Goodbye Tom Sawyer Island, Hello Jack Sparrow Island

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Children would rather have a pirate island then a island based on a movie that they do not know.

Actually, the island wasn't based on any movie version, but the actual book. And c'mon, what kid today in 2007 in their right mind would *gasp* read a book for entertainment?

As far as the changes go, I'll just repeat myself, Tom Sawyer's Island DOES need a lot of work, and anybody I go with to Disneyland just ignore it because it's a "playground". If Jack Sparrow and the gang can make that island as exciting for people as it did 50 years ago, and actually fix the island from it's rehab due to the new California safety laws, I'm all for it.

As far as over-promotion for Pirates, not yet. Two words: "Stitch" and "Nemo".

[The Merman]

As far as the changes go, I'll just repeat myself, Tom Sawyer's Island DOES need a lot of work, and anybody I go with to Disneyland just ignore it because it's a "playground". If Jack Sparrow and the gang can make that island as exciting for people as it did 50 years ago, and actually fix the island from it's rehab due to the new California safety laws, I'm all for it.

As far as over-promotion for Pirates, not yet. Two words: "Stitch" and "Nemo".

I agree 100% I was at the park this summer and the Island was almost empty! If they can make it hot again then they should. Stitch is all over the place! I just want to shoot him!

[Disney-Fan]

As far as over-promotion for Pirates, not yet. Two words: "Stitch" and "Nemo".

You won't hear me arguing. Someone should put those animals out of their miseries.

[Loomis]

Well, as far as Jack, and Nemo and Stitch are concerned - they sell!

As hard as it is to believe DISNEYland and DISNEY World are pretty much there to promote the products of <strike>Lucasfilm</strike>...err...DISNEY.

As I said above, my objection is not necessarily in the overexposure of certain characters - as Alice has two rides (Teacups and the dark ride); Snow White has several attractions (the Grotto; the scary Adventures and until recently, a live show). Pinocchio and Dumbo appeart twice each (Pinnochio's Daring Journey/Storybook Canal entrance and Dumbo the Flying Elephant/Casey Jr's train respectively). Nobody would accuse these characters of being overused, as they are considered classics.

Well, these are the big hits of now. One day, they may all be considered classics, and people will ask "Where were the Stitch rides?" And, as the old saying goes, Disneyland will never be completed...

[jwa1107]

Well, as far as Jack, and Nemo and Stitch are concerned - they sell!

As hard as it is to believe DISNEYland and DISNEY World are pretty much there to promote the products of <strike>Lucasfilm</strike>...err...DISNEY.

still waiting for that WILLOW dark ride...

[Disney Duster]

Stitch is all over the place! I just want to shoot him!

OMG! You actually got a genuine laugh out loud out of me! I hardly ever laugh out loud for realz on the internet these days! Thank you! I probably found it so funny because I also am not the biggest fan of Stitch...

[DARTH KNITE]

Personally I feel that changing the island because they feel children haven't read the book is the most ignorant reason possible. How dumbed down can you get? Give people a challenge to read something. Keep them informed about the classics. Whats next Pocahontas canoes instead of Davy Crockett? Granted I love that movie, but there has always been a sence of timeless tales at Disney. This is paying homage to the old and the new. Changing the treehouse and now the island only goes to cheapen and weaken the idea of the classics. People need to say something, maybe this time, unlike with the removal of the Electrical Parade, they'll actually listen.

[Loomis]

Personally I feel that changing the island because they feel children haven't read the book is the most ignorant reason possible. How dumbed down can you get? Give people a challenge to read something. Keep them informed about the classics. Whats next Pocahontas canoes instead of Davy Crockett? Granted I love that movie, but there has always been a sence of timeless tales at Disney. This is paying homage to the old and the new. Changing the treehouse and now the island only goes to cheapen and weaken the idea of the classics. People need to say something, maybe this time, unlike with the removal of the Electrical Parade, they'll actually listen.

I think it is more than simply people having not read the book. When you have an "attraction" that is right near Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, it is no surprise that it isn't being used as much as it used to. It is an empty island with some caves and climbing equipment. Golly, what kid wouldn't want to do that when they could could to the audio-animatronic shows across the River?

I fully accept that TSI has - or possibly had - its place in the history of Disneyland. However, just because it is old, it doesn't make it worth preserving. I'm not entirely sure of the Pirates Island idea either, but there certainly needs to be something more appealing there than rafts leading to a dead hunk of rock.

[DARTH KNITE]

I was also referring to those out there who have an attention span wider than that of a two year old. Those who might want something interactive instead of sitting on their butt. Nothing against the rides, i'm just saying that the Island is unique because people can have their own adventure instead of watching a robot have one. I'm not defending it because its a old, i'm defending it because I don't like the idea of selling out to the latest fad. Obviously some people are gonna be lazy and want a ride instead, but I wasn't really addressing that. But as was stated, nothing is for sure yet.

[Mr. Toad]

Allright. Construction is delayed. Tom Sawyer Island and Fantasmic will be on for my visit next week.

[The Merman]

OMG! Laughing You actually got a genuine laugh out loud out of me! I hardly ever laugh out loud for realz on the internet these days! Thank you! I probably found it so funny because I also am not the biggest fan of Stitch...

Im happy I made you laugh! People need to laugh more these days

I was also referring to those out there who have an attention span wider than that of a two year old. Those who might want something interactive instead of sitting on their butt. Nothing against the rides, i'm just saying that the Island is unique because people can have their own adventure instead of watching a robot have one. I'm not defending it because its a old, i'm defending it because I don't like the idea of selling out to the latest fad. Obviously some people are gonna be lazy and want a ride instead, but I wasn't really addressing that. But as was stated, nothing is for sure yet.

It was not going to be a ride but nearly the same concept as TSI just with pirates. I am not saying they should make it into a Pirate island because I am having pirate overload right now, but they do have to pimp it up a little! when I was there this summer it was empty! When it was one of the most busy days I have ever encounterd in any Disney park. And it looked so bad that I thought I was at Grubby Gulch instead of Disney.

i'm just saying that the Island is unique because people can have their own adventure instead of watching a robot have one

That is something I fully support! Skull Rock in Disneyland Paris is one of those things that should never be removed! You can be lost and discover new things in those long underground caves for hours! And then you have that hanging bridge, over the water... and many more things that they fased out slowly in the US parks.

Anyway it is reported now that they are NOT making a Pirate Island because it would not fit in with the theming of the area and such. And I do believe they might have been a little taken back by the amount of attention the island received.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Personally I feel that changing the island because they feel children haven't read the book is the most ignorant reason possible. How dumbed down can you get? Give people a challenge to read something. Keep them informed about the classics.

I think you're missing the whole point of Disneyland. While Walt loved nostalgia, Disneyland was never meant to be a museum. It was supposed to be an innovating and fun place where anybody in the world can have a fun time, specifically, families. So you need something new or something that's coming most of the time to keep people excited.

Tom Sawyer's Island might be a classic, but any person who's a big fan of Disney(like us) will know it existed years to come, and if many people today aren't currently interested in it, what's the point in keeping it operational? Pirates of the Caribbean are hugely successful, so, making the island Pirates themed, your going to get people excited. We haven't actually seen the differences between the two so far, so you can't really knock the change yet, and for "giving in to the latest trend", I think it's safe to say the Pirates franchise is destined to become a classic, and arguably already is. Also Walt himself was always looking for the "latest fad". That's why there's a "Tomorrowland" in the first place.

[Loomis]

^^
Well, said Timon/Pumbaa fan. That pretty much sums up how I feel about the issue.

TSI had its time and its place, but even Walt - who pesonally had a hand in designing TSI - would agree that the park needs to appeal to the youth of every generation. I am completely against 'fads' myself, but Pirates is much more than a fad: it is a multi-billion dollar industry that began with the park.

I think it is the ultimate example of art referencing itself.