Hello everyone, and welcome to our next installment of the Lands of Disneyland! As you know, we have previously taken a look at Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, and New Orleans Square. As we continue our path clockwise around Disneyland, we next come to Frontierland! This land is located right next to New Orleans Square, and has a ton of activities for you to enjoy during your visit. Take a look at this list, and we’ll elaborate on these further on in our post also:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Big Thunder Ranch
- Fantasmic!
- Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Sailing Ship Columbia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The big name at Disneyland in Frontierland is probably Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. What is different about Disneyland is that Splash Mountain is located in Critter Country, a totally different land, and isn’t right next door to BTMRR like it is at Walt Disney World. Unfortunately for us, though, we weren’t able to experience that great ride because of this sign:
Big Thunder Ranch
We came strolling into Big Thunder Ranch one day during our trip, and had the best time. They had lasso’s for your kids to learn how to lasso, they had some of the great horses on display, along with other animals and birds, and while we were there, we ran into our friends, as you can see below — it was so cool because there was hardly anyone around, so we didn’t have to wait at all!
Fantasmic!
As you can tell by the map image below, Fantasmic is located right on the shore of the Rivers of America! However, just like at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the wait for the show is absolutely insane — in my opinion only, of course — so we didn’t see it. Mostly this is because you would have to get a seat around 5PM and wait for the show time, and I just felt like that was a waste of time. One year we will see Fantasmic, but it wasn’t this year…
Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
The Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition is of a similar nature to the one at Walt Disney World. Basically it’s a shooting arcade — it isn’t really our thing, so we didn’t take it in, but if you have young hunters or would-be hunters, I’m sure they would enjoy it!
Mark Twain Riverboat
The shot above was taken from the pilothouse (I think that’s the right term) of the Mark Twain Riverboat! It was great being able to go up there, although it was a little cramped with me, Sophie, and our boat captain up there!
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island is a great little getaway from the rest of Disneyland. Just like at the Magic Kingdom, access to the island is by way of raft, and it’s a lot of fun to head on over and relax some of the day away. Look for all the treasure at the Pirate’s Lair, and have fun finding all the passageways!
Sailing Ship Columbia
I really enjoy the Sailing Ship Columbia. When you board her deck, and get underway, it really feels as if you are back in the age when this ship was sailing around the world! That is part of what I love about Disney — his true love of history, and how he incorporates that into his parks so that they are so much more than just a place to ride rides.
In addition to all of these, Frontierland is also the home to the Golden Horseshoe, which, while it doesn’t still do Wally Boag’s show, is still a great photo opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up!
The story of Frontierland is so much more than a place to ride a roller coaster, or go looking for Pirate treasure, or pet some animals. The story of Frontierland really comes down to this quote, spoken by the great Walt Disney himself, on the day of Disneyland’s opening on July 17, 1955:
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.
Thank you for stopping by as we take a look at Frontierland, one of the Lands of Disneyland!
