Difference between revisions of "Frontierland"

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Frontierland is a land in the Magic Kingdom.

Frontierland
Splash Mountain, one of the the most popular rides in Frontierland
Theme	American Old West
Opening date	October 1st, 1971
Number of attractions	6

History

Frontierland opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Originally Frontierland consisted of four attractions, The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, The Walt Disney World Railroad and The Country Bear Jamboree. The land was themed like a boom town in the American Old West. The land also sat on the Rivers of America, where guests could board and row the Davy Crockett Canoes. In 1973 Tom Sawyers Island opened. Located on the Rivers of America, the island was an “outdoor playground” where guests could explore caves, cross wobbly bridges, and even follow rugged jungle trails. To get to the island guests were able to climb aboard large wooden rafts in Frontierland. Tom Sawyer's Island was based on the Mark Twain novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”.

Frontierland remained mostly unchanged until 1980 when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was built. Thunder Mountain was Frontierland's first “roller-coaster”, and gave the land its first thrill ride. Thunder Mountain allows guests to board a runaway train which will speed past scenes set in an old west mining town. No major changes occurred again until 1993 when Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes closed. In 1994, Frontierland was once again seeing major changes. Chick-A-Pin Hill was built, housing a new thrill ride, Splash Mountain. The back story for the hill stated that the damn had broken and now and thus there was a five story waterfall. This new log flume ride was based on the 1946 Disney movie Song of the South. Splash Mountain follows the adventures of the movies main character, Brer Rabbit and ends with guest plunging 52 feet into the Briar Patch. Both Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain proved to be extremely popular, and their additions made Frontierland one of the most popular lands in the Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

Splash Mountain- A water flume ride located on Chick-A-Pill Hill. This Flume ride takes guests on an adventure along with Brer Rabbit ending in a 53 foot drop into the Briar Patch. Splash Mountain is based on the 1946 Disney movie Song of the South.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- Is runaway-train themed wooden roller coaster. Thunder Mountain takes guests through the gold mining, Old West town of Tumbleweed.

The Country Bear Jamboree- Join the talented cast of 18 musically-inclined bears as they perform continuous 17-minute shows featuring country music-style classics—to the delight of fans big and small. The rustic review is infused with a down-home sensibility that includes plenty of great music, broad humor and a few unexpected surprises.

Tom Sawyer's Island- Is an island located on the Rivers of America. On Tom Sawyer's Island guests can explore the caves, tunnels and forts, where Tom and Huck Finn hang out. Based on the 1876 novel by Mark Twain.

Walt Disney World Railroad- Lets guests take a steam powered train around Walt Disney World with stops at Main Street USA, Frontierland, and Fantasyland.

Frontierland Shootin' Arcade- Is an old fashion shooting gallery, complete with info-red rifles.

Past Attractions

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes- Were small canoes guests could paddle around the Rivers of America in teams.

Dining

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe- A counter service restaurant specializing in Hamburgers. Themed after an old west inn.

Westward Ho!- A refreshment stand selling hot and cold drinks.

Golden Oak Outpost- A small counter service restaurant located between Adventureland and Frontierland. The Outpost specializes in chicken edibles.

The Diamond Horseshoe- A Western-themed restaurant which serves sandwiches and salads for lunch and an all you can eat buffet for dinner. This restaurant is open seasonally and located in between the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade and the Liberty Tree Tavern.

Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn- Located on Tom Sawyer's Island, Aunt Polly's offers explorers sandwiches, ice cream and refreshment.

Shopping

Big Al's- Located across from the Country Bear Jamboree. Big Al's sells Old West themed merchandise.

Frontierland Trading Post- Located next door to the Country Bear Jamboree. The Frontierland Trading Post is a large, Old West themed store selling all Old West Merchandise and all kinds of pins.

Prairie Outpost and Supply- Located next to Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, the Prairie Outpost and Supply is a shop which sells various candy and sweets.

The Briar Patch- A shop located at the exit of Splash Mountain. Specializing in Splash Mountain and Song of the South merchandise.

Splashdown Photos- Located at the exit of Splash Mountain that sells photos of guests on Splash Mountain and photo merchandise.

Characters

Big Al- This Country Bear can be found on a rare occasion in Frontierland. (Rare)

Liverlips- Another Country Bear who can be seen from time to time in Frontierland. (Uncommon)

Shaker- A rare Country Bear who can be seen in Frontierland. Previously he could be seen in the Fronteirland Hoedown. (Rare)

Wendell- This pickin' Country Bear can be seen in Frontierland every once and a while. Previously he could be seen in the Fronteirland Hoedown. (Rare)

Woody- Woody can be near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on most days. (Common)

Jesse- Jesse usually joins Woody outside Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. (Common)

Horace Horsecollar- Horace can sometimes be seen in Frontierland especially during the Frontierland Hoedown. (Uncommon)

Clarabelle Cow- Clarabelle can sometimes be seen in Frontierland with Horace, she also appears in the Frontierland Hoedown. (Uncommon)

Fun Facts and Trivia

• In November 1990, in order to make room for Splash Mountain, the Walt Disney World Railroad's Frontierland train station was entirely demolished. Frontierland's new station, which was built as part of Splash Mountain, opened in December 1991.

• "Texas" John Slaughter is the name of the Frontierland Trail Boss, as seen on the sign hanging over the entrance to the store.

• You can find the Fronteirland Marshall keeping' the peace daily in Frontierland, as well as Prospector "Gold Dust Gus" at various times throughout the day. These character actors seamlessly blend into the theme of the land, and gladly interact with guests in improvisational acts.

• At one time their was a plan for a massive renovation to Fronteirland. A large complex was to be built called "Thunder Mesa." The Complex would have housed three new attractions and would have been built where Thunder Mountain is today. One of the rides built was to be a "Pirates of the Caribbean" like ride, but set in the Wild West.

• Another ride idea for "Thunder Mesa" was a runaway train ride which Fronteirland would eventually get with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Other ideas for Thunder Mesa included donkey rides and a hiking trail.

References

http://www.guide-to-disney.com/magic-kingdom/frontierland

http://www.waltdisneyworld.com

http://www.wdwradio.com/Frontierland/Frontierland-Trivia.html