Frontierland
Frontierland! The land looking back to the days of the wild west and untamed wilderness. Frontierland is located on the right next to Adventureland as you continue walking towards the castle from Main Street. Frontierland was also one of the original lands. It includes the Rivers of America; a look at the rivers of our country. I think it hasn't gotten as much attention as the other lands, mostly because nothing new is really happening there. Everything has been how it is for a while now, and I don't see a reason for it to change.
Not that Frontierland has never been changed. There were a lot of changes that took place a while ago. There was the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland and the Pack Mule Ride Through Nature's Wonderland. Both these were rides through the wilderness with animated animals and all. These were taken out, though, and eventually Big Thunder Mountain and the Thunder Mountain Railroad was put in. Now let's take a look at what is also in Frontierland.
Attractions
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad-
". . .hold on to 'em hats and glasses, 'cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness." That's how the old miner warns the riders of this fast roller-coaster on a runaway mine train. Big Thunder Mountain is easy to see from many areas of the park and in this mountain is this great ride. Around and around you go, through mine shafts and out along the mountains edge. Along the way you see many animals. It's hard to see them all the first time (turtles don't make much noise so you don't know they're there), so I recommend doing this more than once to see everything. The line for this can stretch around the mountain and then wind around more in the enclosed area. Don't let this distress you, though, this line moves pretty fast and there's plenty of places to lean up against if your feet are beginning to wear out. Oh, I must mention this is quite an explosive ride!
Disneyguy's Hint: There is a special trick among Disneyland regulars that you can do on Big Thunder. It's the "Goat Trick." While you speed around in this train, you will see a goat chewing dynamite on your right. The trick is this, keep your eyes on the goat as long as you can. The train spins around, causing you to turn your head, and twist your body as you keep your eyes on the goat. This gives you a strange sensation, a mix between dizziness and spinning upside-down. Not for the faint of stomach! Here's a pic of the goat trick. Keep in mind, I was spinning around this goat quite fast, so the picture is blurry.
Frontierland Shootin' Exposition -
I never really got into this one very much, but I always see a bunch of kids in there. It's like a shooting gallery. Yes, I know they did it in the west, so it does really belong here.
Mark Twain Riverboat -
this is a fun one. The Mark Twain is the Mississippi riverboat that everyone recognizes as a Disneyland attraction. It holds many, many people so don't worry about lines. As you go, a narrator takes you through a ride down the Rivers of America, complete with animals, cabins on fire, Indians, and riverboat calls. It is also used in Fantasmic! Everyone should do this at least once.
Rafts to Tom Sawyer's Island -
these are quite fun. You all get on a raft and get on over to Tom Sawyer's Island, the island in the middle of the Rivers of America. It is also the site for Fantasmic! at night. You can explore at your leisure without lines. Climb around in caves, visit the camp, and attempt to get across some of those tipsy bridges without getting a wet shoe (that's something you could do without for the rest of your Disneyland stay.) When you're ready to go back, just get back onto a raft. They leave and return to the island regularly.
Sailing Ship Columbia -
this is the other ship on the Rivers of America. It is also used in Fantasmic!
Stores
Bonanza Outfitters
Esmeralda's Cottage
Frontierland Souvenirs
Pioneer Mercantile
Westward Ho Trading Company
Restaurants
Casa Mexicana
Big Thunder Barbecue
Golden Horseshoe Stage
River Belle Terrace
Stage Door Café
SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT FRONTIERLAND: The Mark Twain almost met it's doom one day when worker's overloaded the boat. As it went along the Rivers of America, the narrator pointed out certain things. When the heavy crowd all rushed toward one side of the boat, it nearly tipped over!