow for safety checks before they let you access the lift). Alas, Disney made a few mistakes in the Wheelchair signage, so ask CM's for help if needed. And yes, I took photos, and they are bing uploaded to the smugmug site currently... <a href="http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/</a>
Originally Posted By WorldofDisney Hi Darkbeer - I was there today too and enjoyed the island. When we got there at about 1pm, the line to get was about 15 minutes to board the raft. It was fun because there was a pirate standing in line heckling everyone -- good stuff. I never never really into the island growing up as I was more interested in riding attractions, but I will admit kids of today will enjoy the interactive elements and the overall experience. We also enjoyed taking photos with the buried treasure at the north end of the island. On a side note, one of your photos was used at the Walt Disney Studios during a "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" event a few weeks back. That's when I learned what Miceage was (I don't surf fan sites) as one of the speakers had referred to the site. Does this make you an honorary cast member?
Originally Posted By dresswhites from the pictures, it seems like the redo turned out very nicely and it will be a fun eperience. i like that they kept the treehouse tom sawyer. it seems fitting that tallest point on the island is still tom sawyer decorated. it almost like tom and huck are using the treehouse to plan there different pirate adventures. i.e looking thru for treasure in caves, talking like a pirate, searching the muddy missisippi for treasure. i don't to me it ties it all together.
Originally Posted By drawbridge Are the canoes running? That would be a fun way to take it all in too. I hope they expand the hours, as we usually avoid weekends so they are always closed when we are there. I'm glad they went ahead with this, it sounds fun and I think it fits between the Lands just fine. (and I'm a purist)
Originally Posted By kari12177 I think if there's pirates inter acting with people, it'll be more enjoyable for the kids, I'm going to see it until next year, atleast there won't be a line.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy Thanks for the pictures. They are so appreciated over here in Oregon. :O))
Originally Posted By Mr F Darkbeer, you were there on the 25th for the opening? so was I, I'm suprised I didn't notice you.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I hope the new Island is better than the latest Pirates movie. I saw it today and it is hands down one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
Originally Posted By drawbridge Yeah, the 3rd Pirates was not near as good as the 1st and probably the 2nd either. I wonder what the chances are of another trilogy now? I know the box office #s were disappointing.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<I hope the new Island is better than the latest Pirates movie. I saw it today and it is hands down one of the worst movies I've ever seen.>> Looks like we found something in common afterall Hans . Wow, wasn't that dreadfully AWFUL???? I'm praying no one goes with the idea of making a seperate 'triology'. Seriously, love of all things holy, just stop while you are 'ahead'. It was so bad, it makes me want to ride the attraction just so I can slap Jack Sparrow personnally .
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Wow, wasn't that dreadfully AWFUL????" Yes. To the point that it was almost painful to watch.
Originally Posted By Mickeys Gal COOL! I was just looking thru Darkbeers photos and I saw myself. Im in pictures 31 & 32. I don't know if you remember Darkbeer but I said hi to you at the rope (probably right after you took these pictures).
Originally Posted By Nobody From post 10: "I know the box office #s were disappointing." Huh? I think the only way it could have done better would be if the movie was shorter, so that it could have had more showings to sell more tickets to. Regarding a sequel: 4th 'Pirates' film already on horizon <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2j8k98" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2j8k98</a> (We now return you to your coverage of wheelchairs on an island.)
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<4th 'Pirates' film already on horizon>> LOL, OF COURSE it is. A movie that was meant to ONLY have one has made two sub par sequels and surprise, surprise, are now thinking about making ANOTHER one, but of course, its Hollywood, so it's all about $$$$$$$!! I wish these studios could have a little integrity and say, 'well, we made a set of movies, it made a certain amout of money for us, but let's not lower the quality and keep churning out one poor sequel after another. We got our money, now let's just move on to something new." But yeah, I know, that's like asking homeless people not to loiter . It won't surprise me we'll get to a Pirates 8 and they'll find a way to fit Jack Sparrow into Tomorrowland some day. Hell, we already got Nemo in there and he's honestly as about as relevent as Jack is . Of course, Pixar is smart enough not to turn every movie that makes money into ridiculous sequel after sequel unlike it's owners. *sigh* Anyway, really looking forward to seeing that island lol.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt They'll keep making the sequels as long as people pay to see them. Same with the character overlays at the parks. It seems like people just can't get enough of this stuff.
Originally Posted By dresswhites i liked the film. it dragged a bit, but the last half of the film was very entertaining. i liked it much better than the second film. the second film was so long i kept waiting for it to end, and the end never seemed in sight. the third one while not as good as the original was very entertaining and much more in the spirit of the original.
Originally Posted By Pirate Mickey How long will the pirates fad last? Davy Crockett fever was big in the 50's. Do you see a Davy Crockett dark ride or any Crockett ride in Disneyland anywhere excluding the moored keel boats or the canoes?
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Different is though that there has always been POTC ride which has always been popular. The movies have made them moreso now. It's quite amazing how these two prop themselves up. You can always (shudder) make more of these films and add to the ride because of that. I mean, I don't think the ride will ever fad, hence why they made a movie out of it in the first place. I think the additions, while maybe just a fad, have to keep in ARE new and different and ultimately that's gets people interested regardless. They could've made TSI out of some Pixar movie and I'm sure people would've still been excited about it. Many kept saying they could've done the exact same thing for TSI WITHOUT changing the theme and while that is true...Disney doesn't have a Tom Sawyer's movie to promote . Afterall, I always believe it doesn't matter WHAT the theme is, just how well they executed it that ultimately matters. That's why so many people are on DCA's case. Yeah, the theme wasn't inspirational, but honestly it they created new, original stuff with fantastic concepts, no one really cares in the end. The Pirates stuff is a perfect example. Even when these movies fad into memory in a few years, they can constantly change and revamp the theme park stuff from the movie and people will always buy into it IMO. NOT saying that's a good thing, but as long as they keep it fresh, they will always have an audience.
