Most guests skip Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, but this overlooked Disneyland spot offers one of the park’s most unique adventures.

Across the Rivers of America, away from the bustle of New Orleans Square and the echo of cannon fire from Pirates of the Caribbean, sits one of Disneyland’s most underrated spaces: Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.

It’s not flashy, it doesn’t have a Lightning Lane, and it won’t show up on most experts’ “must-do” lists. But for those who take the time to ride the raft across, it’s a glimpse into what makes Disneyland truly magical a place where imagination and exploration still matter.

As a frequent Disneyland visitor over the last three decades, I’ve spent plenty of time over on Tom Sawyer Island. Once I became a teenager (and the island underwent its 2007 revamp and renaming), I stopped visiting. However, now that I visit the park with a toddler in tow, I’ve rediscovered this space… and have a whole new appreciation for what it offers.

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Is Home to Plenty of Disneyland History

An iconic destination right in the heart of Disneyland, Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is a central piece of the park’s history. Pirate’s Lair was originally brought to life in 1956 as Tom Sawyer Island, and it was one of the few attractions personally designed and envisioned by Walt Disney himself. He wanted to give guests, especially children, a place to run free, explore, and discover their own adventures.

From its earliest days, there wasn’t much excitement happening on Tom Sawyer Island, at least not compared to the thrilling attractions, innovative Audio-Animatronics, and storytelling happening elsewhere in the park. Rather, here guests found caves, trails, and bridges that brought author Mark Twain’s stories to life. But there was no prewritten story to follow; instead, they were responsible for creating their own.

Guests could wander through Injun Joe’s Cave, climb to the top of Castle Rock, and explore the riverbanks. It was a living playground that embodied Walt’s vision of Disneyland as a place where parents and children could have fun together.

Over time, Tom Sawyer Island did change. Aspects of the island have been removed (like the rifles that once existed at Fort Wilderness and the stairs leading up to Tom & Huck’s Tree House) or altered (Harper’s Mill has been rethemed to Lafitte’s Tavern to suit the pirate theme).

In 2007, with the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, Tom Sawyer Island was reimagined as Pirate’s Lair, blending the original theming with touches inspired by the blockbuster series. The new storyline introduced Captain Jack Sparrow and buried treasure, but the heart of the island the sense of exploration and play remained.

Here, Guests Can Touch, Play, and Engage With the Park

Today, the island is one of the few places in Disneyland where guests can truly choose their own adventure. There’s no queue, no ride vehicle, and no strict path to follow. You can climb rickety rope bridges that sway with every step, crawl through tunnels lit by flickering lanterns, or peer into eerie caves filled with pirate skeletons and glittering gold.

The level of detail is classic Disney a treasure chest here, a skeletal hand clutching a cutlass there, and the occasional ghostly sound effect echoing through the caverns. It’s part playground, part storybook, and part time capsule.

The island encourages a kind of hands-on engagement that’s rare in theme parks today. Kids can climb and crawl, while adults can rediscover the joy of exploring without an itinerary. It’s the type of experience that doesn’t just entertain; it invites you to play.

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Is a Perfect Playground for Kids and Adults

For families, Pirate’s Lair is a dream come true. Kids can burn off energy in a way that few Disney attractions allow. I liken it to Mickey’s Toontown, but with more for adults to explore. While Toontown can be chaotic and packed, this island rarely sees crowds. And it’s less stimulating, too.

Here, there are multiple ways to interact, particularly for school-aged kids. There are tunnels to crawl through, treasures to find, and bridges to conquer. It’s home to interactive play, the kind that sparks storytelling and imagination.

Adults will likely find themselves enjoying it just as much, especially those who grew up visiting Disneyland before it became dominated by screens and smartphones. There’s something nostalgic about the freedom to explore without a map or schedule. And even if you aren’t sure you fit comfortably inside the tunnels (trust me, you’ll be fine!), there are plenty of ways to enjoy the island’s sights including catching ships like the Mark Twain sailing by regardless of your age.

Pirate’s Lair Isn’t Thrilling, But It Is Magical

Sure, there are no fast-flying roller coasters or high-tech attractions found here. Rather, what makes Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island truly special is that it still carries the spirit of Walt Disney’s original park. While the pirates may be a more modern overlay, the bones of the island its layout, its focus on imaginative play and self-guided exploration remain the same as they were nearly 70 years ago.

It’s one of the last places where guests can connect with Disneyland as it once was. When you cross that river, you’re stepping into a living piece of history, one that still feels fresh and relevant because it offers something the rest of the park increasingly doesn’t: freedom and no lines.

Most guests never make it to Pirate’s Lair. But the next time you’re in New Orleans Square and see that quiet little dock with a raft waiting, I recommend taking the trip across. You’ll find treasure there. Yes, some of it is in the form of faux gold or jewels, but you’ll also discover the kind of Disney magic that’s easy to miss and impossible to forget.