Disney Confirms Closure of Only Remaining Tom Sawyer Island Attraction in the U.S.
The last version of Tom Sawyer Island operating anywhere in the United States has temporarily gone dark, as Disneyland Resort closes Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island for its second refurbishment of the year.
The Last of Its Kind
Disneyland Park now holds a unique distinction among the American Disney parks, serving as the sole remaining home to a version of Tom Sawyer Island. That status was solidified after Walt Disney World Resort permanently closed its own Tom Sawyer Island in 2025, along with the Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America, clearing the way for Piston Peak National Park, a new Cars (2006)-themed land coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park.
Refurbishment Begins at Disneyland
Disneyland Resort updated its website earlier this summer, confirming that Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island would close for refurbishment beginning September 14. True to form, the Southern California Disney park offered no specifics about what guests might see once work concludes.
Signs of construction have already appeared at the site. WDW News Today shared a photo on Facebook Monday showing a “wet paint” sign posted on a rope fence blocking access to the raft loading dock in Frontierland.
This marks the attraction’s second closure of 2026. Back in late April, guests discovered Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island unexpectedly shut down with no prior warning from Disneyland Resort. That closure proved brief, with the ride reopening in early May without any noticeable changes to the experience.
A Possible Reopening This Week
Disneyland Resort’s website currently lists standard operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island for Thursday, September 17, suggesting a potential reopening later this week. Still, the same page advises guests to “check back” for the latest updates, meaning that timeline isn’t guaranteed to hold.
Has a ride refurbishment ever impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Tell Disney Dining about your experience in the comments!
