Are Guests REALLY That Upset About the Destruction of Tom Sawyer Island?
Earlier this month, Disney hosted its biennial D23 Expo — the ultimate Disney fan event. As in years past, the highlight of the event was the Parks Panel, hosted by Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro. Thousands of fans flooded the Honda Center, ready to hear all the most exclusive Disney parks news.
Unlike 2022, there was no shortage of exciting theme park news, covering not just Disney World and Disneyland Resort, but also Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disney, and Disneyland Paris. While a lot of the news had fans really excited about the future, there was one piece of news that has become a real point of contention.
Related: Disney FINALLY Gives Guests What They’ve Been Asking For!
During the panel, D’Amaro announced that Frontierland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park would be getting an expansion. The expansion would be the new home of a Cars area, themed after the 2006 Pixar film.
While there was initial intrigue, debate exploded after it was revealed just how Disney would be expanding Frontierland. According to multiple reports, Disney will be getting rid of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat. It also appears that Disney will be filling in most of the water around the area to make way for the Cars attractions coming to the area.
Related: Ignoring Walt’s Vision: The Fatal Flaw With Disney’s Frontierland Expansion
In the days since D23, there has been a lot of public outcry against the destruction of two classic attractions. There are a lot of people who believe that Liberty Square will be ruined if a Cars area takes over Frontierland.
There are also worries that the aura and feeling surrounding the Haunted Mansion — which is in Liberty Square — will also be destroyed without the peacefulness of the Rivers of America and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
While those concerns are definitely valid, many people took to social media to voice their disappointment in the destruction of Tom Sawyer Island. But are they really that upset? Or are they more upset that Disney is continuing to dismantle the nostalgia that makes the Magic Kingdom the theme park it is?
It’s rare to see the crowds pack Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat. That’s why many people think that fans are simply opposed to the change, instead of in love with the areas that will soon be dismantled.
Developing the parks with fan input is like cleaning out the closet with a 6 yo
“OK, let’s give away Tom Sawyer Island to make room for new toys.”
“But MOOMMMMM Tom Sawyer Island is MY FAVORITE!”
“You haven’t played with Tom Sawyer Island in 3 years.”
“I was JUST GOING TO.“
Developing the parks with fan input is like cleaning out the closet with a 6 yo
“OK, let’s give away Tom Sawyer Island to make room for new toys.”
“But MOOMMMMM Tom Sawyer Island is MY FAVORITE!”
“You haven’t played with Tom Sawyer Island in 3 years.”
“I was JUST GOING TO.”— I Don’t Even Know a Samantha 🐻 ✨ (@MickeyExpediti1) August 12, 2024
During the Parks Panel, Mr. D’Amaro also announced that Monstropolis from Pixar’s 2001 film Monsters, Inc. would be coming to Hollywood Studios. Many quickly feared that Disney would be tearing down Muppet*Vision 3D to make way for the new area. Petitions were quickly started, and fans have been begging Disney not to tear down the iconic 3D attraction.
Hollywood Studios is the only Disney park where guests can enjoy the attraction. The show used to be in Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, but it closed in 2014, and the theater is now home to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. However, there are several versions of Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat at other Disney Resorts.
There are like 4 Tom Sawyer islands at different parks, riverboats galore, playgrounds for kids everywhere, forts, forests, canoes, mud, bridges, etc all OVER THR WORLD (with one island literally being a forever feature as it’s part of a night time show)
Muppetvision Count: 1
There are like 4 Tom Sawyer islands at different parks, riverboats galore, playgrounds for kids everywhere, forts, forests, canoes, mud, bridges, etc all OVER THR WORLD (with one island literally being a forever feature as it’s part of a night time show)
Muppetvision Count: 1 https://t.co/kKSGpsYrGf
— Disney Dan Becker (@DisneyDan) August 19, 2024
Related: Is It Time For Disney World to Get Rid of Liberty Square?
Of course, as we said above, many people will not necessarily miss Tom Sawyer Island but will miss its quintessential feel and peacefulness. The Island and the Riverboat help Frontierland flow seamlessly into one another.
The last time I was at Magic Kingdom I went to Tom Sawyer Island to grab some “what’s beyond big thunder mountain” shots never thinking that I was standing on it. These views will be missed
The last time I was at Magic Kingdom I went to Tom Sawyer Island to grab some “what’s beyond big thunder mountain” shots never thinking that I was standing on it. These views will be missed pic.twitter.com/Sa20ztxGyL
— TPMvids (@TPMvideos) August 13, 2024
Disney has said that they plan to start construction on the Cars area sometime in 2025. But that is not the only change coming to the Magic Kingdom in the near future. Disney Imagineers and construction crews have also already begun working on the highly anticipated Villains Land, which will be located beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Will you really miss Tom Sawyer Island? Or will you miss the nostalgia and relaxed feel it brings to Frontierland and Liberty Square? Let us know in the comments!
Honestly, not missing the Island but WILL DEFINITELY miss the riverboat cruise.
Can’t wait, please destroy everything that generations of park guests loved. It will be the final nail in the coffin for season tickets. Probably will never return. Save me a lot of money.