Frontierland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Disneyland-style parks run by

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...

around the world. Themed to the

American frontier The American frontier, also known as the Old West, and popularly known as the Wild West, encompasses the Geography of the United States, geography, History of the United States, history, Folklore of the United States, folklore, and Cultur ...

of the 19th century, Frontierlands are home to

cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the ''vaquero'' ...

s and pioneers, saloons, red rock

butte In geomorphology, a butte ( ) is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; buttes are smaller landforms than mesas, plateaus, and table (landform), tablelands. The word ''butte'' comes from the French l ...

s and

gold rushes A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth minerals—that brings an onrush of miners seeking their fortune. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Gr ...

along with some influence from American history, North America in general and Latin America. It is named Westernland at

Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney park t ...

and Grizzly Gulch at

Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland () (abbreviated HKDL; also known as HK Disneyland or Disneyland Hong Kong) is a theme park located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. It opened to visitors on Monday, September 12, 2005, at 13:00 H ...

. 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''.

Disneyland

History

Frontierland first appeared in

Disneyland Disneyland is a amusement park, theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, ...

as one of five original themed lands. Initiated by

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...

, 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 The Conestoga wagon, also simply known as the Conestoga, is a horse-drawn freight wagon that was used exclusively in North America, primarily the United States, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Such wagons were probably first used by Pennsylvania ...

, and walking trails. 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. 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! ''Fantasmic!'' is a nighttime show at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The show formerly operated at Tokyo DisneySea. It features fireworks, characters, live actors, water effects, pyrotechnics, lasers, music, audio-animatronics, searc ...

show. The docks to both the

Mark Twain Riverboat The Disney riverboats are paddle steamer watercraft attraction ride vehicles operating on a track on a series of attractions located at Disney theme parks around the world. The first was the ''Mark Twain'' Riverboat, located at the Disneyland ...

and the

Sailing Ship Columbia The Sailing Ship ''Columbia'', located at the Disneyland park in Anaheim, California, is a full-scale replica of '' Columbia Rediviva'', the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. The ''Columbia'' has operated in the park for more than ...

, (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 The elk (: ''elk'' or ''elks''; ''Cervus canadensis'') or wapiti, is the second largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in its native range of North America and Central and East Asia. ...

deer A deer (: deer) or true deer is a hoofed ruminant ungulate of the family Cervidae (informally the deer family). Cervidae is divided into subfamilies Cervinae (which includes, among others, muntjac, elk (wapiti), red deer, and fallow 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 Fess Elisha Parker Jr. (born F. E. Parker Jr.;Weaver, Tom.Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers p. 148 (McFarland 2012). August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010)(March 18, 2010Daniel Boone Actor Fess Parker Dies at 85" '' CBS ...

, who played

Davy Crockett Colonel (United States), Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennesse ...

in Walt Disney's Davy Crockett. Frontierland borders

Fantasyland Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at all of the Disneyland-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. It is themed after List of Disney animated films based on fairy tales, Disney's animated fairy tale feature films. Ea ...

(via the Big Thunder Trail),

New Orleans Square New Orleans Square is a themed land found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Based on 19th-century New Orleans, Louisiana, the roughly three-acre area was the first land to be added to Disneyland after the park's opening, at a cost of $18 mi ...

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) *

Frontierland Shootin' Arcade Frontierland Shootin' Arcade was an attraction in Walt Disney World Resort, Walt Disney World which simulates a shootout in Tombstone, AZ, Tombstone, Arizona, over Boot Hill in 1850. The gallery included a jail, hotel, bank, and cemetery with a ...

* Rivers of America **

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes is a free-floating canoe experience at several Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney theme parks. The oldest of the rides is located at the Disneyland park in Anaheim, California. Boarding from the park's Bayou Cou ...

(1955–present) **

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Tom Sawyer Island is an artificial island surrounded by the Rivers of America (Disney), Rivers of America at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland. It contains structures and caves with references to Mark Twain characters from the novel ...

(1956–present) **

(1958–present) *

(1992–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) *

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) * 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 Mike Fink Keel Boats (or River Rogue Keel Boats) were small boats that navigated the Rivers of America at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris. History The Mike Fink Keel Boats were b ...

(1955–1997) ** The Heartbeat of New Orleans — A Living Mural (2023–2024) * 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 Aunt Jemima was an American breakfast brand for pancake mix, table syrup, and other breakfast food products. The original version of the pancake mix was developed in 1888–1889 by the Pearl Milling Company and was advertised as the first " ...

's Kitchen (1962–1970) * 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 McDonald's Corporation, doing business as McDonald's, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain. As of 2024, it is the second largest by number of locations in the world, behind only the Chinese ch ...

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)

Magic Kingdom

Frontierland at

Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom Park is a Amusement park, theme park at the Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It opened on October 1, 1971, and is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company through its Disney Experiences, Expe ...

debuted with three attractions: the Walt Disney World Railroad station,

(which operated until 1994) and the world debut of the

Country Bear Jamboree The Country Bear Jamboree is an attraction in the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort. It was formerly located at Disneyland, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort. T ...

(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 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 ''Song of the South'' is a 1946 American Live-action animated film, live-action/animated musical film, musical comedy-drama film directed by Harve Foster and Wilfred Jackson, produced by Walt Disney, and released by RKO Pictures, RKO Radio Pi ...

'', 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 ''The Princess and the Frog'' is a 2009 American Animation, animated musical film, musical Romance film, romantic fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Inspired in part by the 2002 ...

.'' 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 creator Tony Baxter returned as a creative adviser. Splash Mountain closed on January 23, 2023. Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opened on June 28, 2024. 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 would be open on March 18, 2025. In August 2024, it was announced that an area themed the American wilderness from

Pixar Pixar (), doing business as Pixar Animation Studios, is an American animation studio based in Emeryville, California, known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. Pixar is a subsidiary of Walt Disney ...

's ''Cars'' franchise would be added to Frontierland, which will replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. In June 2025, it was announced that Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will close on July 7, 2025, to make way for Piston Peak National Park as a similar to Disney California Adventure version of Cars Land, while Walt Disney World Railroad will be temporarily run in Shuttle Mode with some reserved seats and Frontierland Station will be closed due to the construction.

Attractions and entertainment

* Walt Disney World Railroad (1971–present) ** Frontierland Station * Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1980—present) * Tiana's Bayou Adventure (2024—present) * Rivers of America ** Tom Sawyer Island (1973—2025) * Country Bear Musical Jamboree (2024–present) *

Disney Vacation Club The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a vacation timeshare program owned and operated by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., a subsidiary of Disney Signature Experiences, a division of Disney Experiences, a segment of The Walt Disney Company. It allow ...

lounge (2025—present)

Former attractions and entertainment

(1971–1986, 1992–2012, 2012–2024) ** Country Bear Christmas Special (1984—2005; seasonals) ** Country Bear Vacation Hoedown (1986—1992: seasonals) * Rivers of America **

(1971—1994) * Splash Mountain (1992—2023) *

(1971–2024)

Restaurants and refreshments

* Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn * Westward Ho * The Diamond Horseshoe * Golden Oak 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 similar to the Frontierland and Liberty Square areas of the

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 **

(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) *Roundup and Play (2016-2018)

Restaurants and refreshments

*Cowboy Cookhouse *Camp Woodchuck Kitchen * Hungry Bear Restaurant *Plaza Pavilion Restaurant *Pecos Bill Cafe *The Diamond Horseshoe

Former Restaurants and refreshments

*The Canteen (-2019) *Chuck Wagon (-2019)

Shops

*Frontier Woodcraft *Western Wear *General Store *Westernland Picture Parlour *Trading Post *Country Bear Bandwagon *Happy Camper Supplies

Disneyland Park (Paris)

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 Phantom Manor is a dark ride attraction in Frontierland at Disneyland Park (Paris), Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris. Phantom Manor is the park's version of The Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, a ...

, a version of the popular

Haunted Mansion Haunted Mansion may also refer to: *Haunted house, house or other structure inhabited by disembodied spirits *Haunted attraction (simulated), a type of amusement attraction Disney * The Haunted Mansion, a dark ride attraction located at multiple ...

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 ''Toy Story'' is a 1995 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It is the first installment in the Toy Story (franchise), ''Toy Story'' franchise and the Firsts in animation, firs ...

'' along with Jessie and Bullseye from ''

Toy Story 2 ''Toy Story 2'' is a 1999 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and the first sequel to Toy Story. It is the second installment in the Toy Story (franchise), ''Toy Story'' franchise and was directed by J ...

''. On the shores of the Rivers of the Far West is Frontierland Playground (formerly named

Pocahontas Pocahontas (, ; born Amonute, also known as Matoaka and Rebecca Rolfe; 1596 – March 1617) was a Native American woman belonging to the Powhatan people, notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. S ...

Indian Village), a children’s playground themed to resemble a traditional Native American village. 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. Main Street, USA is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many theme parks operated or licensed by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Main Street, USA is themed to resemble American small towns during the early 20th centu ...

via Fort Comstock. In October 2008,

Jack Skellington Jack Skellington is the protagonist of the 1993 film ''The Nightmare Before Christmas''. He is a skeleton who is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, a fantasy world based solely on the eponymous holiday. Jack is voiced by Chris Sarandon. Danny E ...

and Sally from the 1993 film ''

The Nightmare Before Christmas ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (formerly known as ''Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas'') is a 1993 American stop motion Animation, animated Gothic film, gothic musical film, musical fantasy film directed by Henry Selick in his f ...

'' 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 The Disneyland Railroad (DRR), formerly known as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, is a 3-foot () narrow-gauge railway, narrow-gauge heritage railway, heritage railroad and attraction in the Disneyland theme park of the Disneyland Resort in ...

- Frontierland Depot (1992–present) * Legends of the Wild West (1993–present) *

(1992-2018 and 2019–present) * Frontierland Playground (formerly

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 ** The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands * Rivers of America ** Indian Canoes * Woody's Roundup Village * Meet Mickey Mouse (Temporary) ** River Keel Boats

Restaurants and refreshments

* The Lucky Nugget Saloon * Last Chance Café * Sleepy Hollow Refreshments * Silver Spur Steakhouse * Casa de

Coco Coco or variants may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Coco'' (2009 film), a French comedy film * ''Coco'' (2017 film), an American animated fantasy film * '' Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle'' (), a 2020 Japanese anime film ...

- Restaurante de Familia * Cowboy Cookout Barbecue

Shops

* Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building ** Tobias Norton & Sons ** Bonanza Outfitters ** Eureka Mining Supplies * Big Thunder Photographer *

Saludos Amigos ''Saludos Amigos'' (Spanish for "Greetings, Friends") is a 1942 American live-action/animated anthology film produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Set in Latin America, it is made up of four different segments; Donald Duck ...

* Pueblo Trading Post

Hong Kong Disneyland

In 2012, Grizzly Gulch (

Cantonese Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...

: 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

References

External links

Official Disneyland website

{{Authority control American frontier Themed areas in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Park (Paris) Hong Kong Disneyland Amusement parks opened in 1955 1955 establishments in California Western (genre)