What's the outlook on Frontierland?

[Pepper's Ghost]

I don’t think it’s going to be even that, you’re right on the IP but I suspect Frontierland is on the list to be fully removed/replaced.

Frontierland is on borrowed time. Once they are done with the Splash Mountain revamp the mouse is going to remove anything related to Frontierland (as a guess). If for no other reason that tying it into IP to whatever replaces it.

I acknowledge this is a possibility, but I try to hold on to hope that Disney as a company still tries to hang on to its past and what made it successful. Frontierland is something envisioned by Walt. It's part of Walt lore. I'd hope they'd recognize that and not do away with it. I think it'd be the same as if they decided instead of building a 5th gate which will never happen, that they tear down Epcot and build a new park in its place. Walt didn't build Epcot, but it was his vision... kinda. He envisioned a working city, but you take my point. Anyway, while it makes perfect sense to tear it down given the mess it is, I can't see them doing it. While Frontierland isn't as massive an undertaking like replacing Epcot would be, it was directly influenced by Walt.

Then again, so little of Walt's being is still part of what the Disney company is today. I don't think he'd be happy with what it's become. That doesn't directly influence my opinion. The man was gone many years before I was even born, but I love the product he produced and his vision.

 

[S.I.R. the Robot]

Western = boring. Tomorrowland is better (I hate every other land equally.)

 

[TomboyJanet]

Oh yeah they'll probably replace it with screen land where the entire land is just one big poor quality screen display and simulates you being in a theme park

 

[Brer Panther]

Taking all bets! Which IPs will replace Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Country Bear Jamboree?

 

[NickMaio]

The success of Epic Universe is our only hope that Disney will continue to develop further.
However, I think even with that, we are in for a LONG dry spell of nothing new.

Except those lovely after hours ticket events.

 

[sWANNISAX]

I think they need to develop the pecos to splash section of frontier land into new orleans. as you leave liberty square you can dress it a bit more Appalachian frontier, lead into new Orleans, and then out west and beyond with big thunder. Coco wouldn't be horrible just beyond that thematically.

 

[TomboyJanet]

The success of Epic Universe is our only hope that Disney will continue to develop further.
However, I think even with that, we are in for a LONG dry spell of nothing new.

Except those lovely after hours ticket events.

Just you wait for the brand new uber dooper super dee doo Aladdin first aid station!

 

[KeithVH]

I think they need to develop the pecos to splash section of frontier land into new orleans. as you leave liberty square you can dress it a bit more Appalachian frontier, lead into new Orleans, and then out west and beyond with big thunder. Coco wouldn't be horrible just beyond that thematically.

So far, this description makes the most sense. At least it would attempt to rectify several of the theming issues that have cropped up over the years. Then again, I'm not even sure if TDO cares about that anymore . . .

 

[Club Cooloholic]

They are going to totally ruin Frontierland, one of my favorite lands. By putting in 1920's New Orleans in a 1800's area.

Well, considering the Big Thunder Mountain features a T Rex skeleton and that wasn't discovered until 1909, there might never have been a set century for frontiertown anywho.

 

[KeithVH]

They are going to totally ruin Frontierland, one of my favorite lands. By putting in 1920's New Orleans in a 1800's area.

Well, considering the Big Thunder Mountain features a T Rex skeleton and that wasn't discovered until 1909, there might never have been a set century for frontiertown anywho.

Well, if they could at least get the theming consistency improved, that would be a start. And has been pointed out, the West, especially as a concept, just isn't a draw like it was 50+ years ago.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Well, if they could at least get the theming consistency improved, that would be a start. And has been pointed out, the West, especially as a concept, just isn't a draw like it was 50+ years ago.

Considering that they ripped out the penny arcade and old movie theater and plopped in more shops and a Starbucks in Mainstreet, I think Frontierland is holding on better than that part of the park.

 

[TomboyJanet]

Well, considering the Big Thunder Mountain features a T Rex skeleton and that wasn't discovered until 1909, there might never have been a set century for frontiertown anywho.

The wild west game Red Dead Redemption takes place like 5 years later than that so It kinda works

 

[S.I.R. the Robot]

Splash Mountain wasn't wild west themed either

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

well Frontierland at WDW will be getting a Princess log flume - the only thing that’s left is big Thunder, country bears and Tom Sawyer.

The parks are stripped way to much from what they once were already

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

Well, considering the Big Thunder Mountain features a T Rex skeleton and that wasn't discovered until 1909, there might never have been a set century for frontiertown anywho.

Good point about the T-Rex skeleton, but honestly, I don't think people are paying that close attention to years of discovery, and I don't think Imagineers of the past were looking for that kind of historical accuracy. Still a good point, but I'm willing to let them slide on that.

The part of the park that I've always felt was an empty corner and a complete void that I hate walking through is the path between PotC and Frontierland. After so much visual stimulation to that point, that path is such a letdown of nothingness. I wish they'd refine some of the space back there with an expansion. There's so much land back there for a whole new "land", or at least introduce a new dark ride there or something. What a waste! It'd be a great way to pull some of the crowds to that part of the park.

 

[Willmark]

I acknowledge this is a possibility, but I try to hold on to hope that Disney as a company still tries to hang on to its past and what made it successful. Frontierland is something envisioned by Walt. It's part of Walt lore. I'd hope they'd recognize that and not do away with it. I think it'd be the same as if they decided instead of building a 5th gate which will never happen, that they tear down Epcot and build a new park in its place. Walt didn't build Epcot, but it was his vision... kinda. He envisioned a working city, but you take my point. Anyway, while it makes perfect sense to tear it down given the mess it is, I can't see them doing it. While Frontierland isn't as massive an undertaking like replacing Epcot would be, it was directly influenced by Walt.

Then again, so little of Walt's being is still part of what the Disney company is today. I don't think he'd be happy with what it's become. That doesn't directly influence my opinion. The man was gone many years before I was even born, but I love the product he produced and his vision.

Walt’s Disney is largely gone and becoming more so.

The only thing I could see saving Frontierland is if they themed it to Woody.

A land featuring Woody, Jessie etc would be a great themed land. Add in Bullseye? It would be a smash, hence Disney won’t do it.

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

Walt’s Disney is largely gone and becoming more so.

The only thing I could see saving Frontierland is if they themed it to Woody.

A land featuring Woody, Jessie etc would be a great themed land. Add in Bullseye? It would be a smash, hence Disney won’t do it.

I can't deny anything you said. I just hold out hope. Btw, I'm not even a cowboy or old American frontier enthusiast of any kind. I grew up playing sports and working on cars. I just like the unique theme Frontierland offers. It's a glimpse (even tho it's not all that realistic) into a kind of cowboy fantasy kids/boys had in the early 20th century. I think it's a neat and unique experience for people today to have.

Just like Tomorrowland... no one sees Tomorrowland as a realistic futuristic view of the world anymore, but it's fun to experience how people saw the future in the 50s.

 

[Willmark]

I can't deny anything you said. I just hold out hope. Btw, I'm not even a cowboy or old American frontier enthusiast of any kind.

I am, hence my interest in the thread.

I grew up playing sports and working on cars.

Same, but not mutually exclusive

I just like the unique theme Frontierland offers. It's a glimpse (even tho it's not all that realistic) into a kind of cowboy fantasy kids/boys had in the early 20th century. I think it's a neat and unique experience for people today to have.

Agreed. It’s also why it’s likely on the chopping block.

 

[Brer Panther]

Agreed. It’s also why it’s likely on the chopping block.

Disney's not having any popular western IPs probably plays a part in that too.

 

[cjkeating]

Come to Disneyland Paris where we have a cohesive and cinematic Frontierland.