From Dominick D on October 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Just watched Disneylands on you tube. MK's beats it by a longshot!

From Don Lancaster on October 13, 2011 at 11:32 AM
WDW's version is my favorite. I especially enjoyed the caves on these islands when I was a kid, and if I'm not mistaken, the WDW version has 2 caves, verses 1 at DL..

These days, both islands make me a bit sad. Walt's original idea for Tom Sawyer island was to make it a place where kids could play, climb and explore. I was lucky enough to visit the DL version when I was 8. It was a little boys dream. There were rocks to climb, a cave to explore and all sorts of adventure to be had.

Much of that is still there, but what makes me sad is what the lawyers have done to the place. Any place where a kid might possibly fall and scrap his knee has either been blocked off, removed or made "safe" by adding paths, stairs and warning signs. Gone is the sense of climbing and exploration. It all feels so controlled now.

From TH Creative on October 13, 2011 at 11:42 AM
(AHEM!) Mr. Niles, I am noticing that you are conspicuous in your failure to pit another east west Disney attraction in a head to head match-up. >:o(

From 50.37.4.210 on October 13, 2011 at 4:46 PM
I like DLR! The Pirates overlay at DLR is quite good and meets with the needs of the new generations with it's interactive events in the cave. It also has the capacity to meet with Captain Jack Sparrow and other pirates while visiting the island. It is also really fun to attempt to bring up the treasure with a physical wheel that never quite works the way you want! I also love to look out onto the Rivers of America and see the canoes which WDW does not have. There is definitely more to do at DLR.

From Randall Peek on October 14, 2011 at 12:19 AM
I spent a lot of hours on Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland when I was growing up. I loved the caves, the feeling of being miles away from the hustle and bustle of the park. As I grew older, I still visited it and loved the scenic beauty of it, plus little things like walking across the barrel bridge, or seeing kids climbing up into the small treehouse there.
When I saw Fantasmic! being performed for the first time, I was floored by how they had converted the front part of the island into s stage, and one that still works beautifully as part of the daytime operation of the island. I mean, what a wonderful use of limited space and resources! The nightly repurposing of the island and the watercraft is nothing short of magical.
So, if there was any doubt, Disneyland gets my vote.