The Mouse House is facing outrage over plans to scrap a 50-year-old theme park attraction that holds the distinction of being the only one that was designed by Walt Disney himself.
Tom Sawyer Island, which first opened in Disneyland in Southern California in 1956 before a replica was erected at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando two decades later, will be shut down at the Central Florida park as part of its largest expansion in history.
The move was announced as part of Disney’s plan to expand Frontierland, the section at the Magic Kingdom which was designed to evoke the spirit of the Old West.
The news was earlier reported by the site SFGATE, which called Tom Sawyer Island “an anomaly, a place where parkgoers wander at their leisure rather than rushing to the next ride queue” and “witness wildlife that’s not animatronic.”
Disney announced in a blog post last week that it will repurpose Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America so that it can install a “Cars”-themed ride similar to the one that is already operational at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim.
“To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers,” Disney said in a blog post Monday.
The renovations will include the construction of a Route 66 companion where visitors to the race ride will be driven through mountains, geysers and trails, according to Disney.
“Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so many of us to keep propelling forward,” said Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Executive Product at Walt Disney Imagineering.
The news didn’t set well with some Disney fans. Kevin Sparrow wrote on his X account: “And now a moment of silence for Tom Sawyer Island. I’m really gonna miss this classic attraction.”
Another X user wrote that the move to do away with Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America “feels like a major mistake.”
“One they will regret for many decades to come.”
Another X user panned the move as the “worst idea ever.”
“We now have the ultimate* confirmation that Disney will sell its own history and classic features for $$,” the X user wrote, calling it the “cheapest blow yet to WDW Fans.”
X user Henry Taylor wrote that “there remains no space in any of the four parks where a kid can run around and explore.”
“This is a vital part of a theme park. Shame Disney forgot that,” Taylor commented.
The changes were announced by Disney at its D23 fan convention last weekend. Among new rides and attractions set to debut at the Anaheim park is one inspired by the Pixar animated film “Coco.”
Disney California Adventure will also be getting two more new Marvel attractions — a King Thanos ride and Stark Flight Lab featuring Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man.
Disney World’s Hollywood Studios will be adding a Monsters Inc.-themed area, the company announced.
The Post has sought comment from Disney.
