General Information

Location: An island in Rivers of America, rafts to access the island are on the water next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Date Opened: 5/20/1973

# of Ride Units: Three rafts provide access to the island (two can be operated simultaneously.

Ride Capacity: Approximately 70 people per raft, hundreds can be on the islands at the same time.

Restraint Method: None

Ticket Rating: B Ticket

Ride Photo: No

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Time Commitment

Open/Close: The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island frequently don't begin operating until an hour after the park opens. The island closes at dusk.

Wait Times: It is rare to have to wait for more than one raft, generally no more than 15 minutes to get to or from the island.

Length of Ride: 2 minutes for the raft to cross Rivers of America, after that it is self-paced.

FastPass: No

Single Rider: No

Queue Description: No queue, just a waiting corral for the rafts.

Access Information

Health Restriction: None that would prevent any access to the island. Some areas involve navigating small spaces with low ceilings, navigating uneven and unstable surfaces, and climbing stairs.

Ride Access: The rafts are wheelchair and ECV accessible and are wide portions of the island. Several areas, however, can not be navigated easily with any mobility impairments.

Wheelchair Transfer: Not necessary, but it means some areas of the island will be off limits.

Service Animals: Yes

Audio: There is none on this attraction.

Weight and Size Issues: Narrow and low ceiling caves may create discomfort.

Parenting Information

Height Restriction: None

Child Swap: No

Other Issues:

History and Trivia

  • At this location: Though Tom Sawyer Island was built into the Rivers of America area when the park opened in 1971, it was not fully completed until 1973.
  • The Attraction's History: For the most part the island remains unchanged since it opened in 1973, though minor tweaks and adjustments have been made.
  • Other Trivia:
    • Movie tie-in: For Sam Clemens was renamed Fort Langhorn in 1996 as part of the promotion of Disney's film Tom and Huck.
    • The rafts: Unlike authentic river rafts, Disney's use natural gas engines to get across the river. The three river rafts are named Tom Sawyer, Injun Joe, and Becky Thatcher.