Last month we took a look around Liberty Square, the Magic Kingdom “land” dedicated to the early history of the United States. The theme of Liberty Square covers both the Colonial years and the early years of the new republic. As you might recall, the Hall of Presidents tells the story of the Constitution of the United States, the document that lays out how our nation’s government is to operate. The Constitution was established in 1789, and from that time on our nation expanded its organized borders across the continent in what was then considered our “manifest destiny.”
Westward expansion continued over the Appalachian mountains, along the Ohio River to the north and through the Cumberland Gap a bit to the south. In 1803, just a few short years after the Constitution was ratified, President Thomas Jefferson’s administration negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with a war-impoverished France. That opened the door for the United States to continue its expansion beyond the Mississippi River, into the Plains. Ironically, the California Gold Rush caused the Pacific Coast states to be added to the union even before many of the Plains states. During the years leading up to the Civil War, and even for quite a while after that conflict, the United States included states on both coasts that were divided by a vast area of land that was not yet populated by settlers from the east.
In the 1860s, over 700,000 people died during the American Civil War as the northern and southern portions of the United States fought over the issue of slavery, deciding only by force of arms that this heinous practice was illegal according to the Constitution. Even with that issue decided, the United States continued to settle the interior parts of the continent. A ribbon of steel, the transcontinental railroad, was built from California to the East. The successful construction of that railroad through the Rocky Mountains was due, in no small part, to the hard work of Chinese immigrants who had barely more personal freedom than the African slaves who were brought to work the cotton fields.
So even as hundreds of thousands of Black Americans, recently freed from slavery, were made free to begin their struggle for equality and civil rights (a struggle that would continue for more than another century), thousands of Chinese immigrants were coerced into providing hard labor and skills at rock-bottom wages, and hundreds of thousands of Native Americans were forcibly relocated to reservations from the Central Plains. Land that had supported native tribes for many hundreds of years was claimed as belonging to the young country. With the settlement and eventual statehood of Oklahoma, the deed was done and the United States stretched “from sea to shining sea.” It is this period of our history that has been captured in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
Obviously, only the romantic adventure of that time is remembered. The struggles of our minority residents and the hard times of the settlers aren’t captured. Frontierland was built as an entertainment venue. In that respect the Imagineers succeeded wildly. I wonder how Disney’s America, the park that was going to be built in Virginia (and in Buena Park, California, if Jim Hill’s recent piece is accurate), would have dealt with these issues. Unless the Walt Disney Company decides to build that park afterall, either at Walt Disney World or some other location, we’ll never know for sure.
Oddly, our photo tour of Frontierland begins before we enter Frontierland! The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, formerly the home of the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree (a 30 minute Western-themed, slapstick-and-song show), now is a character meet-and-greet area. It’s another example of the prediction of Roy E. Disney coming true when he expressed concern about the Disney parks becoming “museums.” Instead of being a place to enjoy lunch and a show, the Saloon is now an exhibit for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story. If you have kids that are Woody fans, you won’t want to miss this. But even if you don’t have kids, you can mourn with me the removal of yet another Walt Disney World attraction that has been replaced with a queue and a photo op.
The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, now a character meet-and-greet area. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Trey, a MousePlanet reader, wrote:
“I was a cast member at WDW in 2003 and took a rather interesting tour one day of Liberty Square. If you start from the fantasyland entrance, and move towards Frontierland, you travel through both time and space as you go through the walk.
“The Haunted Mansion architecture is modeled (I believe) after the Hudson Bay area buildings. Then you move through (Westward in theme) space and time.
“The Hall of Presidents is modeled after the Philly architecture. Notice the date on building.
“There are many, many details throughout the theming of the buildings… I know that there is a reference to Paul Revere’s ride, and that is just one I can think of.
“And ever wonder what the border of Liberty Square and Frontierland is? Look at the pavement right before you reach Frontierland and you’ll notice a strip of darker cement perpendicular to the main path… That is no other than the real border between the the East and the Western Frontier… Mississippi River.
“Just thought you might find that interesting if you didn’t already know about it.
“Thanks for the great article and pictures!”
I responded:
“Thanks Trey,
“I was planning on mentioning all of those details in an upcoming photo tour of Frontierland, but you beat me to it.”
The official entrance to Frontierland that Trey mentioned. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The Frontierland marquee is easily missed, and it frankly doesn’t matter much since Frontierland and Liberty Square are really one contiguous “land” anyway. Trey was right about the Hudson Valley styling of the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion. Like the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, which is themed as a Louisiana manor home to fit in with the New Orleans Square theme in which that Mansion resides, the Florida Mansion is themed to fit in with its surroundings. In this case, Liberty Square. So the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion is themed to represent the upper crust homes on the Hudson River near New York City.
As you stroll through Liberty Square, you can see other representations of historical buildings and areas. For example, Columbia Harbor House represents the seafaring whaling, fishing, and shipping towns such as Boston, Newport, and the ship-building towns on Long Island and the mainland such as Mystic. You can also see the colonial meeting houses of Philadelphia and Virginia represented in the Hall of Presidents building (as I mentioned in last month’s photo tour). Finally, Liberty Square bottoms out at the Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle riverboat, which represents the Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Red, Rio Grande, Colorado, and the mighty Mississippi rivers and the men and women that plied the rivers with goods and providing transportation… the lifeblood of a young nation.
The “paved” Mississippi that Trey mentioned, although not visible in the picture of the Frontierland marquee sign, trails away to the right, behind the fence (and my wife, Barb). The brown exposed-aggregate pavement crosses the red-painted concrete walkway all the way to the Rivers of America. Looking back to the Diamond Horseshoe and Liberty Tree Tavern, you can imagine the 1840s finished feeling of St. Louis. Just across the “Mississippi,” though, the neatly painted buildings and paved walks give way to rough-hewn log buildings and wooden side walks.
Now we’re in Frontierland!
The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. Photo by Brian Bennett.
On the left is the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. It costs 50 cents for a just few shots, but the targets are entertaining enough (if you can hit them, that is).
The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Next, again on the left, is the Frontier Trading Post.
The exterior of the Frontier Trading Post. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Sadly, this shop has been turned into yet another place to purchase trading pins. I personally don’t have anything against trading pins or pin traders, but I do miss the themed shops that the Magic Kingdom used to boast all over the park.
The interior of the Frontier Trading Post. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A candy shop is next in line. Frontierland and Liberty Square now have two sweets shops.
The interior of the candy shop. Photo by Brian Bennett.
On the right, across the Rivers of America, is the first Frontierland glimpse that there is something to see on the island. Of course, it’s Harper’s Mill, and the island is none other than Tom Sawyer’s Island, a fantastic place to explore and play. If you’re a kid under the age of 203, I promise you’ll find something on the island that will tickle your fancy.
A view of Harper’s Mill from Frontierland. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Back to the mainland side of Frontierland, the next major attraction is the Country Bear Jamboree. The original Country Bear Jamboree show, which ran here at the Magic Kingdom for many years before being replaced by the Vacation Hoedown, is running here again. Of course, at Christmas time the show is temporarily replaced with a holiday-themed show. Regardless, no matter what time of year you visit, the Country Bears are a must-see!
No matter what time of year you visit, the Country Bears are a must-see. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Before arriving at the Frontierland mountain range (Splash and Big Thunder), a tired traveler might want a bite to eat. Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is just the place.
Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe provides a quick bite to eat. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Based on the classic cartoon that was part of “Melody Time,” one of the Walt Disney Studios’ post-war animated anthologies, Pecos Bill’s really does capture the Wild West atmosphere. In fact, in all of Frontierland I don’t think there is a better themed place. Let me show around the place, then I’ll show you some examples of the theming.
Here at the main entrance, you can see the date around which Pecos Bill, Widowmaker (his trusty horse), and Slue Foot Sue had their love triangle. Note the painted clapboard siding on the fairly American-style building.
The main entrance to Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The restaurant is a basic fast food venue serving burgers, fries, and the like.
The serving area of Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Like many other Disney fast food restaurants, though, the fixin’s bar makes for a personalized meal customized to each guest’s own liking. I, for one, love the pickles and I eat a ton of them every time I eat at Pecos Bill’s.
The fixin’s bar at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe provides a variety of toppings and condiments for those burgers and fries. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Around toward the side of the building, the style turns more toward the Spanish style. Note the iron work and the Lone Star and Texas state image on this sign.
The exterior of Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe shows a Spanish influence. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Inside the building, again toward the back end of the restaurant, the dining rooms and central hall are definitely based on the Mission motif.
The interior of Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is based on the Mission motif. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The style does not clash at all, of course, since there was such a strong Spanish influence on Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and California due to the colonization of the area by the Conquistadors and the missions of the Spanish Catholic church.
The interior of Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, showing a strong Spanish influence that permeates the architecture of the American Southwest. Photo by Brian Bennett.
One other major point that I must make, is that the Spanish/Mission style meshes well with Caribbean Plaza, right around the corner in Adventureland, where the Pirates of the Caribbean hoist sail.
On the wall, near one of the exits, is this document that tells the story of Pecos Bill and his Tall Tale Inn and Cafe:
A document on the wall tells the story of Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Photo by Brian Bennett.
“Considered by many as the meanest, toughest, roughest cowboy of them all, Pecos Bill has been credited for inventing all things Western from rodeos to cowboy dancing to spurs, hats, and lassoes. He can draw faster shoot straighter and ride a horse harder than any man alive.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know when and where he was born, just that he was raised by coyotes and that his name comes from the river in Texas. Over the years, Pecos Bill along with his trusty horse, Widowmaker, have made quite a name for themselves forging new trails and taming others.
“Legend tells us several tall tales, like the time Pecos Bill jumped on a powerful twister and rode it like a bucking bronco. Then there was the time when Pecos Bill dug out a path to create the Rio Grande river during a severe drought that hit his beloved Texas. And then there was the day Pecos Bill was so bored that he took his handy six-shooter and shot out all of the stars in the sky except for one. That’s why they call Texas the ‘Lone Star State.’
“In 1878, with the encouragement of his friends, Pecos Bill decided to open his own watering hole, a restaurant, whose motto very much reflects its one-of-a-kind owner, ‘The Tastiest Eats and Treats This side of the Rio Grande.’ Pecos Bill called it the Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and it quickly became a popular hang-out for some of his legendary friends.
“As time went by, it became a tradition when each friend paid a visit they would leave something behind for Pecos Bill to remember them by. As you can see from the articles and artifacts that don the walls, many of which carry inscriptions, Pecos Bill had some mighty impressive friends.
“Seems that every trail eventually led to the Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.”
The Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is, indeed, decorated with many, many things that add a ton of atmosphere. It would take another whole photo tour to cover everything… something that I’ll keep in mind for another time.
One item, though, that I just can’t pass by now, is the famous Pecos Bill “Code of the West,” which states:
Pecos Bill’s famous Code of the West. Photo by Brian Bennett.
“Respect the Land, Defend the Defenseless …and don’t ever spit in front of women and children!”
Now that’s a good set of guidelines to live by even for today… especially the spittin’ part.
Across from Pecos Bills and down the boardwalk a bit, is the landing for the rafts that you can ride over to Tom Sawyer’s Island.
The Liberty Belle and a raft sit on the river. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The rafts always give way to the Liberty Belle. They are much more maneuverable and can stop much more quickly than the big riverboat. In fact, if you think about it for a moment you’ll realize that Liberty Belle isn’t maneuverable at all.
A raft just arrives at the landing on the island side. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Once across the river, there are caves, mines, and play places to explore.
A windmill on the shore just across from Splash Mountain. Photo by Brian Bennett.
And further down a bit, across from Big Thunder Mountain, is Fort Langhorn.
Fort Langhorn, across from Big Thunder Mountain. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Some day I’ll take my camera over to the island and we’ll look around over there, too.
Splash Mountain is certainly a whimsical place. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Back to Frontierland, though, I wanted to share a few pictures of Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain before calling the tour complete.
The exterior of Splash Mountain. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Before dumping you down a 60-foot flume ride into the briar patch, guests are given a wonderful ride through the Song of the South. (In a very recent piece, Jim Hill reported that the Song of the South would be available on DVD for the film’s 60th anniversary next year. If so, I’ll be first in line to pick up my copy.) Br’er Rabbit has to use his head to stay away from his arch enemies Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, but he pulls it off.
A closer look at the falls on Splash Mountain. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A little statue out near the front of the attraction pokes fun at Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear as they search the briar patch for Br’er Rabbit. I guess they’ll never learn.
A little statute out near the front of the attraction of Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The Briar Patch is also the name of a gift shop near Splash Moutain.
The Briar Patch gift shop entices guests to purchase Splash Mountain-themed merchandise. Photo by Brian Bennett.
It offers an array of character merchandise and the ubiquitous, “Splash Mountain 100% Wet” T-shirts.
The interior of the Briar Patch gift shop. Photo by Brian Bennett.
If you look a bit more closely up at the ceiling, though, you’ll see that the Briar Patch is really Br’er Rabbit’s house! Up there you can see a small sitting area…
The interior of the Briar Patch gift shop. Photo by Brian Bennett.
And far to the left is the kitchen table.
The interior of the Briar Patch gift shop. Photo by Brian Bennett.
You have to give Imagineering an A+ for adding details like that. It just plusses the place so much… and this is just a shop, for crying out loud!
Next up is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. First, here’s a picture of the mountain from all the way over in Liberty Square. You can just make out the tail end of one of the trains disappearing into the mine to the right in this picture.
You can see Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from Liberty Square. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Big Thunder Mountain, in case you didn’t know, suffers severe localized earthquakes because the spirits of the mountain are unhappy with the mining being down below the surface. I’d avoid that train ride, if I were you. You never know how much danger you’ll be in.
A view of the queue entrance with the mine equipment arrayed in front. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Here’s a couple of pictures showing some trains with riders that didn’t heed my advice.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Stupid tourists.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Back in 1992, the Frontierland railroad station was torn down are rebuilt. For the park historians among you, you’ll remember that was when Splash Mountain was under construction and the old station had to be removed to make way for the new E-ticket attraction.
The new station was built high above the surrounding area. If you recall, the train itself runs on a berm that runs around the park. At this particular point, though, the berm has been replaced with a trestle-like structure to carry the train through Splash Mountain and beyond to Big Thunder Mountain.
The train station. Photo by Brian Bennett.
With the berm removed, the Splash Mountain queue, restrooms, Splash Down photos, other shops, and the character meet and greet area are all actually located beyond the original park berm.
The waiting room of the train station. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Inside the station, the ticketing area is very well-themed.
The schedule trains from Tucson, Sante Fe, San Francisco, Red Bluff, and Big Thunder are all on time.
The schedule trains from Tucson, Sante Fe, San Francisco, Red Bluff, and Big Thunder. Photo by Brian Bennett.
On the wall opposite the fireplace is a window shelf used as a lost & found. My personal favorite is the wooden leg. I hope Hopalong comes back to find it before the next bank robbery.
On the wall opposite the fireplace is a window shelf used as a lost & found. Photo by Brian Bennett.
There are two more areas in this part of the park that we’re going to look at a bit more closely next month. Columbia Harbor House and the Haunted Mansion are both dripping with theme. We’ll look at them both very closely in March.
Until then, enjoy your winter. I know that I am (it was 76° and sunny yesterday when I spent the afternoon at Animal Kingdom with my boys. What was the weather like in your hometown?)
