Throughout the history of the Magic Kingdom, parades have either began and ended at the corner where Adventureland and Frontierland meet. With this new expansion to Frontierland, the start of the Parade will be migrated westward. The parade will start inside the Town of Rocksburg, and continues eastwards following the curve into the original Frontierland. Two other changes were made to the parade route and set-up that will not be noticed by guests due to their backstage locations. The largest of these changes is the destruction of the original parade float building and the construction of a larger facility towards the south of the new expansion. The other change is the migration the parade prep area, the north-south road below the expansion will serve as the new prep station for all Walt Disney World parades.
Tales of the American Frontier -
Take a ride into the history of American Folk Heroes in this one of a kind E-Ticket Family Attraction for Walt Disney World. Witness the deeds of these famous icons as they shaped the frontier into what we see today.
Ride Vehicle Description:
The ride vehicle is an artistic rendition of a covered wagon and allows enough room six travelers to take a journey. The vehicle itself is a modified version of the trackless system which allows for a smooth floor and gives the ability for the vehicles to dance around each other as they go from scene to scene. Modifications to the ride platform include the introduction of hydraulics to raise and lower the seating compartment. This will be used to change the guests's position to increase the ride immersion. Another modification is the addition of speakers embedded into the vehicle to allow The Historian to speak directly to the guests.
Queue:
Towards the southwest section of the expansion, a dusty rocky outcrop grabs the attention of oncoming guests. Approaching the natural arches and jutting rock faces, they will notice a dusty pathway winding into the rock's side. Following the winding path deeper into the foothills, guests will find themselves approaching a cave. Inside the cave, they are given a chance to examine and explore the artwork left by the cave’s original inhabitants. Crudely drawn images representing historical events, daily life, and hunts decorate the area.
Pre-Show:
As guests dive deeper into the cave, the smell of smoke and cooking food becomes prevalent in the area until they are funneled into a small chamber with the wall closing behind them with the loud thunder of collapsing rocks. In front of the guests is a small roaring fire with what looks like a chicken being cooked over the fire. Sitting on a large boulder is an elderly man, slowly tapping his foot and nodding his head as he watches the guest enter in. Once all the guest have been gathered he softly speaks up.
“I see you have found my cave, friends. I am Homer, but the folks around here call be the Historian, ya’ll see I have wandered these here hills for many a year hearing every story from the roarin’ Pacific to the majestic Atlantic. And I’ll have you know that each one of is as real has the hair on my Head”
The Historian lifts up his hat showing a balding head.
“Seeing as the cave gone collapsed behind ya, I bet ya’ll love to hear a tale or two until the town Folks come searching for ya’ll. Follow the path to yer right and ya’ll find somewhere comfortable to sit, I’ll join you in a bit.”
A secondary door towards the right hand side of the guests open before the Historian finishes his sentence, making it seem as if the pathway has been available the entire time. Guest will begin walking deeper into the cave until they enter a larger chamber with larger millennium old stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing from the floor. Queuing through the station, guests find themselves boarding a wagon that seemed to float towards them. After they board, the doors magically close behind them, and the voice of the Historian comes over the speakers as they progress to the safety check point.
Ride Experience:
“I see ya’ll found a comfortable place to sit. Just please remember this is an older wagon, so please keep yur hands and feet inside the vehicle. Also please avoid using any flashin lights, my old eyes can’t handle like they use too. Most importantly, enjoy.”
The car spins around and enters a dark room, the voice of the Historian starts off.
“I guess we’ll start off slow and I’ll tell ya a story that you prolly heard in your younger years, but trust me ya’ll never heard the truth. Many years ago, a young man fell in love with a young woman livin in Virginia.”
A mist screen appears. In the distance guest see a small hill with an apple orchard with two figures in the distance walking over the hill top, and through the trees.
“Them two would walk through the Apple Orchards through the days, talkin about the future they would have, but sadly before they could ever unite in love a dreadful disease stole her away”
In mid-sentence the screen goes black and the car spins around and moves away from the scene. As the vehicle moves into the next room a man in his mid 20's (animatronic) is slowly moving in a circle around apple seed saplings, and planting more apple seeds. All around in the back ground matured apple trees can be seen while the sweet scent of apple blossoms fill the air.
“In her memory, Johnny boy walked from town to town planting apple seeds from his love’s orchard to spread apples and smiles to those he barely knew.”
The front of the car follows Johnny Appleseed as it drives into the Apple orchard, the vehicle quickly moves through the orchard nearly missing other wagons as they weave through the trees. They approach the edge of the Orchard as the Historian speaks again.
“Johnny Appleseed he became known as, living out his life spreading apples throughout the frontier”
The orchards around the guest slowly fin away as taller pines begin to take their place.
“Ya’ll I’m sorry to start our trip with a sad story, Good ol’ Johnny boy paved the way for others to head into the Frontier”
As the Historian begins speaking again, guest find themselves on a Tennessee Mountain top with a familiar melody whistled by the birds in the background. The sound of a new born baby can be head on the other side of the scene.
“Ahh this is a favorite of mine” He starts humming the entry bar of The Ballad of Davy Crockett . “Davy Crockett accomplished many deeds in his life donning the title King of the Wild Frontier”
The wagon continues around the next bend and faces a animatronic three year old Davy Crockett sitting on top of a dead Bear hitting the head of the bear on the head with a child’s toy, while the Historian laughs saying.
“Did ya’ll know he even killed a b'ar at the age of three.”
The wagon spins again and starts heading towards the sound of moving water, as they approach they see two keel-boats one with Davy Crockett and the other with Mike Fink racing down a river. The vehicles bob up and down with the keel-boats to provide the guests with the sensation that they are racing on the Mississippi versus Davy Crockett and Mike Fink.
“One of my favorite deeds was when he and old Fink decided to have a boat race through the Mississippi, then a group of river pirates disguised as Indians attack them. But this was nothing for Ol’Davy Crockett and Mike Fink fought them off”
As the vehicle flows down the river there's a scene change. Floating around the bend guest see Davy Crockett and Mike Fink fighting off a bunch of river pirates dressed as Indians. After a few gunshots and scuffling the river pirates escape on their canoes as they withdraw behind a thick mist. The wagon continues onto journeying on land.
“He even went on to join Congress and found time to patch up the Liberty Bell”
The final scene shows Davy Crockett underneath the Liberty Bell with a hammer attempting to fix it.
The wagons move to a dark room very similar to the previous cave locations guests have been in.
“Now, while Crockett went on to serve the nation, this next man shaped the world us. Born larger than the rest, Paul Bunyan went on to become the tallest man in US History”
Once again the guests find themselves in a large forest, the thuds of large footsteps can be heard as the wagon shakes. A loud Timber can be heard as a Tree falls in front of their path. The wagon spins out of the way and finds itself in a cold snowy room. In the corner a guest see Paul Bunyan lifting a large log off of a blue Ox.
“Paul wander’d the Territories as a Lumberjack, until one bitter winter he found a trapped blue Ox. This rescued Ox, named Babe, went on to grow nearly as large as ol’ Paul”
The wagon rolls backwards and spins around facing a desert. In front of them a giant ax lands in front and the wagon shakes as the ax is dragged across the ground creating a canyon.
“Now, good ol' Paul and Babe would wonder these here territories looking for good lumber, but one day Paul accidentally let his ax drag across the ground. It was many miles later when Paul realized what happened, today we call Paul Bunyan's mistake The Grand Canyon.”
“Now no one knows what happened to Paul, some say he moved on to his next great adventure, but I reckon he’s around here somewhere”
The car rolls back through mist into a western world with animatronic coyotes playing with a young Pecos Bill.
“I think ya’ll have enough time for one more story. This one is about a good friend of mine, Pecos Bill. Now Pecos Bill was a man born in Texas and after falling out a wagon like the one ya’ll are in right now, he was raised by a pack of coyotes”
The car spins into the next scene, with the smell of rain and dark clouds in the distance.
“Now he should be around here somewhere, like I said he's a good friend of mine. I hope he ain’t caught in the clouds ahead, looks like a storms approaching”
The wagon rolls into the room where other wagons can be seen spinning around a large Tornado in the center of the room.
“That ain’t any storm, that’s a Tornado. Find something to ‘old on to ya’ll this is gonna be a bumpy ride.”
The wagon feels like it’s being picked up into the area as it starts to spin around the room barely missing the other wagons in the room. The height of the seating compartment continues to change adding to the sensation of being thrown around the storm. In the final bit, the wagon is spun rapidly out of the room.
“Looks like Pecos caught the Tornado, and rode off to meet with his love Slue-Foot Sue”
The storm has calmed and guest once again find themselves in the cave with a mist screen showing Pecos Bill riding the Tornado off into the distance. The vehicle passes through the mist into the unloading station where they here the Historian one last time.
“Please join me again soon for some of my tales!”
The Gathering Spot:
The Gathering Spot is the newest table service on the edge of Rocksburg. Serving Native American cuisine found throughout the nation, and traditional foods such as burgers for those who like something much familiar. The seating, and stage will be outdoors with a canopy protecting everyone from the harsh Florida elements. Seating will either be on stones or logs, and the tables are made of wood. All aroudn diners they can see trees sprouting, and overhead fans and lights hanging on ropes. This table service is open for Lunch and Dinner. Now lets move toward the show.
- Telling of a Navajo Early Morning Blessing
Chief White Feather - "The great sea of grain and grass, home of the buffalo and the First Nation. The Blackfoot, the Comanche, the Kiowa, the Lakota, the Crow...all call these expansive lands home. But, life was not always easy. So, the gods gave a gift. The gift of the Sacred Dog."
- Telling of The Sacred Dog
Chief White Feather - "The upstream people are our brothers of the north-west. The Karuk. Their lore tells us how the Coyote, the craftiest of all the animal spirits, gained it's cunning."
Chief White Feather - "The Iriquois nation was founded in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect by five tribes. One of the original tribes, from the cold realms of the north, was the Onandaga. And, they tell us why the sky moves, and where mother earths great bounties come from."
- Telling of Earth on Turtle's Back
Chief White Feather - "But, in the dark, not all is as it seems. There are beasts and mysterious creatures which should be treated with respect and care."
- Telling of The Old Man and the Taily-po
Chief White Feather - "And, it wasn't so long ago, that these rocks themselves were populated by Giants."
- Telling of The Story of the Giants
Chief White Feather - "Do not fear, my friends and children. There are strong warriors from the Six Nations, including the Tuscarora, to protect you if you are kind, honest and good."
- Telling of The Invisible Warrior
Chief White Feather - "However, we are told, treat the earth with care and respect, and the mother will respond in kind."
- Telling of Brother Eagle Sister Sky
Chief White Feather - "And now depart, my friends, with this wisdom from our elders. May the Warm Winds of Heaven, blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit, bless all who enter there. May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows. And, may the rainbow always touch your shoulder."
Race through the Wilderness -
Queue:
As guests enter the Rocksburg Ranch they encounter several desert plants and a trough bone dried of water. Guests maneuver throughout the front of the ranch on a slope slowly going up encountering plenty of desert plants and an occasional cow skull. Eventually guests reach the Rocksburg Ranch's prized possession the Livery Stables with the fastest horses in town.
Inside the Livery Stables guests will see hanging lights illuminating the whole room. Several windows are present showing guests a sunset outside over the wild frontier. On what appears to be a second story are bales of hay stacked upon each other. On the lower floor to the right will be various stables with realistic horse animatronics occasionally they will huff or neigh. The various horse stables will awards on the walls which will have various gags to corresponds to the horses name. Guests will eventually reach the loading docks and enter their own trusty steed.
Ride Vehicle:
Guests will be riding roller coaster cars that each seat will be an individual horse. This way it will seem like each guest is racing one and other. Overall this will be a unique roller coaster that for people that aren't ready for Big Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain, but are too old for the Barnstormer. Overall it would be a fun ride for all audiences.
Ride Stats & Info:
This at traction takes place in a show building, and not outside.
Attraction Type : Motorbike Roller Coaster
Vehicle : Rocksburg Steeds
Theme : The Frontier's Wonder
Number of Trains : 4
Amount of Riders : 80
Riders per Train : 20
Duration : 3 Minutes
Riders per Hour : 1,600
Riders per Day : 16,000 - 28,800
Height Restriction : 38 in (97 cm)
Fastpass+ : Yes
Ticket Rating : D-Ticket
Ride Experience:
As guests disembark from the safety of the stables they enter a cacti garden. Among the cacti there are several that seem o have grown arms, noses, and eyes. Occasionally a sneeze is heard as one cactus says Bless You another says Thank You. Occasionally some of the other cactus have a conversation, but are shushed to not make the humans think they're crazy. Guests soon embark upon a lift hill. Guests pass by several cacti growing upon the wall that seem normal. Eventually guests come across a Saguaro Cactus that on top a bob cat slyly smiling to the horses and guests and they go down the hill.
Guests race down the hill, and under an arch made of red clay. As the sky darkens to night guests pass by two foxes one nodding yes, and the other no. Guests soon find out that they were arguing if they should enter a particular part of the frontier. Here guests quickly move around and maneuver rocks that are rolling around, and it seems like they are about to fall upon guests. As guests finally escape the rocks they see an owl who is hooting as if it was laughing at guests. Although it seems like it's all over a large rock begins to fall. Guests quickly turn into a cave as they here a rock falling presumably blocking the only known entrance/exit.
As guests continue through the dark ominous cave a light appears. Guests are greeted with a spectacle of color known as Rainbow Caverns. Stalactites and Stalagmites are all round the room in multiple colors. While waterfalls pour water that seems to glow in the dark. This room will be a true sight to behold. Guests will soon reach a new cave opening. As guests exit the cave they will be able to see the sun rising in the distance. They will pass by various geysers inside the cave some will shoot out multi color water. As guests leave the cave they have a small,but quick drop.
Through the drop the guests turn left and pass by several hidden springs with wild animals resting and drinking around the hidden springs. Guests will then enter a fenced in area as they pass by a cow and a chicken coop. From here they reenter the Livery Stables, and unload.
Sal's Saloon -
Welcome to Sal's Saloon! The local eatery for the tourists and residents of Rockburg. Serving tasty BBQ foods such as ribs and chicken this eatery is sure to please. Not convinced? Well how about stopping by the bar home to the world's famous Golden Apple Cider right from an orchard planted by Johnny Appleseed himself. While you folks sit back and dine how about ya'll listen to some good ol' music from the Dust Bitters a local music group who have been making music since the early days of Rockburg. We do hope to see ya'll real soon.
Rocksburg Storefronts -
This particular store will be divided into three separate "Stores", but in reality all form one large store similar to the Emporium. From Left to Right these stores are Lovely Lucy's Salon, Ol'Jack's Miners Supplies, and The Neighborly Merchant. Each of these stores keeping a different, but coherent theme that matches Rocksburg.
Lovely Lucy's Salon:
Long before Rocksburg was a town Lucy was kidnapped and robbed from Rainbow Ridge by thieves. They had left Lucy in a land by herself nearby several springs. She had discovered that the springs had a certain substance to keep herself forever young, and overtime she built a house over the spring that was the source of the minerals. Now she welcomes all the locals and tourists into her salon to try what she claims wil help everyone stay forever young.
Upon entering the store guests will be able to view all the displays throughout the room. Hanging throughout the room are portraits of Lucy. With some of them with her wearing clothes from the 1700's, and another showing clothes from the 1800's. Each portrait shows no age to Lucy as it seems like she stays constantly the same. Perhaps the minerals are really real perhaps give it a try?
This store will specialize in selling Shampoos, Conditioners, Shower Gels, Soaps, and Creams. The majority will be changed out over time, but one line the will always stay the same is the Rocksburg Forever Young line. This line of merchandise will come with pleasing scents from the Wild Frontier, and will be infused with a mineral that will help care for the body keeping your skin
forever young.
Ol'Jack's Miner Supplies:
Ol'Jack came to town to cash in on miner, but soon business seem to fade as the miners discovered there to be nothing. The few that stayed was for the sweet water claimed to keep you young. Soon word got out, and tourists from all over flooded Rocksburg. Ol'Jack seeing a golden opportunity to cash in reopened his store to all. Ever since they're has been a steady flow of money.
Ol'Jacks Miner Supply will sell typical Frontierland Merchandise as well as new items based on the newest addition to Frontierland, Rocksburg. The store is decorated with mining supplies throughout the room with it giving it off a rustic feeling.
The Neighborly Merchant:
Run by the Indians nearby guests will be able to shop goods that seem to be made by the tribes from the nearby Indian Show. I would like to also mention that this will also sell Coonskin Caps made famous by none other than Davy Crockett. The interior of the store will be decorated with various things one would find in a typical Indian Tribe's home.
Thank you for reading about Rocksburg!