After the eerie thrills of New Orleans Square, we were ready for something totally different—Frontierland, where the Wild West comes to life. Jake was excited about a more action-packed experience, Annie was mostly in it for the churros (again), and Bill just wanted to see “real cowboy stuff.” Henry was in story-telling mode and trying to convince Ella that her Dad was actually a cowboy. Good enough for me!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
There was no debate—our first stop had to be Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This ride is fast but not too scary, making it the perfect choice for my little thrill-seekers. Jake was all in, hyping up the ride to my younger two like they were a seasoned coaster. Annie was nervous but determined. And Mr.Henry? Confident—until we got on.
As the train chugged up the first hill, I could feel Annie gripping my arm tighter. Then we dropped, and suddenly, it was pure chaos—laughing, screaming, and me making sure nobody flew out of their seats. By the time we pulled back into the station, Bill was claiming it was “too easy” (despite looking completely stunned just moments before).
Shooting Straight at the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
Next, we slowed things down a bit with the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition. Basically, it’s an old-school shooting gallery with light-up targets and sound effects. Jake took it very seriously, Henry was mostly excited when he actually hit something, and Bill had absolutely no idea what was happening but kept pretending to be a cowboy anyway. Ella was the best cheerleader ever for the three cowboys (1 senior and 2 junior). Annie was standing with a poker face but also snapping some cool pics of her Dad and brothers.
It’s one of those simple, classic Disney attractions that doesn’t get a ton of attention but is totally worth stopping by—especially when you need a break between rides.
Tom Sawyer Island: The Ultimate Explorer’s Playground
We took a little detour over to Tom Sawyer Island, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day. After so many structured rides and attractions, letting the kids run wild in a giant play area was exactly what they needed.
We crossed the rickety barrel bridge (which led to a very dramatic near-fall from my middle child), explored the caves (which my youngest was convinced were “actual pirate hideouts”), and climbed up to Fort Wilderness. As usual Jake took charge, leading the way and making sure we “stayed on the right path” like some kind of expedition leader. Meanwhile, I was just happy to sit down for five minutes.
Churros, Turkey Legs, and the Classic Frontierland Snack Break
Frontierland is famous for its snacks, so of course, we had to grab something before moving on. Bill and Ella finally got their churro, Jake for the legendary turkey leg (which was, frankly, way too big for one person), and Henry and I somehow ended up with both popcorn and a lemonade. I have no idea how he managed to convince me to get both, but here we are.
Final Thoughts: Frontierland Wins for Adventure
Between thrilling rides, fun little games, and the wide-open space of Tom Sawyer Island, Frontierland was a total hit. It had just the right mix of excitement and exploration, and I could tell the kids felt like they were really stepping into a different time.
Next up? Critter Country—where things get a little more laid-back (and a lot more soaked).