Birt Family Focus

Tom Sawyer's Island -- 10/23/01

It's that time again and today we're going back into time to Hannibal Missouri, circa 1850ish. See that raft? Tom and Huck used a similar one to float down the MIssissippi while pulling one of their many pranks. We're just gonna float over to the island- it probably won't be near as much fun as Tom and Huck had, but if you haven't been on a real raft before, it just might!

Once on the island- Tom Sawyer's Island that is- there are scads of things to do. There are dozens of paths, winding their ways through the woods- up hills and down. Many areas are marked with signs, obviously penned by Tom himself, identifying points of interest along the trails. There is a big cave system, dark and scary, just like the one Injun Joe used to hide in and try to kill Tom and Becky. Speaking of Tom and Becky- the caves are a good place to sneak a smootch, but watch out for Injun Joe, he could be just around that stalagmite (stalactite?) up ahead!

There are 2 bridges, one suspension and one floating barrel bridge. It only takes one person to bounce the barrels or sway the suspension bridge but all but the most chicken will get a good, FUN , scare when this happens. The barrel bridge is right near the old Grist Mill. Some say it's haunted. The suspension bridge takes you to Fort Langhorn.

Once upon a time there were air/pop guns there to play cowboys and Indians and such. Once, though, somebody got their finger caught in the trigger area of one and did some major damage to themselves (an adult with fingers to big to be playing with the gun no doubt- but I really don't know, this is just my sour grapes opinion) and they took all the guns out. I don't know if they are back. Personally, I think they just could have taken the trigger guards off, they only shoot air for Pete's sake, but I wasn't consulted. Anyway- I really don't know if the guns are back or not. Why don't you go and see?

Most of the adults will find TSI the perfect place to rest and relax. There are plenty of rockers in the shade around Aunt Polly's. If you have time to kill waiting for a fast pass to Splash Mountain, TSI is a great place to go. Mom and Dad sit in the rockers with a nice cold lemonade, while the kids run screaming off down the path, blowing off steam. It's pretty safe for any kid over 6. Mine has been running around that island for years while I relaxed and watch the riverboats go by, without mishap, so I'm pretty confident in saying it is safe. She wouldn't go into the caves alone until she was 8 and still won't let both me and her dad go with her as we smooch and she thinks it's gross (which makes us do it all the more). Nothing is more fun than embarrassing your kid, after all. She doesn't like me to go because I shout boo at her in the darkest parts of the cave (an activity contrived solely to buy more rocking chair time). He He-

Aunt Polly's is a great choice for lunch or a snack with littles, as well. The menu is very limited- PB & J, Ham sandwiches, fried chicken, cookies, ice cream, sodas, and lemonade. Just what Aunt Polly would have fed her errant boy. In typical Disney fashion, the food is pricy but the portions huge. They have a kids meal with PBJ, chips, cookie, and a drink for about $4 if memory serves and we've been known to buy 3 of those and munch out.

This attraction does close at dusk and in inclement weather, so be sure and visit in the daylight hours. The area to board the rafts is right near Splash mountain but easy to miss- be sharp eyed and have a great time. I know we do!