Frontierland

History

    Located In The Northwest Corner of the park, Frontierland allows guests to visit the wild west. Featuring many old west styled buildings, including the  Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, and the Frontierland Trading Post. Frontierland  hosts some of the Magic Kingdom's biggest thrill rides, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Also included in  Frontierland is the original Country Bear Jamboree, and the Walt Disney Railroad. From Frontierland you can also board rafts and cross the rivers of America, to Tom Sawyers Island. 

    When the Magic Kingdom opened, Frontierland consisted of The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes  and The Country Bear Jamboree. In 1973 Tom Sawyers Island opened, and guests could no get on rafts from Frontierland to go there.  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.  By 1994 two major changes had accord in Frontierland. Frontierland's second thrill ride was built, Splash Mountain. Themed after the 1946 Disney movie, Song of the South, Splash Mountain took guests through the story of Brer Rabbit and eventually down a 5 story drop. In 1993, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes closed.

Attractions

Current Attractions

Splash Mountain- A water flume ride that takes guests along with Brer Rabbit through scenes from the 1946 Disney movie, Song of the South, ending in a 53 foot drop into the Briar Patch.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- A runaway train themed roller coaster, which 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 Sawyers Island- Take a short raft ride across the Rivers of America, and explore caves, tunnels and forts, where Tom and Huck Finn hang out. Based on the 1876 novel by Mark Twain.

Walt Disney World Railroad- Take a steam powered train around Walt Disney World with stops at Main Street USA, Frontierland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair.

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

Past Attractions

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

Dining

Pecos Bill's Tall Tale in 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 Mcdonalds stand specializing in French Fries. Also sells chicken nuggets.

Shopping

Big Al's- Sells Old West themed merchandise.

Frontierland Trading Post- A old west themed store selling all kinds of pins and pin merchandise.

Prairie Outpost and Supply- A large shopping complex selling old west, native American, and Mexican themed merchandise.

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 sells photos of guests on Splash Mountain and photo merchandise.

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 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.

References

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

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