Frontierland

Frontierland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Disneyland-style parks run by Disney around the world. Themed to the American Frontier of the 19th century, Frontierlands are home to cowboys and pioneers, saloons, red rock buttes and gold rushes. To build an accurate depiction of an old-West town, Walt Disney sent a camera crew to Frontier Town, in North Hudson, NY, to film a movie that was used as the inspiration for Frontierland, as revealed in the book, "Frontier Town Then And Now."

For the closed theme park in Morecambe, England, see Frontierland, Morecambe. For the album by Ed Kuepper, see Frontierland (album).
Frontierland
Theme19th Century American Frontier, American History, Latin America
Disneyland
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 17, 1955 (1955-07-17)
Magic Kingdom
StatusOperating
OpenedOctober 1, 1971 (1971-10-01)
Tokyo Disneyland
StatusOperating
OpenedApril 15, 1983 (1983-04-15)
Disneyland Park (Paris)
StatusOperating
OpenedApril 12, 1992 (1992-04-12)
Hong Kong Disneyland
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 14, 2012 (2012-07-14)

Disneyland
Original dedication
Frontierland. It is here that we experience the story of our country's past. The color, romance and drama of frontier America as it developed from wilderness trails to roads, riverboats, railroads and civilization. A tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of our hearty pioneers who blaze the trails and made this progress possible.

—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

History

Frontierland first appeared in Disneyland as one of five original themed lands. Conceived by Walt Disney, the land did not initially contain many attractions, but centered on open expanses of wilderness which could be traversed by guests via stagecoach, pack mules, Conestoga wagon, and walking trails. The Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland opened in 1960, consisting of a sedate train ride around various western landscape dioramas. The Mine Train closed in 1977 to make way for a new attraction; the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which opened in 1979.

Disneyland's Frontierland gateway is constructed of ponderosa pine logs. The land's long shoreline along the Rivers of America is considered a prime viewing location for the nighttime Fantasmic! show. The docks to both the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia, (a replica of American explorer Robert Gray's 18th century ship that circumnavigated the globe) are located here, and Tom Sawyer Island in the river's center is also considered a property of Frontierland

On the roof of the Westward Ho Trading Co., there are elk or deer antlers. Elk antlers were commonly placed on general stores in the old west so cowboys coming into town immediately knew where to get supplies. Also in Frontierland is a building that has a large sign that says "Laod Bhang Co. Fireworks Factory". Plus, at the storefront marked "Crockett and Russel Hat Co.", there is a window honoring Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett in Walt Disney's Davy Crockett. Frontierland borders Fantasyland (via the Big Thunder Trail), New Orleans Square and Adventureland, and connects to the Central Plaza through an iconic set of fort-style gates.

Attractions and entertainment

Former attractions and entertainment
  • American Rifle Exhibit & Frontier Gun Shop (1956–1986)
  • Big Thunder Ranch (1986–1996, 2005–2016)
  • Burning Settler's Cabin (1956–2003)
  • Ceremonial Dance Circle (1955–1971)
  • Conestoga Wagons (1955–1959)
  • Davy Crockett Arcade (1955–1987)
  • Davy Crockett Frontier Museum (1955)
  • Dixieland Band Stand (1955–1961)
  • El Zocalo (1958–1963)
  • Festival of Fools (1996–1998)
  • Fort Wilderness (1956–2003)[7]
  • Indian Village (1955–1971)
  • Little Patch of Heaven Petting Farm (2004–2005)
  • Marshal's Office (1955–1956)
  • Mexican Village (1957–1964)
  • Mike Fink Keel Boats (1955–1997)
  • Mineral Hall (1956–1962)
  • Miniature Horse Corral (1955–1957)
  • Nature's Wonderland (1960–1977)
  • Painted Desert (1955–1959)
  • Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (1956–1960)
  • Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules (1955–1973)
  • Santa's Reindeer Round-Up (2005–2007) Seasonal
  • Stagecoach Ride (1955–1959)
  • Woody's Roundup (1999–2000)

Restaurants and refreshments

Former restaurants and refreshments
  • Aunt Jemima's Kitchen (1962–1970, 1975–2003)
  • Aunt Jemima's Pancake House (1955–1962)
  • Casa de Fritos (1955–1982)
  • Casa Mexicana (1982–2001)
  • Chicken Plantation (1955–1962)
  • Magnolia Tree Terrace (1970–1971)
  • McDonald's Conestoga Fries (1998–2007)
  • New Orleans Barbecue (1956–1957)
  • Oaks Tavern (1956–1978)
  • Silver Banjo Barbecue (1957–1961)

Shops
  • Bonanza Outfitters
  • Westward Ho Trading Company
  • Pioneer Mercantile
  • Silver Spur

Former shops
  • Frontier Trading Post (1955–1987)
  • Pendleton Woolen Mills Dry Goods Store (1955–1990)
  • Malt Shop & Cone Shop (1958–1970)
  • Quasimodo's Attic (1996–1997)

Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain
See also: List of Magic Kingdom attractions

Frontierland at Walt Disney World debuted with only three attractions: the Walt Disney World Railroad station, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (which operated until 1994) and the world debut of the Country Bear Jamboree. Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1973. The northwestern end of the park was supposed to receive a massive, pavilion-style "E ticket" attraction, which was never built. The area sat empty until Big Thunder Mountain Railroad premiered in 1980.

Few changes would be made until 1991, when Splash Mountain was built on the vacant land between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Walt Disney World Railroad station and parade access road, necessitating the relocation of the railroad's station. Splash Mountain and a new two-story railroad station opened in October 2, 1992. Frontierland borders Adventureland on the south, Liberty Square on the east, and the Rivers of America on the north.

On June 25 2020, Disney announced that they will be reworking Splash Mountain to a new ride, based on the 2009 animated film, The Princess and the Frog. The project had been in discussion since 2019 and is being overseen by Walt Disney Imagineer Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter with Splash Mountain's original creator Tony Baxter serving as a creative adviser.[8][9]

Attractions and entertainment

Restaurants and refreshments
  • Diamond Horseshoe
  • Golden Oak Outpost
  • Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café
  • Westward Ho

Shops
  • Big Al's
  • Briar Patch
  • Frontier Trading Post
  • Prairie Outpost and Supply

Tokyo Disneyland
See also: List of Tokyo Disneyland attractions
Big Thunder Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland's instance is known as Westernland, as "frontier" does not adequately translate into the Japanese language. The Mark Twain sails this park's Rivers of America. Other than differences in placement, and minor variations in color, theming and name, the land is very similar to the Frontierland and Liberty Square areas of the Magic Kingdom.

Attractions and entertainment

Former attractions and entertainment
  • Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes (1983-1992)
  • Super-Duper Jumpin' Time (2005-2018)
  • Pecos Goofy's Frontier Revue

Restaurants and refreshments
  • Plaza Pavilion Restaurant
  • Slue-Foot Sue's Diamond Horseshoe
  • Pecos Bill Cafe
  • Hungry Bear Restaurant
  • Camp Woodchuck Kitchen
  • The Canteen
  • Chuck Wagon

Shops
  • Frontier Woodcraft
  • Western Wear
  • General Store
  • Westernland Picture Parlour
  • Trading Post
  • Country Bear Bandwagon

Disneyland Park (Paris)

Located in the area that is traditionally occupied by Adventureland, Frontierland at Disneyland Park opened with Euro Disneyland in 1992. Unlike all of the other instances, this instance has an elaborate backstory concerning the town of Thunder Mesa, founded by Henry Ravenswood to support the mining of Big Thunder Mountain. This backstory also serves as the foundation for several of the attractions, such as Phantom Manor, a version of the popular Haunted Mansion attraction that can be found at some of the other parks featuring a Western theme and a darker tone to fit in with the rest of Frontierland. The land is the largest of all of the Frontierlands thus far, containing the entire Rivers of the Far West within its borders.

Two riverboats circle the river here, the Molly Brown and the Mark Twain. Critter Corral was an old area of the land converted into Woody Roundup, a meet and greet area with Woody from Toy Story and Jessie from Toy Story 2. It was later rethemed into an Arendelle market for the Frozen Fun season and is currently used as a special meet and greet environment for the Signature Experience in the Lion King and Jungle Festival. The land is converted into 'Halloweenland' in October, with many pumpkins and other scary characters lurking around every corner. Frontierland borders Adventureland and the Central Plaza of Main Street USA via Fort Comstock.

In October 2008, for the first time in Disney history Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas made appearances as meet and greet characters in Halloween and Christmas overlay. They were situated outside Phantom Manor.

Attractions and entertainment

Former attractions and entertainment

Restaurants and refreshments
  • The Lucky Nugget Saloon
  • Last Chance Café
  • Silver Spur Steakhouse
  • Fuente Del Oro Restaurante
  • Cowboy Cookout Barbecue

Shops
  • Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building
    • Tobias Norton & Sons
    • Bonanza Outfitters
    • Eureka Mining Supplies
  • Big Thunder Photographer

Hong Kong Disneyland
Big Grizzly Mountain at Hong Kong Disneyland

In 2012, Grizzly Gulch (Cantonese: 灰熊山谷) opened as the park's equivalent to Frontierland. Grizzly Gulch is much smaller compared to the "Frontierlands" of other Disney Parks, featuring only one ride, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. This roller coaster attraction provides a cross between the Big Thunder Mountain Railroads of the classic Frontierlands with elements from Expedition Everest, featuring special ride elements unique to this attraction, including backwards portions, and a high speed launch section.

Grizzly Gulch is themed as a Northern California mining town established on August 8, 1888, a founding date chosen as "the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year". Though geyser fields disrupted the initial settlements, the town eventually found success when a family of bears lead one of the prospectors to a bountiful gold find, resulting in the establishment of the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company. The bears were declared as being a lucky charm for the town and were given protected status, despite their activity occasionally disrupting work in the mines.

Attractions and entertainment

Restaurants and refreshments
  • Lucky Nugget Saloon

Shops
  • Bear Necessities

References
  1. "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  2. "Frontierland Shootin' Exposition". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  3. "Mark Twain Riverboat". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  4. "Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  5. "Sailing Ship Columbia". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  6. "Fantasmic!". Disneyland. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  7. Apple, Charles (March 14, 2014). "Disney history: Pirates of the Caribbean opens" (PDF). The Orange County Register. p. News 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  8. "New Adventures with Princess Tiana Coming to Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  9. "Disneyland and Disney World to remake Splash Mountain with 'Princess and the Frog' theme". Orange County Register. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  10. "Woody's Roundup no more as Meet Mickey makes temporary Cottonwood Creek home".
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