Disney underestimated the appeal of Frontierland

Image: DisneyDavy Crockett was the Frozen of its era. Disney had modest ambitions for the project when it started. As such, Frontierland was fairly empty when Disneyland debuted in 1955. Many of the historic locations that you know and love weren’t ready on opening day. In fact, some of them weren’t even on the drawing board at the start of the year. Disney quickly adapted to the success of Davy Crockett by filling in the park with accompanying attractions.

On Disneyland’s opening day, Frontierland featured one huge ride, the legendary Mark Twain Steamboat. Disney also created Davy Crockett Frontier Museum, which was a last-minute addition highlighted by a model of the Alamo and wax figures of characters from Davy Crockett. Other than that, the place had stage coaches and a corral.

Over the next calendar year, Disney aggressively upgraded this section, deducing where their bread got buttered. They introduced the Mike Fink Keel Boats, and the Indian War Canoes within a calendar year. By 1959, Frontierland had gone from being the least exciting themed land at Disneyland to the most crowded that also had the newest attractions like Rainbow Caverns Mine Train and Sailing Ship Columbia.

Time has shrunk Frontierland

Image: DisneyThe impending arrival of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge came at a high cost for Frontierland. Expansion at Disneyland is a zero-sum game. To build one thing, something else generally has to go. At Frontierland, Disney shuttered Big Thunder Ranch, Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo, and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. They also adjusted the traveling path of the Mark Twain Riverboat.

At this point, only three rides are available at the themed land that Walt Disney himself conceptualized. Two are the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Steamboat. The third is the only one that’s less than 40 years old, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Built in 1980, it’s the “new” kid on the block.

Were Walt Disney to visit the Frontierland of today, I have to think he’d feel melancholy about the changes at this themed land. It was his baby and his favorite and the place where he celebrated a lifetime of joy with his wife. Today, it’s dwindling in popularity and losing space to other, more modern attractions. Frontierland deserves a better fate.