"Here we experience the story of our country's past... the colorful drama of frontier America in the exciting days of the covered wagon and the stage coach, the advent of the railroad and the romantic riverboat. Frontierland is a tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of the pioneers who blazed the trails across America." - Walt Disney

Frontierland Secrets

• Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland is the tallest “mountain” in Florida. At 197 feet, however, it is clearly not the highest elevation in the state which is 347 feet near the Georgia border.
   
• There are two hidden silhouettes of Disney characters at the Big Thunder Mountain ride in Frontierland. While waiting in line, you can see a shadow of Pluto at night when you are on the right side of the train station facing the mountain. Also, just after passing the bats at the beginning of the ride, look into the large pool in the back where the stalagmites and stalactites are. There is a silhouette of Goofy at the bottom of the pool which can be only be seen at the top of the hill when you are directly above it.
   
• A water cannon shoots off a huge spray of water at the observation bridge in Frontierland as every third log flume plummets down Splash Mountain. You will frequently see children gathered on the bridge, trying to cool off from the rays of the hot Florida sun during their Orlando vacation.
  
  
• Just before the big drop at the Splash Mountain ride, a weasel pops down from the ceiling and says “FSU.” The designer for this portion of the ride was a graduate of Florida State University and left a little piece of his alma mater behind for eternity. It happens immediately after the water streams shoot across the front of your log flume. Apparently, he believed that all people on an Orlando vacation are Seminole fans!
   
• Some people believe there are many references to characters that are not Disney cartoons throughout the Splash Mountain ride. There are signs that appear throughout the attraction that have references to Bugs, Porky, Road Runner and Daffy. The names of these Warner Brothers characters are in bold type on each of these signs. Also, there seems to be a profile of Hanna-Barbera’s Fred Flintstone built into the mountain, itself. Since no competing theme parks in the Orlando vacation area utilize Hanna-Barbera characters, could it be that they saw no harm in it?

Frontierland “Must See” Rides & Shows

Splash Mountain:
Clearly one of the best rides in all of Walt Disney World, Splash Mountain, a FastPass ride, is based on the 1946 Disney film Song of the South. This ride follows the Uncle Remus tale where the wily Brer Rabbit outsmarts the less-than-cunning Brer Fox as he searches for his “Laughing Place.” Some of the over 100 Audio-animatronic figures utilized at this Frontierland favorite actually come from the now-defunct America Sings attraction that was at Disneyland in California. Countless critters can be seen and heard throughout this amazingly colorful ride, which features one of the tallest flume drops in the world. Many photo opportunities exist in the line for this Frontierland favorite that will make the perfect addition to any photo album of your Orlando vacation.

Country Bear Jamboree:
This Frontierland show was the first Walt Disney World attraction that was subsequently duplicated in the other Disney Parks throughout the world. Walt Disney himself, created the concept for this old fashioned country hoedown which features the antics of twenty Audio-animatronic bears, held in Grizzly Hall in Frontierland. This seventeen-minute show is hosted by a seven-foot-tall bear named Henry and features the talents and corn ball humor of Teddi Barra, the Five Bear Rugs and a cast of other grizzly entertainers. Don’t be discouraged by the long lines that gather for this delightful show, which has been an Orlando vacation favorite since it opened. The showroom is large and usually accommodates the entire throng waiting outside.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:
Another Frontierland FastPass attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad depicts the days of the California gold rush during the mid 1800’s. This runaway mine car roller coaster ride, set in the town of Tumbleweed, features twenty Audio-animatronic figures and authentic antique mining equipment. An old Indian legend warned that if anyone ever defaced the sacred Big Thunder Mountain, a terrible disaster would occur. With the arrival of miners, excavating the mountain for gold, this prophesy comes true. During the ride an earthquake causes a huge flood to erupt, sending water crashing down the mountain.