Passing from the frigid reaches of the far north, you find yourself now in what is known as the West. The West is well known for it’s wild spirit, it’s colorful history, and it’s abundant resources. All around you are old fashioned western store fronts, stretching ahead as a welcome oasis for those just arriving off the dusty trails. In the distance is a tall mountain of orange/yellow stone, banded with some layers of white and red. It stretches very tall, and houses one of the more popular Frontierland attractions; Western River Expedition.
Western River Expedition
Western River Expedition is a boat ride through the history of Western Expansion. Guests ride in log shaped boats along a river, experiencing some exciting drops and dips as they go. Riders be warned: You will get wet!
Ride Vehicle
The ride vehicle is identical to the current boats used in Splash Mountain. Each is log shaped, and on the front of each one, in place of the brer rabbit “carving” that exists now, is a “carving” of an indian or a cowboy. Each log fits eight guests, and features a traditional front bar for guests to hold on to, should they wish.
Ride Building & Queue
The ride is housed in a tall mountain which is shaped like MK’s Thunder Mountain, though the ride’s “river” is done much like Splash Mountain. The majority of the ride is indoors, and goes through a series of rooms, though there are some outdoor scenes, as well as a long finale drop that covers the face of the mountain and acts as a focal point. The track looks like a large waterfall which falls from the mountain’s peak to it’s base, winding around the base. The opening, where the ride makes it’s final drop, is decorated along the edges with fake plants, including one large tree. The legend around town (and happily repeated by any Frontierland CM who is asked) is that there is a spring of water at the mountain’s peak that never stops flowing, and that this rich source of water is the reason for the western town’s ability to thrive. However those who are greed and try to claim the precious water source for themselves may find that their luck turns for the worse. Don’t believe in such superstitious nonsense? Well, you best go speak with the unhappy haunts of Ghost Mill Island, whose gold remains unclaimed and whose town now lies abandoned.
The ride’s queue begins under the usual sign posts stating the ride’s name and fastpass return time. (Western River Expedition is a fastpass ride). It mirror’s the line for Thunder Mountain exactly, although the themeing is slightly different, and includes many items and posters pertaining to famous western places as well as rafting gear and warning about dangerous outlaws.
The queue winds it’s way downstairs, where the boat logs await passengers. There are two loading areas and two unloading areas, set up one each on either side of the queue. Boats are released one at a time after a quick safety check. They begin by climbing a waterfall, heading for the first scene.
The Ride
Scene 1 - Initial ascent and introduction to the ride
Guests glide out of the loading area and follow the river around a corner, floating past the scene of a couple of men, whose names are Mark and Davis, are standing on a dirt road, carpetbags at their feet. A street and city background makes it clear they are standing in a midwestern town, looking out west. Guests are slowly going past this scene, and they focus on the two AA men, who are gesturing at them. The tallest one points out beyond the boat.
“Mark, that’s where the future lies! Out west!”
The shorter of the AAs nods slowly, his hands hooked around a worn jacket, as he turns to face Davis.
“I know it, Davis. Come on, we have a wagon to get to. It’s a long journey, you know.”
“Yes siree, but imagine the fortunes awaiting us! And it’s ours if we just reach out and grab it!”
The tall one nods as he speaks and his hand goes from pointing to making a closed fist at his last words. The lights on the scene dim, and guests begin to move up a long waterfall, heading for the next scene.
Scene 2 - The Western wilderness & wild animals
Guests glide off the conveyor and find themselves in a new room. The river track snakes through this room in an “s” shape. All around the guests, there are animals and trees visible. On the first staged area, we see Mark standing on a rock, shading his eyes. Deer are grazing, and a pronghorn antelope drinks from a pool. The AA is grinning and his free hand holds a rifle.
“Look, more food than a man can eat! Can you believe this Davis? And all this open land to claim!”
The second staged area, on the opposite side of the “S”, shows four mighty buffalo grazing in the tall grass of the prairie. A baby buffalo is with them. Davis can be seen behind a tree, and in front of several downed logs, which stretch away behind him and up over the waterway. Davis is peeking out from behind the tree at the buffalo, also with a rifle in hand.
“Shoot! Look at them all! There must be hundreds! Mark, quick, come ‘ere! I bet we can sell the hides for a dollar apiece! We’ll be rich men!”
Guests glide past these scenes and find themselves moving under the fallen logs and trees. A cougar perches on top with fangs bared. It is heard growling as guests disappear beneath it and experience their first small drop, which is one which rockets them down, then up and over a hill.
Scene 3 - Groundbreaking
Guests now see Mark and Davis again, both sporting much richer clothing and with two fine horses in the background. They are studying a map together.
Mark: “We’ll put the town here, next to the river.”
Davis: “You reckon the natives will put up a fight?”
Mark: “Yeah, but we’ll be ready. That spring of water is the key to becoming the richest men in the West!”
Davis: “I reckon you’re right. Water is more precious than gold around these parts.”
Guests now emerge into the light outside, and find they are circling the base of the mountain. They move past the drop, which goes underneath them, much like in Splash Mountain today. They move over to another incline which they ascend, moving under beautiful sandstone arches and past spires of yellow rock. They emerge with a small splash at the mountain’s upper level. Turning a corner, they encounter the next scene.
Scene 4 - The Town & It’s People
Guests see a replica western town laid out along their route now. Various animated figures of people can be seen, including two women doing their shopping, the sheriff snoring on a chair on the porch of the sheriff’s office, a sneaky bandit peeking out at the sheriff from inside a barrel, and other figures, including Mark and Davis, hidden within the scene. The shops appear quite lively, and guests continue to look at them and at the cacti and other desert plants on both side of the boat. They continue to circle the top of the mountain and happen upon the town’s saloon. A cowboy figure is perched upon his horse on the roof of the saloon. Several townspeople have gathered below, and are shouting at the man to get down.They include the bartender, who is waving a glass and reminds the cowboy of his tab, a couple of showgirls, off to the side in fancy dresses and laughing, and several patrons of the establishment. The man on the horse is holding a bottle in one hand, and a rifle in the other. With a laugh he shoots the rifle and a barrel on the opposite side of the waterway begins to shoot out a stream of water. It arcs over the guests heads to splash into another barrel on the cowboy’s side. Guests then pass a sign for “Dry Ditch Gulch” before plummeting down a medium sized drop.
Scene 5 - The Fight
The guests now head back indoors, where they find a lively shoot-out in progress. On one side of the boat are the towns people, hiding behind barrels and doors, rifles held ready, though no shots are being fired. The town building are peppered with arrows.
The other side of the waterway shows several native americans painted for war and armed with bows and arrows. They are hiding behind trees and rocks, and watching the settlers angrily. There is evidence of gunshots in some of the rocks and trees.
Cries back and forth indicate that the battle is a draw at the moment, and that the indians are mad that their water source is being claimed from them. Several barrels leak water over the guests, and the AAs move randomly to peek out or raise and lower their weapons.
At the very end of the scene, we see Mark and Davis hiding, one behind a tree, and another in a barrel. Two arrows protrude from the tree.
Mark: “Davis, come on, while everyone is busy. We’ll claim the source of the water while everyone is distracted. Then we’ll own the whole river.”
Davis: “Right you are, Mark, let’s get out of here.”
Guests then begin to make the climb up towards the big drop.
Scene 6 - The climb and drop
Guests begin to slowly climb to the finale drop. They pass one scene in an alcove, which shows the two men climbing the mountain, encouraging each other to hurry up, or to watch out for falling rocks.
Guests reach the top to see the indian chief standing there, very angry. He’s wearing elaborate costume, and behind him we see several green trees and plants surrounding a bubbling spring, the source of all of the water in the area. He points angrily at the people in the log boat.
“Be gone from here. You cannot claim this water, it belongs to everyone: plant, animal, and man. Your greed will surely catch you unless you change your ways. Beware! There is a curse here for those who would be too greedy…”
Guests now plummet down the long finale drop, splashing down at the end and whooshing around the bottom of the mountain. Cacti and other desert plants decorate this area, and we see some rocks with pictures drawn on them. Close inspection will reveal a hidden mickey drawn on one.
Scene 7 - The finale
Guests now enter the final room, where we see a ghost town. Only Mark and Davis are visible in the scene, standing towards the end, horses tethered behind him. Mark is looking back at the town. The background clearly shows the mountain and spring and alls in the background, looking as green and lively as ever.
Mark: “Yesiree, Davis, this place sure brings back the memories.”
Davis: “That is does.”
Mark: “We almost blew it. But the west is full of second chances. Come on, we’ve got to get going.”
Davis: “You really think it’s right? To give up all the water and the town? After all, they say there ain’t much in California.”
Mark: “No, the chief was right. It just weren’t right of us to claim the whole river. And who knows? They also say California is the place where dreams are made. Maybe we’ll finally strike it big.”
Guests then wind their way back to the loading and unloading area, where they exit the ride and leave. The ride exits very close to the entrance of the ride, and some small gift kiosks can be found there.
