Frontierland facts for kids
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| Theme | 19th Century American Frontier, American History and North America |
|---|---|
| Disneyland | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | July 17, 1955 |
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | October 1, 1971 |
| Tokyo Disneyland | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | April 15, 1983 |
| Disneyland Paris | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | April 12, 1992 |
| Hong Kong Disneyland | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | July 14, 2012 |
Frontierland is a special part of many Disneyland-style parks around the world. It's like stepping back in time to the 1800s in the American West. Here, you can find cowboys, pioneers, old-fashioned saloons, and even places that look like red rock buttes.
The idea for Frontierland came from Walt Disney himself. He wanted to show the exciting history of America's past. To make it look real, a film crew even visited a place called Frontier Town in New York. This helped inspire the design of Frontierland.
In some parks, Frontierland has different names. At Tokyo Disneyland, it's called Westernland. At Hong Kong Disneyland, it's known as Grizzly Gulch.
Disneyland Park: The Original Frontierland
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.
Disneyland's History and Theme
Frontierland first opened at Disneyland in California in 1955. It was one of the park's first five themed areas. At first, it had wide-open spaces and trails. Guests could explore by stagecoach, pack mules, or even Conestoga wagons.
A popular ride called the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland opened in 1960. It took guests on a calm train ride through Western scenes. This ride later closed to make way for the exciting Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which opened in 1979.
The entrance to Disneyland's Frontierland is made of large ponderosa pine logs. The area also has a long shoreline along the Rivers of America. This is a great spot to watch the nighttime show called Fantasmic!. You can also find docks for the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia here. Tom Sawyer Island, in the middle of the river, is also part of Frontierland.
Rides and Fun at Disneyland
Frontierland at Disneyland offers several exciting attractions:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (since 1979)
- Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
- Mark Twain Riverboat (since 1955)
- Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (since 1956)
- Sailing Ship Columbia (since 1958)
- Fantasmic! (since 1992)
Places to Eat and Shop
You can grab a bite to eat at places like:
- The Golden Horseshoe Cafe
- Stage Door Cafe
- Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
- River Belle Terrace
For souvenirs and gifts, check out:
- Bonanza Outfitters
- Westward Ho Trading Company
- Pioneer Mercantile
- Silver Spur
Magic Kingdom: Florida's Frontierland
Frontierland at Walt Disney World in Florida opened in 1971. It started with a few attractions, including the Walt Disney World Railroad station and the Country Bear Jamboree. Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1973.
The famous Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride premiered here in 1980. Later, in 1992, the popular Splash Mountain ride was built. This ride is now being updated to a new adventure based on the movie The Princess and the Frog, called Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
Frontierland in Magic Kingdom is next to Adventureland and Liberty Square. It also borders the Rivers of America.
Attractions and Entertainment in Florida
Here are some of the main attractions you can enjoy:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (since 1980)
- Country Bear Jamboree (since 1971)
- Splash Mountain (since 1992)
- Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
- Frontierland Hoedown Happening
- Tom Sawyer Island (since 1973)
- Walt Disney World Railroad (since 1971)
New Adventures Coming Soon
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure (Opening in 2024)
Dining and Shopping in Florida
You can find food at:
- Diamond Horseshoe
- Golden Oak Outpost
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café
- Westward Ho
And shops like:
- Big Al's
- Briar Patch
- Frontier Trading Post
- Prairie Outpost and Supply
Tokyo Disneyland: Westernland
At Tokyo Disneyland, this themed area is called Westernland. The word "frontier" doesn't translate well into Japanese, so they chose "Westernland" instead.
This land is very similar to the Frontierland and Liberty Square areas in Florida's Magic Kingdom. The Mark Twain riverboat also sails on the Rivers of America here.
Rides and Shows in Tokyo
Some of the fun things to do in Westernland include:
- Big Thunder Mountain (since 1987)
- Country Bear Theater (since 1983)
- Horseshoe Roundup
- Mark Twain Riverboat (since 1983)
- The Diamond Horseshoe Presents "Mickey & Company"
- Tom Sawyer Island Rafts (since 1983)
- Westernland Shootin' Gallery
Places to Eat and Shop in Tokyo
You can eat at:
- Cowboy Cookhouse
- Camp Woodchuck Kitchen
- Hungry Bear Restaurant
- Plaza Pavilion Restaurant
- Pecos Bill Cafe
- The Diamond Horseshoe
And find shops like:
- Frontier Woodcraft
- Western Wear
- General Store
- Westernland Picture Parlour
- Trading Post
- Country Bear Bandwagon
- Happy Camper Supplies
Disneyland Park (Paris): Thunder Mesa
Frontierland at Disneyland Park opened in 1992. This version is unique because it has a detailed story about a town called Thunder Mesa. This town was founded to support mining at Big Thunder Mountain.
This story also connects to other attractions, like Phantom Manor. This is a spooky mansion ride with a Western theme, fitting the darker tone of this Frontierland. It's the largest Frontierland of all the Disney parks.
Two riverboats, the Molly Brown and the Mark Twain, sail on the Rivers of the Far West here. In October, the land transforms into 'Halloweenland' with pumpkins and spooky characters.
Attractions and Entertainment in Paris
Here are some of the main attractions:
- Big Thunder Mountain (since 1992)
- Frontierland Theater
- The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands
- Disneyland Railroad - Frontierland Depot (since 1992)
- Legends of the Wild West (since 1993)
- Phantom Manor (since 1992)
- Frontierland Playground (formerly Pocahontas Indian Village)
- Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing (since 1992)
- The Lucky Nugget Orchestra
Dining and Shopping in Paris
You can eat at:
- The Lucky Nugget Saloon
- Last Chance Café
- Palais de Tiana (Tiana’s Palace)
- Rafraîchissements Sleepy Hollow (Sleepy Hollow Refreshments)
- Silver Spur Steakhouse
- Fuente Del Oro Restaurante
- Cowboy Cookout Barbecue
And find shops like:
- Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building
- Tobias Norton & Sons
- Bonanza Outfitters
- Eureka Mining Supplies
- Big Thunder Photographer
Hong Kong Disneyland: Grizzly Gulch
In 2012, Grizzly Gulch opened at Hong Kong Disneyland. This area is the park's version of Frontierland. Grizzly Gulch is smaller than other Frontierlands. It has one main ride, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.
This roller coaster combines parts of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with unique features. It includes sections where the ride goes backwards and a fast launch.
Grizzly Gulch is themed like a mining town in Northern California. The story says the town was founded on August 8, 1888. This date was chosen because it was considered very lucky. A family of bears supposedly led a gold prospector to a big gold discovery. This led to the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company being started. The bears became a symbol of good luck for the town.
Grizzly Gulch Attractions and Entertainment
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (since 2012)
- Geyser Gulch
- Welcome Wagon Show
- Wild West Photo Fun
Grizzly Gulch Restaurants and Shops
You can eat at:
- Lucky Nugget Saloon
And find shops like:
- Bear Necessities
See also
In Spanish: Frontierland para niños
