Cowboy shoot out stunt show in Frontierland .. waaaay back

[Phatoomch]

Random theme park question .... probably meant to be in theme park community, me bad

When I was there in 1980, we were walking through Frontierland and suddenly, these cowboys came out from nowhere - on the roofs, on the ground - and had a shoot-out. I thought it was awesome!

Fast-forward to my first trip as an adult with my own family, I didn't see a shoot-out. Was I there at the wrong time or do they no longer do this?

 

[si-am]

I totally remember what you're talking about, but I haven't seen it happen in years.

 

[Phatoomch]

I totally remember what you're talking about, but I haven't seen it happen in years.

Ha! So I'm not just making it up then LOL! I was 8 at the time and it is one of my biggest memories

 

[Talking Hands]

Long gone and I really enjoyed it with my kids.

 

[KristiKat]

I remember seeing that as a kid also. I thought it was great.

 

[Magpie]

Sounds awesome!

I suspect in today's climate, gunmen opening fire in a crowded themepark, no matter how staged, might be too upsetting for some people.

I'd also be interested to know when it was phased out... was it around the time there was a spate of school shootings in the mid-to-late eighties?

 

[bjakmom]

Oh I remember that! I know I took a pic of one of my kids with one of the (handsome) cowboys - think it was DS - that would make it about 20 years ago. But it could have been one of the girls, which would be about 30 + years ago. Not sure which, but the kids LOVED it!

 

[Maleficent53]

I remember seeing this, too! We were surprised when the shouting started between the two sides, and then gunfire breaks out! I don't think it was eliminated because people would be afraid hearing gunshots.....I'm thinking it was eliminated early 90's---possibly after the travel downturn after 9-11.

 

[Phatoomch]

I remember seeing this, too! We were surprised when the shouting started between the two sides, and then gunfire breaks out! I don't think it was eliminated because people would be afraid hearing gunshots.....I'm thinking it was eliminated early 90's---possibly after the travel downturn after 9-11.

Exactly - it was so out-of-nowhere and exciting Yes, would love to know when this stopped ... such a shame

 

[archimedes76]

The old train station in Frontierland used to have a sort of robbery / gunfight show in the area out in front of it in the late 80's involving Cactus Jack Slade. The train station was moved down to where it is now to make room for Splash Mountain. The gunfight show was then moved down the street near Country Bear Jamboree where they were on top of the buildings. I think they stopped doing it in mid 90's.

 

[mesaboy2]

I remember seeing this, too! We were surprised when the shouting started between the two sides, and then gunfire breaks out! I don't think it was eliminated because people would be afraid hearing gunshots.....I'm thinking it was eliminated early 90's---possibly after the travel downturn after 9-11.

These two thoughts are mutually exclusive.

 

[chartle]

Exactly - it was so out-of-nowhere and exciting Yes, would love to know when this stopped ... such a shame

I have to ask. When you say such a shame are you saying you think it should be something that should still be done today?

This show probably had a few things going against it.

• Cowboy shoot em up movies had as I recall mostly gone by the way side by the mid 90's or even earlier.
  
• Very few kids of the day played cowboys at the time and most parents had stopped buying toy guns for their kids.
  
• This may have been a early start to cost savings measures that eliminated some of the street performances and since it would use stunt people cost even more.
  
• Could never happen in this post Columbine era. I can only imagine what some guests would do unless there was some announcement or warning.

 

[Phatoomch]

I have to ask. When you say such a shame are you saying you think it should be something that should still be done today?

This show probably had a few things going against it.

• Cowboy shoot em up movies had as I recall mostly gone by the way side by the mid 90's or even earlier.
  
• Very few kids of the day played cowboys at the time and most parents had stopped buying toy guns for their kids.
  
• This may have been a early start to cost savings measures that eliminated some of the street performances and since it would use stunt people cost even more.
  
• Could never happen in this post Columbine era. I can only imagine what some guests would do unless there was some announcement or warning.

Yes, I do think they should do it.

Granted, cowboy movies aren't as popular as they used to be but they still release at least one a year and everyone is familiar, even kids, with what a cowboy is - they are still part of the school curriculum.

Whether kids play cowboys or not, Frontierland is still popular and a shoot-out fits so well. Parents haven't stopped buying their kids guns, every boy I know owns a nerf gun.

Most likely, a cost measure.

When the 'cowboys' came out there was a lot of arguing between the two sides before they started shooting, there was plenty of time for you to "get" what was going on.

 

[pickles]

they could do lazers and aliens in tomorrowland, without the gun concern

 

[chartle]

Yes, I do think they should do it.

1. Granted, cowboy movies aren't as popular as they used to be but they still release at least one a year and everyone is familiar, even kids, with what a cowboy is - they are still part of the school curriculum.

2. Whether kids play cowboys or not, Frontierland is still popular and a shoot-out fits so well. Parents haven't stopped buying their kids guns, every boy I know owns a nerf gun.

3. Most likely, a cost measure.

4. When the 'cowboys' came out there was a lot of arguing between the two sides before they started shooting, there was plenty of time for you to "get" what was going on.

Just to continue the conversation (not an argument)

1. But today's Cowboy movies are not the shoot em ups of years ago. Its all about "feelings" and other really non cowboy stuff.

2. A nerf gun is not the same as the silver metal very real looking cap gun of my day. I even had one that looked like a snubbed nosed 38 police special.

3.

4. Still someone could stumble upon the scene and who knows what they could pull out of somewhere.

 

[mrjef]

I have not ever seen a gun fight in Frontierland, but I would LOVE it if they brought this back. My kids would have a blast watching it and bet it would be the thing that DS9 talked about for weeks after the trip. I have one child (DD4) that would probably freak out initially, but would be fine once she realized the loud noises and commotion was just a show.

Aliens and lasers would not be as cool as a gun fight in Frontierland.

 

[mrjef]

Just to continue the conversation (not an argument)

1. But today's Cowboy movies are not the shoot em ups of years ago. Its all about "feelings" and other really non cowboy stuff.

2. A nerf gun is not the same as the silver metal very real looking cap gun of my day. I even had one that looked like a snubbed nosed 38 police special.

3.

4. Still someone could stumble upon the scene and who knows what they could pull out of somewhere.

1. That is too bad. A lot of todays movies for boys do not have a clear good (moral) guy and a bad (evil) guy.

2. We let our kids play with the look alike guns mostly civil war era, but a silver six shooter and machine gun. Every boy needs a silver six shooter with the roll of pop caps. I do like the orange tip to make sure all around know it is not real.

and

4. That would be a concern, but I would think that more people in the past would have been carring a weapon than today with all the security to get in the parks.

 

[Phatoomch]

Just to continue the conversation (not an argument)

1. But today's Cowboy movies are not the shoot em ups of years ago. Its all about "feelings" and other really non cowboy stuff.

2. A nerf gun is not the same as the silver metal very real looking cap gun of my day. I even had one that looked like a snubbed nosed 38 police special.

3.

4. Still someone could stumble upon the scene and who knows what they could pull out of somewhere.

I'm with you on that

1. Too true, a lot of feelings and fluffy stuff but, upon further research, I have found that there have been over 40 movies - classified as 'Traditional' shoot em ups - released since 2000. Yep, I was surprised!

2. Well, a nerf gun isn't the same but its still a gun. A parent can state that they don't like their children playing with guns (which I hear often) and in the same sentence say a nerf gun is different ... if it makes them feel better

3.

4. Its sad that we are at a point of 'what if' over every slightest thing. Yes, someone could believe the worst but I find it highly doubtful that would lead to a member of the public pulling a weapon in Frontierland. However that very small 'what if' means majority lose out.

It was good old-fashioned fun

 

[chartle]

It was good old-fashioned fun

Yea good times, my wife's idea of fun growing up was hitting her two brothers over the head with sticks. good times

 

[Phatoomch]

Yea good times, my wife's idea of fun growing up was hitting her two brothers over their heads with sticks. good times

My hubby and his brother would stab each other with a fork - he still has the scars Would you believe that now they sell 'crash helmets' for tots - its for their safety when they are learning to walk. I kid you not!