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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 along with some influence from American history and North America in general. It is named Westernland at Tokyo Disneyland and Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland.
 | |
| Theme | 19th Century American Frontier, American History, North America and Latin America |
|---|---|
| Disneyland | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | July 17, 1955 |
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | October 1, 1971 |
| Tokyo Disneyland (As Westernland) | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | April 15, 1983 |
| Disneyland Paris | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | April 12, 1992 |
| Hong Kong Disneyland (As Grizzly Gulch) | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | July 14, 2012 |
To build an accurate depiction of an old-West town, Walt Disney sent a camera crew to Frontier Town, in North Hudson, New York, to film a movie that was used as the inspiration for Frontierland, as revealed in the book, "Frontier Town Then And Now."
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.[1] Initiated by Walt Disney, in the beginning, the land contained few attractions, but centered on open expanses of wilderness which guests traveled through by stagecoach, pack mules, Conestoga wagon, and walking trails.[citation needed] The Mine Train Through 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.[citation needed]
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
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1979–present)[2]
- Frontierland Shootin' Arcade[3]
- Rivers of America
- Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
- Mark Twain Riverboat (1955–present)[4]
- Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (1956–present)[5]
- Sailing Ship Columbia (1958–present)[6]
- Fantasmic! (1992–2016, 2017–2023, 2024–present)[7]
- The Heartbeat of New Orleans — A Living Mural (September 29, 2023–present)
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)[8]
- Indian Village (1955–1971)
- Little Patch of Heaven Petting Farm (2004–2005)
- Marshal's Office (1955–1956)
- Mexican Village (1957–1964)
- Rivers of America
- 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
- Golden Horseshoe Saloon
- Stage Door Cafe
- Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
- River Belle Terrace
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)
Frontierland at Magic Kingdom debuted with 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 (which was permanently closed in 2024 to make way for Country Bear Musical 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, based on the animated sequences from Disney's 1946 film Song of the South, 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 on October 2, 1992. Frontierland borders Adventureland on the south, Liberty Square on the east, and the Rivers of America on the north.
In June 2020, Disney announced that they would be reworking Splash Mountain into a new ride, based on the 2009 animated film, The Princess and the Frog. Disney stated that the project had been in development since 2019 and was overseen by Walt Disney Imagineer Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter while Splash Mountain's original creator Tony Baxter returned as a creative adviser.[9][10] Splash Mountain closed on January 23, 2023.[11] Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opened on June 28, 2024.[12]
On June 13, 2024, Disney announced that Magic Kingdom version of Frontierland Shootin' Arcade would permanently close on June 23, 2024 to make way for a new Disney Vacation Club Member lounge, McKim's Mile House, which will be open in Summer 2025.[13][14]
At D23 Expo 2024, plans were unveiled for a Cars sub-area focused around off-road adventures in a new portion of the Cars universe's American wilderness, which is set to replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America.[15][16]
Attractions and entertainment
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1980—present)
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure (2024—present)
- Rivers of America
- Tom Sawyer Island (1973—present)
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree (2024–present) [17]
- Disney Vacation Club lounge (Opening in Summer 2025)
Former attractions and entertainment
- Country Bear Jamboree (1971–1986, 1992–2012, 2012–2024)
- Rivers of America
- Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (1971—1994)
- Splash Mountain (1992—2023)
- Frontierland Shootin' Arcade (1971–2024)
Restaurants and refreshments
- Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn
- Westward Ho
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Golden Outpost
- Aunt Polly's
Former restaurants and refreshments
- The Long Mile Bar
Shops
- Big Al’s
- Frontierland Mercantile
- Critter Co-Op
- Tiana’s Bayou General
Former shops
- Briar Patch
- Prairie Outpost and Supply
- Splashdown Photos
- Frontierland Woodcarving Shop (replaced with DVC Kiosk)
- Trail Creek Traders Hat Shop
Tokyo Disneyland's area 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
- Big Thunder Mountain (1987–present)
- Country Bear Theater (1983–present)
- Jingle Bell Jamboree (1988–present; seasonals)
- Vacation Jamboree (1994–present; seasonals)
- Horseshoe Roundup
- Rivers of America
- Mark Twain Riverboat (1983–present)
- Tom Sawyer Island Rafts (1983–present)
- The Diamond Variety Muster
- Westernland Shootin' Gallery
Former attractions and entertainment
- Rivers of America
- Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes (1983-1992)
- Plaza Pavilion Bandstand
- Swing & Sing (1984-1998)
- Plaza Stomp (1989-1990)
- Plaza Playtime (1991-1995)
- Funderful Wonderful Friends (1995-1998)
- Jazz Magic Bandstand (daytime show) (1997)
- Moonlight Memory (nighttime show) (1997)
- Super-Duper Jumpin' Time (2005-2018)
- Lucky Nugget Stage (1987-2015)
- Lucky Nugget Stampede (1991-1993)
- Kickin' Country (1997-2000)
- Goldtown Follies (2000-2001)
- Happy Halloween Amigos! (2014)
- Pecos Goofy's Frontier Revue
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- The Diamond Horseshoe Presents "Mickey & Company"
- Wild West Chance (2016-2018)[18][19]
- Roundup and Play (2016-2018)[18][19]
Restaurants and refreshments
- Cowboy Cookhouse[20]
- Camp Woodchuck Kitchen
- Hungry Bear Restaurant
- Plaza Pavilion Restaurant
- Pecos Bill Cafe
- The Diamond Horseshoe
Former Restaurants and refreshments
Shops
- Frontier Woodcraft
- Western Wear
- General Store
- Westernland Picture Parlour
- Trading Post
- Country Bear Bandwagon
- Happy Camper Supplies[22]
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 and can be boarded at the Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. Critter Corral was an old area of the land converted into Woody Roundup, a meet and greet area with Woody from Toy Story along with Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story 2. On the shores of the Rivers of the Far West is Frontierland Playground (formerly named Pocahontas Indian Village), a children’s playground themed to resemble a traditional Native American village. [23] 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, U.S.A. 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 are situated outside Phantom Manor.
Attractions and entertainment
- Rivers of America
- Big Thunder Mountain (1992–present)
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing (1992–present)
- Disneyland Railroad - Frontierland Depot (1992–present)
- Legends of the Wild West (1993–present)
- Phantom Manor (1992-2018 and 2019–present)
- Frontierland Playground (formerly Pocahontas Indian Village)
- Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery
- The Lucky Nugget Orchestra
Former attractions and entertainment
- Critter Corral (1992–2006)
- The Chaparral Theater
- Pocahontas le Spectacle
- Tarzan: The Encounter
- Mickey's Winter Wonderland
- Goofy Summer Camp
- "La Forêt de l'Enchantement: Une aventure musicale Disney"
- "Frozen Sing-Along”
- Woodcarver's Workshop
- Frontierland Theater
- Rivers of America
- Woody's Roundup Village
- Meet Mickey Mouse (Temporary)[24]
- River Keel Boats
Restaurants and refreshments
- The Lucky Nugget Saloon
- Last Chance Café
- Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
- Silver Spur Steakhouse
- Casa de Coco - Restaurante de Familia
- Cowboy Cookout Barbecue
Shops
- Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building
- Tobias Norton & Sons
- Bonanza Outfitters
- Eureka Mining Supplies
- Big Thunder Photographer
- Pueblo Trading Post
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.
Grizzly Gulch
Attractions and entertainment
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (2012–present)
- Geyser Gulch
- Welcome Wagon Show
- Wild West Photo Fun
Restaurants and refreshments
- Lucky Nugget Saloon
Shops
- Bear Necessities
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