This post is part of a series that tours the Magic Kingdom from A to Z. For other posts in this series, click here.
After stopping to take in the details of Sir Mickey’s, we continue our tour by visiting one of the largest, most detailed and perhaps most overlooked attraction in Magic Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland.
Located in the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island is one of the best themed attractions in all of Walt Disney World. I don’t know how Disney Imagineers decided to make this attraction an island, but whomever came up with the idea was a genius. Since guests aren’t able to walk to Tom Sawyer Island like they can with almost all other attractions at Walt Disney World, an additional mode of transportation was needed in order for guests to gain access.
Tom Sawyer Island - Raft Launch
Instead of using a standard ferry, Disney created raft-like boats to transport guests to and from Tom Sawyer Island. By choosing to use an atypical form of transportation, a number of things are accomplished: the overall theming of the attraction is improved, guests get a sense that the island is isolated from the rest of Magic Kingdom, and Cast Members have the opportunity to tell guests the island’s back story and answer questions about the island’s layout.
Tom Sawyer Island - Map
Once guests have reached the island, there is lots to do and see. For starters, if you’re one of the first few people to visit Tom Sawyer Island, you have the opportunity to search for one of a number of hidden paint brushes. The paint brushes have been dropped in various locations on the island (some much easier than others), evidence that Tom (and whomever he convinced to help him) has shirked his whitewashing duties. If a guest finds a paint brush, it can be returned to the raft launch for a special Fastpass.
Tom Sawyer Island - Whitewashed Fence
When I went hunting for a paint brush on a recent trip, there were a bunch of kids on the raft who knew all about this. As soon as the raft was docked, the kids took off in every direction, hunting for paint brushes. I ended up finding one sitting on the porch near Aunt Polly’s. When I returned it to the Cast Member at the dock, I received an interesting Fastpass. The Cast Member handed me a certificate that was dated on the back and had the following on the front:
Thank-You For Participating In Frontierland Shoot-Out At High Noon:
This Certificate Will Enable Your Family Priority Entrance At:
Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain RailroadPlease present this certificate to the attraction host or hostess for assistance. All family members must meet the minimum height requirement to ride the attraction of your choice.
This certificate is valid today only.
I’ve never heard of the Frontierland Shoot-Out At High Noon before, but I’m guessing the certificate was left over from a similar event previously held in Frontierland (if you know anything about the shoot-out, please leave a comment!).
If you’re unable to find one of the paint brushes, don’t worry — there’s lots more to do at Tom Sawyer Island! Guests can explorer Old Scratch’s Magnetic Mystery Mine, supposedly home to a Hidden Goofy. I’ve never seen it before, but apparently some glowing gems to the right of the waterfall form the head of Goofy. You can also visit Harper’s Mill where, if you listen carefully, you can hear the creaks and groans of the mill playing Down by the Old Mill Stream, one of the most popular songs of the early 20th century. Other places and things to explore include the windmill, Injun Joe’s Cave, the suspension bridge and the barrel bridge.
On the main island, one of my favorite locations is Aunt Polly’s Dockside Inn. Aunt Polly’s is a seasonal counter service restaurant that serves ice cream, sundaes, floats, sodas and snacks. Unfortunately, the restaurant has been closed for several years, so the only refreshments available are sodas from a machine near the ordering window. The reason Aunt Polly’s is one of my favorite spots, though, is because there’s seating available (including some great rocking chairs) that offers great view of Frontierland and Liberty Square, especially Haunted Mansion.
Tom Sawyer Island - The Only Refreshments at Aunt Polly's
Another great section of Tom Sawyer Island is Fort Langhorn (previously Fort Sam Clemens), just across the suspension bridge on a smaller island. Fort Langhorn is a re-creation of a frontier fort that would have been around in Mark Twain’s time. Inside the fort the details are impressive, including watch towers with rifles to keep the fort safe from intruders, a stable, a blacksmith and an escape tunnel, just in case the men in the watch towers weren’t able to fend off attackers. On my most recent trip, the suspension bridge (and, perhaps, Fort Langhorn) was closed for refurbishment, so I don’t have any pictures of the fort’s interior. Below is a photo of Fort Langhorn from the Liberty Belle Riverboat.
Tom Sawyer Island - Fort Langhorn
If you’ve never been to Tom Sawyer Island, I highly recommend spending some time there. You’ll be amazed at how much there is to see in this oft overlooked Magic Kingdom attraction
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