Originally Posted By juicer I just got back from a wonderfull weekend at DLR and wanted to comment on my experience at Tom Sawyers Island I haven't been on the island for about 2 years and wanted to go on it in case the pirate makeover gets the "green light"- I was with a friend last Sunday (Oct 29th) - It was a beautiful morning - the island opened at 10am and we were there for the first raft trip over - Oh my gosh, I forgot how beautiful Tom Sawyer Island is! - Even with the fort closed it was a great experience to walk around and exoerience - It's hard to believe we were in the middle of Anahiem! - With all the cool green trees, waterfalls and such - I was on the fence in regards to my opinion of the proposed changeover - But after going last Sunday - I have decided that I would like it if WDI would leave it the same - And restoring the fort -
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt According to Al Lutz's latest update there is strong opposition to the Pirates make-over. Assuming this is true, and given the attraction's meager guest capacity, I'll bet that this project ends up being an elaborate rehab rather than a complete retheming of the Island to the popular film.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA If the rumors are true, why does it have to be a permanent re-do? 'Pirates of the Caribbean' as a 'capitalizing on the popularity of movie' marketing campaign is going to eventually run out of steam and seem a bit dated. Perhaps make the 'Pirates' thing a bit of a temporary make-over -- like pirates have invaded and have taken over the island -- like the Hippies did in the 1970s, only differenter. Then, when 'Pirates' as a movie phenomenon has slowed down, they can take down the decorations and let it be Tom Sawyer Island again. And also -- this whole notion that young people are unaware of who 'Becky' and 'Tom' and 'Huck' are, is probably more reason to leave it alone, rather than dumbing it down.
Originally Posted By avromark Just where did the Gummi Bears go around Autopia, this year when I went they were still gone
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Goes back to the concept of the Muppets taking over Disneyland for a period of time. There were so many wonderful ideas associated with that. It's a shame that it never materialized. A temporary redo seems to be a better solution. I think Tom Sawyer will always be appropriate for Disneyland. If kids don't know the story...shame on us all.
Originally Posted By disney dave b I have given this some thought and may have a solution that would give DL their pirates & save Tom's island. But it may cost too much ! The possible solution would be to build a pirate town or fort in the area past splash mountain / take the bears restrant and rebuild it on the other side of the river (Tom Sawer's island) which would help to get people to use the island more. / take Winnie the Pooh ride and all of the other Pooh stores and move them to DCA somewhere. I never did think that was a very good location for this ride it should have been closer to fantasy land. This would open up a large enough area for a pirate town, it is on the river so there could be a pirate ship (Black Swan) ride incorporated . shops and a restrants, maybe a quality - Blue Bayou type restrant over looking the river. since it is a dead end the center of the square could be a well like the one on the ride that they dunk the mayor in. Anyway if they did it this way and not on the island the bridges or tunnels would not effect the Mark Twain, Columbia, or canoes. The trees around this area could be covered in moss or something to help it still blend in with the rivers of America. Anyway Just a thought
Originally Posted By mickeycanuck The Pirates of the Caribbean belong in New Orleans Square, not in the American Frontier or the Wild West. The theming could never be worked out to do it properly. The answer is, improve the island, and people will come to see it, even if Tom Sawyer isn't a big name these days. A good show will always attract an audience. One thought I had, was couldn't they build a pirate ship that launches somewhere along NOS, and takes a trip up river, in a similar route to the Twain and Columbia? They could create a show on board, toss someone overboard, fire a cannon. Could be fun. Easier than changing an entire island for no good reason.
Originally Posted By spacejockey It would be cool if Disney could build pirate themed walk through caverns under ground on the island. Even a tunnel under the river linking the caverns to NOS. That way the island could remain with the existing theme visible from above groung and a pirate theme under ground.
Originally Posted By ni_teach juicer - I agree that the TSI is a great place, but if you look closly it could really stand some tender loving care. If the make-over will get the place fixed up then I'm for it.
Originally Posted By alexbook >>The Pirates of the Caribbean belong in New Orleans Square, not in the American Frontier or the Wild West.<< I read that and suddenly had a vision of Tom, Becky, and Huck playing at being pirates. Can't you just picture Tom and Huck "dueling" with sticks for swords?
Originally Posted By dresswhites i swing back and forth on this idea. part of me wants to keep TSI as it is part of my childhood. Also it is such a nice connection to walt. On the other hand, a redo could be interesting. while i am fearful they could do a bad job, the imagineers have done a good job with the recent pirates rehab, as well as the Jungle Cruise, and mansion. From pictures it seems the subs will also prove to be a winner. so i think they could do a good job retheming the island, but keeping the charm of the area. also i hope they keep the rafts in some form as they are still a very unique form of transportation.
Originally Posted By avromark Just hire me at my current rate of pay plus adjustment for southern California cost of living and give me a brand new raft. I'll help keep the raft throughput up, i'm sure a few other LPers will agree to the same terms, maybe add another set of docks too boot. Heck give me a double decker raft Couldn't the POTC take over just "part" of the island, maybe Pirate Country or something? It'll add to the illusion of conquest or something. A compromise that will placate neither the traditionalists or the buccaneers.
Originally Posted By CMM1 Just leave the island as it is with any necessary refurbishment of the caves, the bridges and the rocks. You don't need to overdo the place - it stands on it's own merits for what it is.
Originally Posted By monorailblue "I don't like it, but if it spruces up the island it is a good thing" is an incredibly silly thing for anyone to suggest. What if someone proposed a George Lucas Moon of Endor re-do? It would certainly spruce up the island, but it would NOT be a good thing. How about a Videopolis re-do? So just drop the "anything is better than what we have now" nonsense--because "anything" simply isn't.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe I hope that it remains the same. I will be saddened to see it go as we have many fond memories of it and I think it should remain as a tribute to Walt Disney. As far as kids not knowing who Tom Sawyer is, I feel it is up to us as parents to educate our children in the classics! My daughter was just accepted on her school's Academic Decathelon competition. The competition is in March. My daughter was assigned "Literature", which she was greatly hoping for and requested. I was quite pleased when I saw the book the students will be competing and tested on...if you haven't already guessed...its Tom Sawyer! I think that our daughter will have a whole new perspective of Tom Sawyer's Island when we go back to Disneyland in a couple of weeks!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I think it's kind of silly notion on Al's part to assert that knowing who Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn are is integral to one's enjoyment of TSI. With that line of thinking a trip through Splash Mountain must be very dull if you do not know who Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear are. If Disney weren’t so obsessed with corporate synergy (or maybe a little smarter about it) there’d be unique Tom Sawyer merchandise for sale at the park and themed entertainment elements to play up the Tom Sawyer theme. Isn’t it kind of ridiculous that that it has taken nearly 40 years for one of the most popular attractions in history to get in-park roaming characters and entertainment only AFTER a film was made based on the ride?
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> there’d be unique Tom Sawyer merchandise for sale at the park << Didn't they used to sell a 'regis philbin' plush at DCA? I'm not sure if disney owns the rights to the tom, huck and becky characters, but even if they do, I can't imagine it would be a popular line of souvenirs.
Originally Posted By alexbook >>I think it's kind of silly notion on Al's part to assert that knowing who Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn are is integral to one's enjoyment of TSI. With that line of thinking a trip through Splash Mountain must be very dull if you do not know who Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear are.<< How many kids (or even adults) have a clue about Mr. Toad?
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I'm not sure if disney owns the rights to the tom, huck and becky characters, but even if they do, I can't imagine it would be a popular line of souvenirs." You're probably right, but then again who would have thought that faux dreadlock pirate hats would be as popular in the park as they are today. If the marketing is right Disney could sell ice to eskimo.
