Tom Sawyer Island is a lushly-landscaped outdoor playground in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom theme park where children of all ages can relive the rustic 19th-century adventures depicted in the novels of Mark Twain.
The wooded island is surrounded by the pastoral Rivers of America, and the only way to reach the island is aboard a raft that docks at Tom's Landing near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Sail across the river to romp through dense forests, forge rugged trails, cross swinging suspension bridges, explore mysterious caves, take shelter in a frontier fort built from unfinished timber and embark on mischievous, playful adventures, just like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Discover hidden treasures for those who care to do a little exploring; highlights include the mysterious jewels hidden deep in the dark caves, the creaky waterwheel at Harper's Mill, the bouncy barrel bridge and Fort Langhorn with its twisting escape tunnel.
Guests board a motorized raft at a dock located just at the foot of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over to the island. The raft ride takes only a few minutes. At the dock on the island, guests can sit in rocking chairs and play checkers, or begin to explore the grounds. Maps are posted periodically, be sure to check where you want to go, as paths meander every which way. There are dark passageways and caves to explore, an old mine, a scary, bouncy, rope bridge, a barrel bridge (below right), and the focal point, an old-fashioned fort, named Fort Langhorn (Twain's real name was Samuel Langhorn Clemens).
There are a lot of paved paths, a padded playground area, a rickety wooden walkway over the water and a suspension bridge, too. At the end of the main trail, you'll even come to a large wooden fort, where the kids can climb the stairs to the lookouts and other parts of the fortification to spy on other island visitors and the river traffic, which is, well, the Liberty Belle again. In the lookout structures, there are cannons and play rifles that actually make a kinda-sorta shooting sound. Kids love the sound and you will, too, until about the 80th time you've heard it.
Touring Tips
- Attention to detail is excellent, and kids revel in its frontier atmosphere. It's a must for families with children ages 5 to 15.
- Tom Sawyer Island closes at dusk. Be sure to check the daily schedule for the exact closing time.
- Although children could spend a whole day on the island, plan on at least 20 minutes. Access is by raft from Frontierland; two operate simultaneously and the trip is pretty efficient, though you may have to stand in line to board both ways.
- Kids will have fun exploring all four corners of the fort, playing with the noisy air rifles and cannons, then venturing into the dark "escape tunnel."
- Each morning, Disney cast members hide about a half a dozen colored paintbrushes around the island for guests to find. Look for colored handles with white paint on the bristles, on display shelves and buildings; they'll all be within arm's reach. Notify a cast member if you find one - you'll be rewarded with a small prize ranging from a front-of-line pass on any Magic Kingdom attraction to free sodas for your entire group. One of each prize is available each day on a first-come, first-served basis, so this is a great activity early on the second day in the park.
- Walking trails on the island are quite narrow with some tight turns, hills, and steps.
- The island is a different type of attraction in the Magic Kingdom and offers incredible views. It's a perfect venue for photographers, and a great place to escape the crowds, heat, and to decompress.
- The Liberty Belle paddles down the river past the island. Let your kids play free on the climbing structures while you soak in the details.
- Bring a change of clothing for little ones who want to play in the dirt and water.
Facts
- Tom Sawyer Island opened May 20,1973.
- Initially, the highlights of Tom Sawyer Island were called Injun Joe's Cave, Magnetic Mystery Mine and old Fort Sam Clemens. The fort's name was changed in 1996 after the release of the Disney movie Tom and Huck, which featured a Fort Langhorn.
- Tom Sawyer Island is actually made up of two islands, one connected to the other by a suspension bridge. On the other side of the bridge you can explore Fort Langhorn. A replica of log fortresses built along the river to protect settlers from Indian tribes during the era.
- The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island are not on a track or guiderail.
History
Walt Disney grew up in the town of Marceline, Missouri, and he always had a strong affinity for the world that Mark Twain created in his novels, especially The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which took place largely in the imaginary town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. Walt added Tom Sawyer Island to California's Disneyland Park in 1956-one of the first additions to the then one-year-old Theme Park. Sitting alongside the Rivers of America on the porch of Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn, sipping on a glass of lemonade, you can soak up a real glimpse of the idyllic world of yesteryear that Mark Twain and Walt Disney loved.
Hidden Mickeys
- As you ride Big Thunder Mountain at night you will notice a burning building on Tom Sawyer Island. The flaming hole in the center is in the shape of MICKEY. You have to be real quick because you only have about 2 seconds.
- This one is actually on the side of Big Thunder Mountain, but can only be seen from the island. The best place to see it is from in the fort. When you are in the fort facing the mountain, go in the "turret" (where the guns are) on the right closest to the mountain. Look out the hole of the gun on the right, and you will see a small white area on the mountain. Its three rocks in a Mickey head, almost sideways! It's the only white spot in that area. This is only visible from Tom Sawyer Island, either from on top of the Fort, or on the dock next to the the Fort where there's a few rocking chairs.