Here's a brief photo tour of some of the changes on Tom Sawyer Island:
(Warning!!! This thread may contain a few photo and descriptive spoilers.)

Hop on the raft with the sign by the dock indicating the changing times for the island

http://img99.**************/img99/7641/dlrpirateslairport01ap0.jpg

While waiting to board the raft (which also has a pirate flag hoisted) a pirate greets you and he does tell tales. Upon arriving, head to Lafitte's Tavern (the Fantasmic Stage where you're sure to find plenty of pirates in song and dance or in battle with each other (explained later).

http://img99.**************/img99/4690/dlrpirateslairtavern01ai4.jpg

The treehouse behind the tavern as well as Castle Rock still maintain their tributes to Huck & Tom, but as you head toward the old suspension & barrel brides you will find opportunities to uncover treasure...and bones to go with it.

http://img99.**************/img99/4470/dlrpirateslairbones02ni8.jpg
http://img524.**************/img524/848/dlrpirateslairbones01sv4.jpg

Oh, and a familiar sight from the 2nd movie that will compel you to take of photo of yourself in it.

http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/506/medium/DLR_pirateslair_bones03.jpg (http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5665&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2356)

Pirates are wandering about the island with tales to tell but go to Dead Man's Grotto (formerly Injun Joe's cave) and you'll hear the eerie voices of those who haunt this treasure filled cave.

http://img155.**************/img155/4900/dlrpirateslairgrotto00fg4.jpg

The first cavern is wide and deep with pirate artifacts, treasure, and skeletons.

http://img99.**************/img99/705/dlrpirateslairgrotto01po3.jpg

Look toward the end of the cavern you'll find a peculiar glowing item within your reach but attached with a warning. A familiar sight from the movie.

http://img99.**************/img99/4934/dlrpirateslairgrotto02vf1.jpg
http://gallery.vmkforums.com/data/506/DLR_pirateslair_grotto02.jpg (http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5666&cat=500&size=big&ppuser=2356)

The next series of narrow passageways offer small holes abundant in glittering treasure and just within reach. However, this treasure is cursed and guarded by those who haunt the grotto.

http://img99.**************/img99/6150/dlrpirateslairgrotto04xe7.jpg

Plenty of treasure and plenty of ways for the pirates to scare you off from their plunder. Note: I am witholding some of my photos due to not to spoil some of the great surprises in the grotto plus most of the effects really can't be captured on a photograph

At the end of the grotto we find a prisoner, lonely and mumbling with the moonlit sky peeping through an opening. Is this pirate cursed?

http://img99.**************/img99/3504/dlrpirateslairgrotto05el0.jpg

After waiting 10 minutes sweating bullets in this narrow cave and nothing happening, I decided to head outside to meet the cool SoCal breeze.

Outside the exit, a new business venture seems to have popped up.

http://img155.**************/img155/9031/dlrpirateslairmill01vy1.jpg

Upon returning to the tavern, the pirates sung a melancholy tune about that "cursed dinghy ride" (no they weren't singing about Pirates but of that other boat ride" and (I'm going to try to truncate/generalize the storyline of this performance, so I apologize beforehand) then a few pirates arrive searching for a treasure map stuck in a forbidden chest. Not only was the map found but look what the map dragged out...

http://gallery.vmkforums.com/data/500/DLR_pirateslair_sparrow01.jpg (http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5668&cat=500&size=big&ppuser=2356)

However, when it comes to treasure maps and greedy pirates, you simply can't expect them to work together

http://img99.**************/img99/2185/dlrpirateslairsparrow04rw8.jpg
http://gallery.vmkforums.com/data/500/DLR_pirateslair_sparrow02.jpg (http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5667&cat=500&size=big&ppuser=2356)
http://img99.**************/img99/4370/dlrpirateslairsparrow03to7.jpg

After a fierce sword battle along with his deceptive and selfish tactics, Jack saves the day and saves the treasure map.

That's all for the tour. For those trying to find Tom and Huck on this island may have to search hard for those references. I am kind of sad though that Fort Wilderness may not find a purpose on this pirate island but I found the grotto a great improvement. The placement of singing pirates and Jack's swordfighting on the Fantasmic stage makes a great attention-getter for those on the other side of the river who probably would have never bothered to acknowledge the existence of the island.

Ok, so there's no Tom Sawyer left at all, huh? How long before they change the name of the Island?

Still, it does look like fun. I look forward to exploring the Island. Thanks for the preview!

Ive never been to Tom Sawyer Island, perhaps they will keep it until my next trip to WDW

I spent my childhood playing on this island (Not a roller coaster fan. My parents would allow me to play as long as I wanted, and come find me after. Safer days...) I know every inch of those caves, and I love running through them, even at 6'7", and ... quite a bit older than I was ;) . At first I was concerned about the piratization of my island. But after seeing it yesterday, I was thoroughly impressed.

The place looks great. Not overly done, by any stretch. And quite honestly, there haven't been traces of Tom and Huck for years. The fort is still closed at the far end, and now the graveyard behind it and the Critter Country side of the fort are blocked off as well. There are a few secrets to be found, but like NaviMap said, it's best to find them on yer own.

And I think this is the first time I've ever seen a longer line to get off the island, than to get on.

Ive never been to Tom Sawyer Island, perhaps they will keep it until my next trip to WDW
Sorry my friend but this is at Disneyland not WDW

I was there on opening day for Pirates Lair. Let me just get this off my chest, I in no way mean to offend anyone but, I HATE IT!

The Swiss Family Robinsons' get evicted by Tarzan and now poor ol' Tom Sawyer is kicked off his island. They are milking pirates WAY to much in my opinion. I loved the first pirates movie but, as soon as they started adding pirates everywhere at Disneyland, my opinion on the whole concept changed.

Ok, so there's no Tom Sawyer left at all, huh? How long before they change the name of the Island?

Still, it does look like fun. I look forward to exploring the Island. Thanks for the preview!

The real question is, how long will they test this before bringing it to WDW (with other or duplicated props in the cavern of course)?

Tom Sawyer was alright. But this looks even better! So are those real people fighting? Kinda cheesy costumes, after all, there's only one Jack Sparrow that fits the name. Tom Sawyer before was kinda boring so this would be perfect.

They are milking pirates WAY to much in my opinion. I loved the first pirates movie but, as soon as they started adding pirates everywhere at Disneyland, my opinion on the whole concept changed.

Three simple words...



Billion

Dollar

Franchise



Can't really blame them for capitalizing on it.

Three simple words...



Billion

Dollar

Franchise



Can't really blame them for capitalizing on it.


Yep. When the next movie comes out, they'll probably convert Tomorrowland to "Space Pirates Land" and Critter Country to "What If Bears Were Pirates?"

Nice pictures. Tom Sawyer island never really grabbed me cept for a big playground. Now it seems more interesting