Changes

Frontierland opened with the rest of the [[Magic Kingdom]] on October 1, 1971. The land was is themed to represent a boom town in the American Old West, and it was set . Located on the Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America. Originally, Frontierland originally consisted of three attractions: the [[Frontierland Frontier Shootin' ArcadeGallery]], [[Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes]], and the [[Country Bear Jamboree]] <ref> http://inacents.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1971-WDW-Magic-Kingdom-Map.jpg </ref>. These attractions were joined by the Frontierland station for Station on the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] on May 1, 1972 <ref> http://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/attractions/opening-dates# </ref>.[[Image:FrontierlandBuildings.jpg|400px|thumb| A few of the buildings found in Frontierland]]Although it seemed sparse on opening day, Disney had big plans for Frontierland. Chief among these, was a plan to build Marc Davis' Western River Expedition. This large expansion of Frontierland would have consisted of numerous attractions for guests including: a Pueblo Village, hiking trails, and a "runaway mine train" attraction. Most importantly however, there was also to be a boat ride through the Old West attraction, that was designed to top the immensely popular [[Pirates of the Caribbean]]<ref> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2000/12/31/why-quot-western-river-quot-went-south-part-3.aspx </ref>.

Although it seemed sparse on opening day, Disney had big plans for Frontierland. Chief among these were their plans to build Marc Davis' Western River Expedition. This large expansion of Frontierland would have consisted of numerous attractions for guests including: a Pueblo Village, hiking trails, and a "runaway mine train" attraction. Most importantly however, there was also to be a boat ride through the Old West attraction that was designed to top the immensely popular [[Pirates of the Caribbean]] attraction <ref> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2000/12/31/why-quot-western-river-quot-went-south-part-3.aspx </ref>. Although Marc Davis' Western River Expedition never became a reality for numerous reasons (see [[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]]), on May 20, 1973 [[Tom Sawyer Island]] opened on the Rivers of America <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/may20.html </ref>. Based on the Mark Twain novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, the island is an “outdoor playground” where guests could can explore caves, cross wobbly bridges, and even follow rugged jungle trails. To get to the island , guests would climb aboard large wooden rafts in Frontierland and set sail across the river. [[Image:FrontierlandBuildings.jpg|300px|thumb| A few of the buildings found in Frontierland]]

Following the construction of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Frontierland once again remained essentially the same until the Frontierland Train Station was closed in 1990 , and moved in order to make room for Disney's newest thrill ride- [[Splash Mountain ]] <ref> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/frlrs1.htm </ref>. Based on the 1946 Disney Movie "Song of the South", on Splash Mountain guests follow the adventures of Brer Rabbit as he is chased and eventually captured by Brer Fox and Brer Bear. The climax of the attraction comes when guests plummet 52.5 feet down Chick-A-Pin-Hill and into the briar patch. Besides once again changing Frontierland's horizonlayout, Splash Mountain also expanded the land's theme <ref name="jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/06/splash_mountain_part_one_1.html </ref>. Unlike Big Thunder Mountain and the rest of Frontierland, Splash Mountain was set in the American South. In order to help bridge the thematic gap between Splash and Thunder Mountain, Imagineers used the newly constructed relocated Frontierland Railroad Station (which reopened in 1991) to serve as transition between the two <ref name= "jack"/>. Finally, on July 17, 1992 Splash Mountain opened to guests, although it was officially dedicated on October 2<ref> http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_splash.htm </ref>.  In 1994 one of Frontierland's original attractions, [[Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes]] closed to guests <ref> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/dcec.htm </ref>.

In 1994 one of Frontierland's original attractionsOn June 25, the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes closed 2020, Disney announced that [[Splash Mountain]] would be rethemed to guests a Princess and the Frog attraction. It is unclear at this time, when the renovation will take place <ref> httphttps://www.omniluxewdwmagic.netcom/wywattractions/dcecsplash-mountain/news/25jun2020-splash-mountain-to-be-rethemed-to-the-princess-and-the-frog.htm </ref>.

[[Image:FrontierlandThunderSplash.jpg|400px|thumb| Splash Mountain (left) and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (right) in Frontierland. Photo by Jennifer Lynn and Allsa Conte.]]'''[[Splash Mountain]]'''- A water flume ride located on Chick-A-Pin Hill. Splash Mountain takes guests on an adventure along with Brer Rabbit, ending in a 52.5 foot drop into the Briar Patch. Splash Mountain is based on the 1946 Disney movie "Song of the South".

'''[[Tom Sawyer Island]]'''- An island located on the Rivers of America. On Tom Sawyer Island guests can explore the caves, tunnels and forts, where Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn hang out. Based on the 1876 book “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain.

'''[[Frontierland Shootin' Arcade]]'''- An old fashion shooting gallery complete with info-red infared rifles.

'''[[Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes]]'''- On this attraction, guests could board small canoes and paddle around the Rivers of America. The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes operated from 1971 until 1994 <ref> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/dcec.htm </ref>==Entertainment=='''The Notorious Banjo Brothers and Bob''' This down home trio performs America and classic Disney songs<ref> https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/magic-kingdom/notorious-banjo-brothers-and-bob/ </ref>.

[[Image:Bills.jpg|400px|thumb| Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland. Photo by Michael Grey.]]'''[[Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe]]'''- Themed like an old west Old West inn, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café is a counter service restaurant specializing in Mexican food.

* "Texas" John Slaughter is the name of the Frontierland Trail Boss as seen on the sign hanging over the entrance to the general storeGeneral Store. Texas John Slaughter was a TV show produced by Disney from 1958 until 1961. The show was based on a real life Arizona state senator <ref> http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2015/05/01/texas-john-slaughter-trail-boss/ </ref>.