Tom Sawyer Island No More

Tom Sawyer Island | Mouse Planet

To all you Tom Sawyer Island devotees, I'm sorry. A major revamp for the beloved attraction has been announced--a pirate theme will be added, and the name will change to Pirates Lair at Tom Sawyer Island. This announcement comes in lieu of the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie premiere at Disneyland--in fact, the refurbishment is expected to be nearly complete by the premiere in mid-2007.

Tom Sawyer Island is one of the few attractions designed solely by Walter Disney left in Disneyland. Since its 1956 opening, the island has garnered a vast amount of loyal fans, many who are upset over the recent refurbishment news.

Disney's California Adventure's 6th Anniversary

Disney's California Adventure | Photograph by Sam Antonio

Happy Anniversary, California Adventure! Six years ago today, the sister park of Disneyland opened to the public. Throughout the years, the park has experienced its share of ups and downs, and whether or not you're for or against it, we should all recognize this piece of Disneyland history.

Disneyland Railroad Refurbishment Announced

The Disneyland Railroad | disneylandpostcards.com

According to Mouse Planet, the Disneyland Railroad will be closed for a large period of time. From now until March 29, the railroad will not be open to guests. However, the railroad is expected to open from March 30-May 16, and once again close on May 17 for an uncertain amount of time--one Mouse Planet user assumes the attraction will be closed "for however long it takes to get [Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage] up and running."

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Someone has requested more pictures/information on the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (mentioned in my last update), so I have decided to dedicate an entry to the future attraction.

Name: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Land: Tomorrowland
Opening Date: June 11, 2007
Based on: The 2003 PIXAR animated movie Finding Nemo
Story: Guests will get up close and personal with some of Nemo's most beloved characters, including (of course) Nemo, as the friends observe an underwater volcano.
Submarines: The attraction will use the same submarine vehicles as the now-defunct Submarine Voyage, although they have been given new names, numbers, and paint job. The new names are as followed: Nautilus, Scout, Voyager, Mariner, Seafarer, Explorer, Neptune, and Argonaut.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage fills the spot of another underwater themed Tomorrowland attraction, the well loved Submarine Voyage. Closed on September 9, 1998, the attraction was promised (by then-Disneyland president Paul Pressler, nonetheless) to open in 2003 as a new, updated version. Not surprisingly, though, 2003 came and went with no new submarine attraction.

Finally, much to the joy of Disneyland fans alike, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president Jay Rasulo announced on July 15, 2005 that a new attraction, named Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, would be built in the original attractions place.

Picture credits, in order: Disneyland.com, DAPs Magic, and chrisaustx.smugmug.com for the last two construction pictures.

Opening Date of "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" Announced

After months of anticipation, the opening date of the Finding Nemo submarine attraction has been announced: June 11. The attraction, located in Tomorrowland, is a modern twist on 1959's famed Submarine Voyage, which closed in 1998.

The Submarine Lagoon. Photo from Disney.