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Tom Sawyer Island reopens at Disneyland, revealing more views of the park’s future expansions

in Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney Company, Theme Parks

Posted on by Mike Celestino 2 Comments
Lafitte’s Tavern, a nostalgic wooden building with red and blue walls, benches out front, and rustic decor that captures the adventurous spirit of Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland.

In January of 2016, Disneyland closed a number of its long-running attractions during construction of the park’s new Star Wars expansion, rerouting of the Rivers of America and the redirection / beautification of the Disneyland Railroad tracks. After last week’s reopening of Big Thunder Trail (the path that connects Fantasyland to Frontierland near the back of the park), fans have been waiting to see what the next step would be in restoring Disneyland to its more wide-open glory.

Fast forward to yesterday, when the park announced that Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island would begin receiving guests again today. I visited the park this afternoon to get a look at the newly-restored area, taking note of what’s different, checking out fresh views, and once again enjoying access to another of Disneyland’s more peaceful spots.

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Of note some of the more interesting changes are the removal of Tom Sawyer Island’s graveyard and the complete blocking of access to the interior and upper level of the treehouse (which had been closed off for sometime anyhow). You can also get a good view of the new train trestle and the future Critter Country entrance to Star Wars Land.

Coming up in July, we can look forward to the relaunch of Fantasmic (on 7/17, Disneyland’s 62nd birthday) and the return of the Disneyland Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, and Sailing Ship Columbia (on 7/29).

MORE PHOTOS OF TOM SAWYER ISLAND:

A hand-painted wooden sign on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland announces: “LAST RAFT TO THE ISLAND WILL LEAVE AT 5:00.” The uneven lettering adds to the adventurous, old-fashioned atmosphere that fans love in this themed Frontierland attraction. “Rafts to Pirate’s Lair” sign at Disneyland directs guests to Tom Sawyer Island, with helpful safety and access details. The scene includes fellow park visitors and lush trees in the background. A classic Disneyland wooden dock stretches out with a vintage sailing ship anchored nearby, lush trees framing the scene beneath a brilliant blue sky—capturing the nostalgic riverside ambiance of Tom Sawyer Island during iconic park expansion eras. A charming raft house with shuttered windows floats on the tranquil river at Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer Island, surrounded by lush trees and park guests enjoying the immersive Frontierland adventure. A charming wooden houseboat is moored along a rustic walkway on tranquil waters, surrounded by lush trees, evoking the peaceful atmosphere of Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland during its exciting park expansion era. Rustic wooden structure with frontier-era statues on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland, set behind a rope fence and stone wall, nestled among trees and dappled in sunlight—a nostalgic tribute to the park’s classic adventure-themed expansions. Lafitte’s Tavern, a nostalgic wooden building with red and blue walls, benches out front, and rustic decor that captures the adventurous spirit of Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. Lafitte’s Tavern sign on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland, featuring bold red wood and a painted sword underneath the text—a nod to the island’s pirate lore and its connection to Disney history and expansion plans. An array of swords, axes, and pistols are displayed on a rustic wooden wall beneath a playful “Stow yer WEAPONS” sign, capturing the adventurous vibe of Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland—a beloved classic that immerses guests in imaginative storytelling and nostalgia from the park’s early days. On Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland, fishing nets with brown floats are strung between rustic wooden poles, set against the backdrop of a ship’s mast and lush trees—a nostalgic nod to the park’s classic frontier theming.

in Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney Company, Theme Parks

Mike Celestino

After growing up on Long Island, Mike has spent his adult life in Southern California. He’s been fascinated by theme parks since a very early age, and has contributed to Inside the Magic since April of 2015. His other interests include Star Wars, LEGO, and The Muppets.

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