Frontierland

 

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Frontierland paints a Disney picture of America’s westward expansion. This is a great place to see America in the “wild west” days. You can even pick up an old western rifle and try your hand at hitting some pretty neat targets. Yeee Haaw!

 

 

Some of Disney’s best attractions are here. Check them out …

Which way to go?

Signs in Frontierland pointing to Splash Mountain Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Train Station
Photo by Don Sullivan

The Attractions

The Attractions here are big and bold. There aren’t as many as in Tomorrowland but these are some of the best in the Magic Kingdom.

Boothill is pretty cool

The inside of the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
Photo by Brett Svenson

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade

Start off by working on your shootin’ eye by hitting the interesting targets make ’em light up, make noises, and even move when you shoot them. Take dead aim.

Dad loves this little shoot ’em up. It’s lots of fun. Yes, it cost a bit extra, but hey, it’s Disney World.

Dad’s Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade page

The Wildest Ride in the West

The Gold Dust Saloon on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Photo by Brett Svenson

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad takes you back to the gold rush times where Der’s Gold in Dem Der Hills. Climb aboard the fastest train in Disney World. Hold on to your hats.

 

Not only is the ride pretty wild, but the scenery is just amazing. Try to keep your eyes open so you can check out this beautiful

Dad’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad page

Really good music?

The 5 bear rugs at the Country Bear Jamboree
Photo by Joe Penniston

Country Bear Jamboree

A little down home country entertainment. That’s what you find right in the middle of Frontierland. Down home country entertainment brought to you by a bunch of big furry bears.

 

It’s a cute little country show that will never make it to Nashville, but will have you singing right along.

Dad’s Country Bear Jamboree page

Tom Sawyer Island

The younger set will enjoy Tom Sawyer Island. It’s a great playground for kids. It was modeled after the classic Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn novels. The kids will have a ball.

 

The island is cut off from the rest of the Magic Kingdom. It’s only accessible by the rafts that go back and forth. A nice place to get away for a while.

The return loop on Splash Mountain

After the fall on Splash Mountian
Photo by WDW Shutterbug

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain is the a study in contrasts. You sing Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah My Oh My what a Wonderful Day as you go plunging down a 100 story drop. (Yeah I know it’s only 14, but it feels like 100 to me.)

 

If you keep your eyes open during Splash Mountain, you’ll see a pretty cool retelling of the story from the 1949 Disney movie Song of the South. A funny thing is this is about the only place you’ll see anything from the movie.

Dad’s Splash Mountain page

Disney World Railroad

The train makes a stop right behind Splash Mountain. All aboard the train that encircles the park. Uncle Walt loved trains. He had one in his back yard. This one is a good way to see the backside of the Magic Kingdom.

Dad’s Disney World Railroad page

 

The Parades

Frontierland is a good place to watch the Disney World parades. In fact most guidebooks steer guests to this area. That probably explains why it’s so crowded around parade time. If you come early (and are willing to protect your ground) you can get a real good look at the afternoon parade.

 

Festival of Fantasy is the afternoon parade. It typically starts in Frontierland and winds it’s way to Main Street.  Don’t miss this, especially if you have kids.

Crowds

Crowds congregate in Frontierland in the early afternoon (around parade time). If you get caught in a parade crowd, the path along The River of the Americas is kept clear. You can walk from the Riverboat to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without having to fight the crowds.

Dad’s Guide to Magic Kingdom Crowds

FastPass + is available for “the mountains”. Dad recommends you grab one for Splash Mountain as soon as your window to reserve opens up. The wait for the Country Bear Jamboree is usually only one show.

 

For the best Magic Kingdom crowd avoidance plans check out Touringplans.com. They have over 100 plans for touring Walt Disney World.

Dad’s Touringplans.com page

Frontierland Dining

The only dining in Frontierland is Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. It serves hamburgers and fixins, lots and lots of fixins. The fixins bar is legendary.

 

Destinations to Travel

Dad’s Bottom Line

Frontierland is more than just the “mountains”. But the “mountains” are pretty good. Make sure to spend some time here.

 

Go for the “mountains” but check out the rest.

dDad's Magic Kingdom page

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Crowds in the Magic Kingdom

crowds

 

disney world restaurants

dining

 

the clock on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom

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