Frontierland?

[RamblingMad]

Is this land relevant given that Disney hasn't produced a western in a very, very long time? Is it time to replace it or come out with a new western to bring some life back into it? I feel like this is an area that Disney really hasn't done anything with movie wise in a very, very, very long time.

 

[neverlandsky]

Wasn’t Frontierland created to compete with Knott’s Berry Farm?

Don’t think there will be a new western Frontierland, yet I can see Frontierland evolving into New Orleans. Especially with The Princess and Frog going into Splash Mountain. River boats/Cruises/Tom Sawyer Island can become the Bayou. Big Thunder Mountain can merge into Adventureland.

 

[White Cat]

Is this land relevant given that Disney hasn't produced a western in a very, very long time? Is it time to replace it or come out with a new western to bring some life back into it? I feel like this is an area that Disney really hasn't done anything with movie wise in a very, very, very long time.

Yes.
No.

 

[Christine]

I never thought Frontierland was about movies or stories Disney created. Sort of like the Liberty Square area. It's about America. Tomorrow Land was also never based off a Disney production. It's just a vibe/feel/theme for an area of the park.

 

[BrianL]

I never thought Frontierland was about movies or stories Disney created. Sort of like the Liberty Square area. It's about America. Tomorrow Land was also never based off a Disney production. It's just a vibe/feel/theme for an area of the park.

Right. The Theme Parks and attractions don't have to be based on movies or anything. I mean, Tomorrowland isn't either, though I guess it contains more IP based attractions, plus they made the movie based on it.

It hasn't been that long since Disney made a western, though it was a major box-office failure - The Lone Ranger - which isn't as bad as it's reputation. There are rubmlings of something based on Big Thunder Mountain, but I'm not sure it will materialize. Westerns are kind of a hard sell these days anwyay, though if they struck a tone like PotC or Jungle Cruise with magic and monsters, it might work.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Shhh, don't give them any ideas! It's a miracle the Country Bears have made it this long at WDW.

 

[momz]

what about Woody and Jessie? They're frontier characters aren't they? sort of.

 

[BrianL]

Shhh, don't give them any ideas! It's a miracle the Country Bears have made it this long at WDW.

They do have that movie too.... Oh, wait, that may not be helpful.

 

[AvidDisReader]

Universal had the right idea with Cowboys and Aliens (which was directed by Disney favorite Jon Favreau). Too bad Disney is so busy trying to force the same re treads rather than coming up with something new. Oh well, I still enjoy Frontierland, and do not mind the upcoming changes to Splash Mountain.

 

[Moliphino]

I think Frontierland is great. It's even better in Paris, where Phantom Manor is also there. The whole backstory of the land at DLP is great.

 

[Eeyore daily]

In the last Behind the Attraction episodes, they explained how Liberty Square and Frontierland represented America growing and expanding. So no, I don't think it should be replaced.

 

[HannaBelle]

I personally do not care for Frontier Land, I loathe the Country Bears, I don't want to be wet while walking around so we typically skip Splash Mountain, the only ride/attraction we ride is BTMRR and only if we are there after dark. The lack of the railroad in that area is a real bummer.

All of this to say, if you like it then go for it! I am in love with Fantasyland and Adventure Land.

 

[fla4fun]

I love Frontierland. I agree it’s better when the railroad is running, as it brings some authentic sound and motion to the area. I also enjoy TSI, an area I had never explored until a few years ago, even though I have been visiting since the first year MK was open. I can’t imagine the park without it. Switching from Splash to a Tiana themed ride really isn’t that big of a change if you are only considering geography, since Splash takes place in the southeast US and Tiana in New Orleans specifically. So long as the aesthetic of the ride exterior isn’t changed too drastically (the old theming wasn’t really shown much on the outside so this may be possible by simply removing the briars and adding foliage from NO) it will fit in just fine.

 

[Rasstuss]

I never thought Frontierland was about movies or stories Disney created. Sort of like the Liberty Square area. It's about America. Tomorrow Land was also never based off a Disney production. It's just a vibe/feel/theme for an area of the park.

When Disneyland opened Davy Crockett was the most popular character that Disney had. So much so that on opening day Fess Parker (as Davy) and Walt rode horses alongside one another in the opening day parade. Frontierland was rooted in those productions as well as others from that genre. They tried a reboot with the New Adventures of Davy Crockett in the late 80's but it did not catch on. There is no way you will see a reboot of these today due to the depiction of Native Americans in the original.

 

[BrianL]

When Disneyland opened Davy Crockett was the most popular character that Disney had. So much so that on opening day Fess Parker (as Davy) and Walt rode horses alongside one another in the opening day parade. Frontierland was rooted in those productions as well as others from that genre. They tried a reboot with the New Adventures of Davy Crockett in the late 80's but it did not catch on. There is no way you will see a reboot of these today due to the depiction of Native Americans in the original.

I just watched the Davy Crockett's on DIsney+ this past weekend. They were created for the TV show "Disneyland" to promote Frontierland before the park opened. They hadn't expected it to get so big, which is why they ended up doing a few more that aired after they covered The Alamo, which is where he died.

 

[tvguy]

Yes.
No.

I agree.

 

[Mysterian]

I'm excited to see the one in Paris some day! If there is a Frontierland movie, go in that direction, make it tie in with the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie. Disney could have it's own shared film universe with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers theme, if it chose to pursue it.


It's possible the Frontierland theme may be somewhat dated now, especially as cowboys were more popular back in the 50's and 60's. However! Pirates in general also used to be dated in their popularity until the movies came along. (Yes the ride itself was still popular over the years, but pirate pop culture in sure saw an increase after the first Jack Sparrow flick).

Roy and Roy Jr both said the films would be the driving force for the parks, however I like that Disney instead used attractions as a basis for some movies, with the obvious goal of adding interest to said attraction. This also makes sense as many attractions themselves have developed their own following independent to any outside IP. I also prefer this move over outright revising each attraction to shoehorn a completely different IP (20,000 leagues' Captain Nemo being deep-sixed in favor of Finding Nemo).

 

[Mysterian]

Universal had the right idea with Cowboys and Aliens (which was directed by Disney favorite Jon Favreau). Too bad Disney is so busy trying to force the same re treads rather than coming up with something new. Oh well, I still enjoy Frontierland, and do not mind the upcoming changes to Splash Mountain.

Was Cowboys and Aliens incorporated into the parks?
As for Universal, they've been retreading to some degree with the Universal Monsters. Apart from the Brendan Frasier Mummy movie, that franchise went off the rails with all those sequels, not to mention Van Helsing, and then the recently tanked plans for their Dark Universe.

I think I've heard there are new plans ahead to try the Universal Monsters thing again, hopefully successful this time. I'm a huge fan of the originals, and am glad they have a presence at the parks. Recently they produced an attraction featuring the Bride!

 

[BrianL]

I'm excited to see the one in Paris some day! If there is a Frontierland movie, go in that direction, make it tie in with the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie. Disney could have it's own shared film universe with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers theme, if it chose to pursue it.

Big Thunder Mountain does have ties to the SEA. Barnabus T. Bullion was a member.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Big Thunder Mountain does have ties to the SEA. Barnabus T. Bullion was a member.

In my old thread, Disney ditched an ABC pilot about BTM that could have tied in both SEA and Haunted Mansion. I still have hope it’s made when Magnum P.I. ends eventually (the lead actor was to star in the show). https://www.disboards.com/threads/b...-2013-pilot-and-give-it-another-shot.3825398/