About Us|Rates and Reservations|Vehicles|Locations|Policies|FAQs|Discount Rooms & Tickets|Specials|Travel Guide
Orlando Car Rental Travel Guide - Frontierland
"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 “Must See” Rides & Shows
Frontierland is one of the most popular sections of The Magic Kingdom and, if you wake up early enough to be amongst the first visitors to the theme park, is the section of The Magic Kingdom that you should head to first. In addition to the three fantastic rides and shows listed below, the little ones will appreciate being able to run around wild as they play on Tom Sawyer's Island.
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 came 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. Although this is not the fastest moving line in the theme park, many photo opportunities exist in the queue that will make the perfect addition to any photo album of your Orlando vacation!
Country Bear Jamboree:
This delightful 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 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 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.
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. Just make sure they dry off before getting back into your Orlando car rental ... just because it may have bucket seats, it doesn't mean it will really hold water!
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 Ride Restrictions:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: If you would like to experience this attraction during your Orlando car rental vacation, there is a height requirement of at least 40 inches and children under the age of seven must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For safety and comfort, you should be in good health and free from heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride this attraction.
Splash Mountain: If you would like to experience this attraction during your Orlando car rental vacation, there is a height requirement of at least 40 inches and children under the age of seven must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For safety and comfort, you should be in good health and free from heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride this attraction.
If you don't feel like standing in long lines all day, get to Frontierland first thing in the morning. This is where the freedom of having an Orlando car rental really comes in handy. Visitors who have opted to take their hotel's free or paid shuttle bus to the Magic Kingdom often arrive an hour after the park has opened and crowds have accumulated. Don't let this be your family; reserve your Orlando car rental today!