By Dopey Diva
If I could choose only one park to visit while at Disney World, there is no doubt it would be the Magic Kingdom. There is so much to do and see at the Magic Kingdom…in fact there is so much to do sometimes you need to find a nice place to relax and get away from the crowds for a little while. I feel Tom Sawyer Island is one of those places! It is also a great place where you can take your children to run and play and let them explore the many things the island has to offer.
Tom Sawyer Island is located in Frontierland and is suitable for children of all ages. The adventure starts with a journey on a log raft across the Rivers of America which takes you to Tom’s Landing. Once you get off your raft, you are able to take self-guided expeditions across dusty roads and suspension bridges. You can explore caves and journey through a fort that gives you the feeling of what the early settlers lives might have been like many years ago.
There are several different paths you can choose to start your adventure. Along your journey be sure to look for some legendary sites. There is Harper’s Mill, the giant waterwheel, with an area to walk around inside. Injun Joe’s Cave is a great place to explore. There are tight passageways throughout the cavern as well as fossils and stalagmites, but it is dark inside so you might want to keep younger children close to you. On top of the island there is Tom Sawyers Scavenge Fort which is a great play area for children 12 years old and under.
My favorite area of Tom Sawyer Island is Fort Langhorn. This area depicts an early frontier settlement and includes a blacksmith shop and stables as well as watch towers and an escape tunnel. Here you are able to climb towers and cross bridges and get a feel of what life was like many years ago. There is an area to sit and play checkers and once you are finished exploring there is an escape tunnel you can take out of the fort. If your child is afraid of the dark you are also able to leave the fort the same way you entered.
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This area is not heavily populated which makes it a great place to escape the crowds from the Magic Kingdom for a little while. If you have a small child who is need of a nap or even just a little down time I would recommend heading over here. Another great thing Fort Langhorn has to offer is a quiet, peaceful bathroom…for those of you who may prefer a little more privacy in the restroom.
I know this is an attraction not many people take advantage or may not even realize it is there. If you haven’t been to Tom Sawyer Island I recommend you give it a try. Not only is it an adventure but it is also a great place to get some amazing photos of other Disney attractions!
