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After months of speculation, it seems Disney is officially done with Frontierland.
Credit: Allen Castillo. Flickr
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During Disney’s annual D23 event, the company revealed it was working on a massive new project in and around Frontierland. Details were kept vague, but the project was titled “Beyond Big Thunder,” referring to the iconic roller coaster found inside Frontierland, one of many themed lands at Magic Kingdom.
This reveal shocked the Disney theme park community, though in the months since, Disney has yet to officially announce anything. However, recent changes point toward a total retheme of Frontierland.
Credit: Inside the Magic
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Magic Kingdom is home to several lands, all of which are iconic in their own ways. Fantasyland is perhaps the most popular and recognizable, featuring classic Disney dark rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, “it’s a small world,” and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Tomorrowland features two of Magic Kingdom’s most thrilling attractions: Space Mountain and TRON: Lightcycle / Run. Both of these exhilarating roller coasters pack a punch, with wait times easily exceeding one to two hours.
As the name suggests, Adventureland is filled with adventurous experiences, like the legendary Pirates of the Caribbean and the beloved Jungle Cruise. Guests can find the Haunted Mansion and The Hall of Presidents nearby in Liberty Square.
However, Frontierland is now the most exciting land to discuss regarding Magic Kingdom, with The Walt Disney Company hinting at its total makeover.
Credit: Disney
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Several factors point toward a Frontierland overhaul, like the recent closure of Country Bear Jamboree earlier this year. This attraction will return soon, but the version that has been in operation is gone forever. Recent reports suggest that the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade will also close soon, making way for a new Disney Vacation Club member lounge.
Of course, Frontierland’s most significant change came in early 2023 with the closure of Splash Mountain. This beloved log flume ride shut down forever to make way for a new, reimagined ride experience based on Disney’s 2009 film The Princess and the Frog.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the name of the new ride, and excitement for this new attraction could not be any higher. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open later in 2024, marking a new era for Frontierland and Magic Kingdom.
Other rumors suggest that Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, a popular quick-service location, will close down and be rethemed to better fit with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure later this year. Now, a recent change further indicates that Frontierland will soon be no more.
Work recently wrapped up on the Frontierland portion of the Walt Disney World Railroad, with the station being rebuilt and renovated. However, Frontierland is not mentioned at all on the new signage, indicating Disney is gearing up to drop the land entirely.
Photos of the new signs were shared online by @FiBelleFi.
Note: The new sign does not say “Frontierland” Railroad Station like the old one (at left)
Note: The new sign does not say “Frontierland” Railroad Station like the old one (at left) https://t.co/fYDOffQqE5 pic.twitter.com/uMVd0h2ngf
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) April 23, 2024
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Previously, these signs noted this was the Frontierland entrance. However, the new signs now just note that this is the “Railroad Station Entrance.”
The Walt Disney Company recently pledged to spend a whopping $60 billion on its theme parks over the next decade, with new and exciting projects on the way. Disneyland is set to expand in a major way following the approval of Disney’s Disneyland Forward expansion project earlier this year. In the coming years, Disneyland will also receive its own version of Pandora in an Avatar-themed expansion.
This massive budget gives Disney ample room to overhaul Frontierland.
Even the Walt Disney World website suggests Frontierland will significantly change in the coming months and years.
But hold your horses, we’re not done yet,” the post reads. “We have a lot of growth and investment planned for our theme parks in the coming years and look forward to sharing more announcements about Frontierland … so y’all come back now, ya hear?
Stay tuned for all future Disney updates!
This post originally appeared on Inside the Magic.
