Disney’s Tom Sawyer Island: Too Old Media
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 05.23.07 | 3:20 PM ET
Out: Tom Sawyer and books. In: Jack Sparrow, movies, video games and, yes, vertical integration. Last October, Disneyland fans were wondering whether park officials would ditch Tom Sawyer for Jack Sparrow, turning Tom Sawyer Island, which was designed by Walt himself and opened in 1956, into a “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed attraction. Or, as one observer put it, “Will Disney abandon book-lovers for Pirates 2.0?” Absolutely, Disney officials announced today, though they’ve slyly kept the island’s original name. On Friday, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will debut, timed, not coincidentally, with the opening of the latest “Pirates” film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
“The phenomenal popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has allowed our Imagineers and cast members to bring the classic Tom Sawyer Island pirate experience alive in new, entertaining and fun ways like only Disney can do,” said Disneyland resort president Ed Grier. “Through Disney’s signature brand of storytelling, guests will be immersed in a pirate experience like no other and find new ways to explore an island that’s been taken over by some of the most popular characters from the Pirates franchise, including Captain Jack Sparrow himself.”
While millions of kids today love Jack Sparrow, few, apparently, know much of anything about Tom Sawyer.
That’s a shame. As Theme Park Insider’s Robert Niles wrote back in October:
In Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain created the most compelling, debated and beloved characters in all of American culture. If today’s kids do not know of them, why, that’s a pretty damning indictment of the rest of us, as parents, educators and artists. That Disney’s failed these characters, and their story, by allowing Tom Sawyer’s Island to fall into decay does not speak to an inherent lack of appeal in the characters, but to a lack of foresight by Disney.
As if to highlight the transformation in media and culture during the last 50 years, Disney officials are encouraging kids to bring video game players with them to Disneyland through Labor Day.
From Disney’s press release: “Pirates aficionados who are gamers also will find a bounty of buccaneer booty when a Disney Parks wireless initiative brings technology to life like never before. Created in partnership with Disney Interactive Studios for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, guests with a Nintendo DS(TM) and a copy of the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Nintendo DS video game will be able to download content only found in Disney Parks in Southern California and Florida.”
Seriously. “At Disneyland,” the press release notes, “half the fun will be discovering ‘hotspot’ locations in New Orleans Square (hint: as every pirate knows, X marks the spot) for downloads that unlock new content such as unlimited health and ‘savvy’ as well as fun extras and additional costumes.”
Nothing screams Disneyland fun like “new content.”
I’ve enjoyed the “Pirates” films, and I’m sure the revamped island will be a hit with kids—if they can pull their eyes away from their Nintendo games long enough to have a look around.
Try as I might, it’s hard not to be cynical about this.
Related on World Hum:
* ‘Will Disney Abandon Book-Lovers for Pirates 2.0.?’
* Disneyland’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Ride to Close for, uh, Synergy
* What Would Mark Twain Make of Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer’s Island?
* Top 30 Travel Books: ‘The Innocents Abroad’ by Mark Twain
Related on Travel Channel:
* Travel Channel’s Family Guide to Walt Disney World
* Explore: Disneyland Paris
* Explore: Disney Cruise Line (slide show)
Photo by hyku via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
TambourineMan 05.23.07 | 9:38 PM ET
Knowing Disney, how much you wanna bet these gamer ‘hotspot’ locations are right next to souvenir shops and churro stands?
Chris Rooney 05.29.07 | 1:54 PM ET
My family and I are big Disney World fans, but I must admit that we have not gone to Tom Sawyer Island on our visits. I’m not surprised that Disney would look to revamp this area to more current trends, but it is a shame when the original ‘Walt’ attractions are lost as he designed them. I remember loving Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as a child. I guess that is just showing my age.
RBrooksC 08.02.07 | 10:24 AM ET
My mom gave me her copy of Tom Sawyer when I was around seven years old or so. I know I was younger than nine. I read it and was entralled. Before I give my child Harry Potter or The Golden Compass or any new children’s literature, I will give him a copy of Tom Sawyer and allow him to be caught up in the adventure only Sam Clemens could create. Here is hoping that these classic stories are not lost to my son.
Jeff 02.07.08 | 7:21 PM ET
yeah it is hard not to be cynical but you have to realize it’s a business and they know kids are into gaming
and also big budget films aimed at a wholesome, or younger audience such as Pirates of the Caribbean…I look at it like if demand were there then it needs to be filled.
Miley Cyrus 03.21.08 | 1:28 PM ET
I don’t think they’ll be making a movie in the future. I used to love the books when I was younger :).
karthik cmouli 04.12.08 | 8:49 PM ET
Johnny depp is a brilliant actor and as such is one of the most loved pirates of the movie buzz. So yes, to keep in touch with the modern likes and desires, disney park has gone to the pirates of the caribbean, to the victor the spoils!
Disney Movies 05.30.08 | 6:46 PM ET
i wrote the same topic in my blog too;
Check out my site at: http://www.moviedisney.com/
10x for it.
DSTT 09.30.08 | 2:38 PM ET
It’s kind of sad to see the island go but I guess it’s not as popular as it once was. PTC are much more popular today and I guess having two different pirate themes does not make much sense.