Like the rest of Disneyland, the small size of Frontierland astounded me. It was an amazing experience walking through the stockade gates for the first time, however, and seeing the Rivers of America in the distance.
Taking just a few steps from where the shot below was taken, you could end up in either Fantasyland or Adventureland. That blew my mind!
I didn't use any of the Disneyland mailboxes, but I should have! I'm surprised that these are still maintained when it seems like mailing postcards is mostly a thing of the past.
The Mark Twain and the Rivers of America are just as iconic to me as Sleeping Beauty Castle after seeing pictures of them for so many years!
I did get chills hearing the Mark Twain whistle for the first time.
Early morning along the Rivers of America waterfront is really something special, but few people stop and soak it in while running to their first attraction of the day.
I'm impressed that Disneyland still operates the Columbia and Mark Twain simultaneously now that the river has been shortened. Both were running at once every day I was at the park.
I wandered around the Mark Twain, checking out its different decks.
I was very happy to finally ride Walt Disney's riverboat, but even more exciting was the chance to ride Walt Disney's CANOES!
Our canoe guide asked us, "whose idea was it to ride the canoes?" and my family looked at me. "Don't let them pick the next ride!" was the guide's response.
Coming back into the dock, the Mark Twain barely avoids a head-on collision with the shore.
It has a much lower capacity than the Mark Twain, but there was no way I was going to miss the Sailing Ship Columbia!
The Columbia really feels like a "Walt-era" attraction.
This cast member was being trained on how to operate the cannon, and he seemed pretty happy with himself after firing it.
Looking down the ship's deck, we can see the updated scenery along the Rivers of America.
I would've loved to have ridden the Mark Twain or Columbia before the river was shortened. Here's the Lilly Belle car crossing the trestle. I wanted to ride in it, but they were like
NO for some reason.
The “below decks museum” on the Columbia has a wonderful musty smell, and it feels more untouched than most things in Disneyland. I felt like I was at a maritime museum, not a major theme park.
We had no "close calls" with either big boat while riding the canoes, which was a little disappointing. ;-)
The Mark Twain/Columbia landing is so quaint. It feels unchanged from the earliest days of the park.
I love the aesthetic of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and I would pay admission just to watch the operation of a Disney roller coaster--I can never believe how stellar their ride efficiency is compared to every other theme park I've visited.
I took these two pictures from the seating area of Rancho del Zocalo, which is right next to the BTMRR maintenance area.
I appreciated how the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue was sunken between the ride’s tracks and covered by trees.
Also on the Rancho del Zocalo patio is this tribute to the old Mineral Hall shop. I tried not to overlook any historical detail.
I got to ride Big Thunder at night a couple times. I love how the train speeds past Rainbow Ridge at its end, but I could've examined these buildings for so much longer!
I also had to search out the Big Thunder model in the Disneyland Hotel. It was a lot larger than I was expecting. I would’ve studied it longer if it hadn’t been 12:30 AM. (3:30 AM Eastern Time!)
Disneyland will always be a place of change, but it's safe to assume that the Petrified Tree will always be the same.
Despite being heavily modified in recent years, Frontierland feels like it still has a lot of Walt Disney’s influence in it. The Golden Horseshoe especially feels like a wonderful callback to Walt’s time. Although the show inside is just a solo pianist, it was still nice to see that there was some type of daily entertainment.
I'm glad the railing in the foreground of this shot was there, or else I might have fallen off the balcony!
The Tom Sawyer Island dock is easy to miss, but there was no shortage of people riding the rafts over to the island.
Disneyland's Tom Sawyer Island was pretty disappointing compared to the Magic Kingdom's version. It really did feel like a shell of its former self, with even many of the Pirate’s Lair theming elements removed.
At least t
he pontoon bridge was fun, and the caves were elaborate compared to those in Florida.I was surprised you could still reach the rear of Fort Wilderness even though the fort itself has been closed for many years.
I could have totally commandeered one of these spare canoes if I had wanted!
I don't have a lot to cover in Critter Country, so I'm just putting it at the end of this post. As this was possibly my final chance to ride Splash Mountain, I made sure to do it several times. I loved the “dip drop” midway through the ride. I also rode it in the evening, and I could make out more details because my eyes were adjusted to the dim lighting.
I appreciated this left-over piece from Bear Country. The Winnie the Pooh attraction is not a suitable replacement for the Country Bear Jamboree, in my opinion!
Splash Mountain's riverboat finale is spectacular compared to the smaller set piece in Florida. Unfortunately, some of the show lighting throughout the ride was not functioning.
It took me longer to get this post up than I had hoped, but Knott's Berry Farm is the next stop on our tour! Look out for that post in mid-October (hopefully). Thanks for reading!
At least the pontoon bridge was fun, and the caves were elaborate compared to those in Florida.
16 comments:
Inside the Frontierland entrance: I see they have plenty of bags of beans, oats, and coffee to get them through the harsh Anaheim winter. You can never be too prepared!
Mailbox: I wonder if they check the box for outgoing mail everyday? I suppose they do. And I wonder how often the box is empty when they check. I'd like to believe that many people still like to send a postcard that's postmarked "Disneyland" just for the novelty of it.
The first Mark Twain shot: There's nobody in the foreground! You said this is early morning, so I guess that explains it. This is a really nice establishing shot.
The Canoes: Ha! Did your family, in fact, let you pick the next ride?
Mark Twain approaching the dock: Lots of red-shirts on the upper deck... never a good sign. Consider yourself lucky that the MT didn't collide with the shore!
Columbia: Beautiful shot of the ship. It almost looks like it's part of the forest.
Cannon firing: Looks like he was aiming at Galaxy's Edge. Maybe that's why he was happy with himself. ;-)
The second Rancho del Zocalo shot of BTMRR: The lady in the front car is sporting a 'homemade' pair of Mouse ears. I'm sure her hairstyle was deliberate.
Rainbow Ridge: Thanks for these detailed images of the re-built town. I've never seen close-ups of this version of Rainbow Ridge before. I like the laundry hanging on the clothesline.
Big Thunder model: Wow, excellent view of a wonderful model! It's great to see BTMRR in its entirety, all at once.
"I could have totally commandeered one of these spare canoes if I had wanted!" You should have stuck one (or two) in your back pocket! I'm sure no one would have noticed.
Splash Mountain interior: That's a great image of the iconic riverboat set. Souvenir Guidebook worthy!
As always, nice, clear, colorful, well composed shots, Andrew. Thanks.
Wow...more great photography, Andrew! I like your choice of camera angles. I'm guessing that first shot was either taken from the upper deck of the Omnibus, or you were standing on top of the Walt statue.
I wonder if the mail sent from DL still gets a "Disneyland" postmark, or if it is just taken to the nearest post office and stamped with an "Anaheim" post mark.
I was thinking the same thing as "JB" when looking at that Columbia cannon pic. We can see the tips of rockwork from the new land sticking up. Maybe the Columbia crew members were hunting Ewoks.
I see in your Lilly Belle shot, that you also got the animatronic beaver that is about to collapse the trestle. It's too bad they wouldn't let you ride in the Lilly Belle. I wonder if it now can only be accessed through some kind of up-charge tour. I think it used to be included in the "Walking In Walt's Footsteps" tour, but I don't know if that tour still exists.
The little tributes to Mineral Hall, Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade, and Rainbow Ridge are nice, if we can't have the real things anymore. I do hope that Lillian's petrified tree remains in place indefinitely. Of course, I could see someone in top management saying that it would be a nice location for a churro cart, or for stroller parking. I could also see them using the excuse, "Does anyone these days really know who Lillian was?"
Ha, ha! I'm guessing that you know that the railing on the upper floor of the Golden Horseshoe was added in recent years. I guess it was considered to be too low, by today's standards. Or else, the people of today are just stupider and more careless than the people of 1955.
Fort Wilderness looks so sad all closed up. It looks like it came out of some kind of build-it-yourself kit.....and the person building it didn't even finish the project!
I wonder what they would do to someone who jumped in one of those extra canoes and took it for a trip around the river? I suppose when they finally caught up with that person, it would be the "Disneyland Jail" for them. I'm glad you didn't risk it! :-)
I'm hoping that when they redesign Splash Mountain, the America Sings animatronics will get worked into the new attraction. But I don't have high hopes for that. Sigh.
Thank you for another great "trip report" post, Andrew! Looking forward to your Knott's post, as well as more DL posts!
Andrew-
Another great post-! Let me echo TM's sentiment re: the shot of the entrance to Frontierland - that down angle makes the image postcard worthy, at the very least.
Those of us who grew-up with Disneyland are very used to its 'compactness', so that feels "normal". On the other hand, I've always had a fondness for the 'vastness' of WDW's Magic Kingdom, and have managed to appreciate both parks for each one's plusses & minuses.
Thanks for sharing these images, as they truly show the present-day version of Disneyland with its best foot forward.
Great photos Andrew. Again I love hearing impressions of Disneyland from “first timers” especially when they are already knowledgeable about it and it’s history.
The mail from the Disneyland mailboxes is collected daily and is sent to the post office on Ball Road behind Disneyland. The mail deposited in those boxes has never been postmarked “Disneyland” and is postmarked “Anaheim” there have been a few special occasions where the city of Anaheim set up a temporary postal station inside Disneyland and guests could have these postmarked with the special temporary “Disneyland” postmark. While postcards are not sold in the numbers they once were , guests still send them from Disneyland - the Disney Gallery Art Cards and Wonder Ground series sell very well. I myself have even dropped off bills in Disneyland mailboxes. The mailboxes at the entry , Main Street and most of the DCA mailboxes feature a small sign that explains the mail is collected daily and sent to the Anaheim post office.
Tokyo Disneyland recently released a miniature collectibles series of the various mailboxes located at TOKYO DISNEYLAND and TOKYO DISNEY SEAS .
At one time Knott’s Berry Farm had a actually functioning post office inside ghost town and was postmarked Knott’s Berry Farm.
With the exception of the Tomorrowland mailboxes - those date from 1967, and the round top Main Street mailboxes ( vintage refurbished) all the other Disneyland mailboxes are replaced with newly built ones as needed and none of them are older ( except the previous mentioned exceptions) than 1985 when ALL Disneyland Mailboxes were replaced. If you were lucky to visit the Disneyanna Shop in 1985 you could be one of the guests who could purchase one of the replaced mailboxes - including the double size ones no longer used and also the etched glass and rubbed oak stamp dispensers!!
JB, I know the stockpiled provisions inside the Frontierland entrance came up recently on GDB. Where’s the ammunition?
I don’t remember what we did after the canoes. We just thought that was a funny line from the CM. My family did appreciate the canoes because we wouldn’t have ridden them if it wasn’t for my suggestion! The cannon IS aimed at Galaxy’s Edge… :-D Rise of the Resistance blew me away, but I won’t be doing a full post on that land just because I know the opinion you and others have of it.
I didn’t notice the lady’s hairstyle on Big Thunder… too cool!
While I didn’t sneak a canoe out of the park, I did grab several handfuls of mulch from Tom Sawyer Island that I proceeded to sell on eBay for $100. I listed it as being original from 1956, tread on by Walt Disney himself!
Thanks for all the compliments about my photography that I don’t deserve, JB, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
TokyoMagic!, though I want to say that your second guess is correct, I did take the first shot from the Omnibus.
I think I might have heard the Columbia crew member mutter “take that, Wookie World” under his breath…
I didn’t actually ask to ride in the Lilly Belle. Maybe I should have, but I figured it would be a long shot. I think “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” is still a thing–have you ever done it? I doubt I would learn anything for the price! Haha
The Petrified Tree plaque doesn’t mention Lillian, so most people probably aren’t even aware of the Walt Disney connection. I agree that it should be removed so they can stuff two more strollers in the park. I might include a picture of it in my Fantasyland post, but the planter in front of the Sword in the Stone was always surrounded by strollers.
The Golden Horseshoe railing did block the view of the pianist a little bit. It didn’t stop me from hanging off the balcony by my ankles, though. If I wanted to steal one of the canoes, I would need a paddle. I wonder if I could get it past the security check… “I need this in case of emergencies.” Ok, I'll stop. Thanks for reading and for the comment!
Nanook, now that I’m looking at some of these pictures, it doesn’t look as crowded as I remember it. I guess that a day of light attendance at Disneyland is similar to a busy day at most other parks, especially now. I think EPCOT is the greatest example of how WDW’s “vastness” was put to good use. But Disneyland felt so endearing to me in a way that the Magic Kingdom will never imitate.
Mike Cozart, thanks for all the mailbox history and for answering the postmark question! I wish I had known about those 1967 Tomorrowland mailboxes you mentioned. Hopefully, you were able to pick up one of the old mailboxes when they were all replaced. ;-)
Andrew, I'm not as hard on Galaxy's Edge as some of the GDBers. While I don't like the fact that Disney took away some of the Rivers of America to make room for GE, I think that "WookieeWorld" actually is a pretty cool 'land' with a lot of immersiveness, interesting architecture, and rock formations. So don't feel like you have to cut short that part of your Disneyland report. :-)
“I could have totally commandeered one of these spare canoes if I had wanted!” This is why I always carry a collapsible paddle in my day pack. My wife thinks I’m crazy, but - well, that’s actually the whole sentence right there.
I have been greatly remiss at commenting, but I have been enjoying this entire series of posts on your visit. Just, well, life gets in the way sometimes. And then there’s that other blog where I have to turn in homework every day or I’ll get kicked out of class or stop getting smiley faces on my report cards or something - the pressure that guy puts on us is intense. He makes me do research papers on vintage buses - and I don’t even like vintage buses! I keep waiting for the final exam but I don’t think that class is ever going to end.
Don’t feel like you have to leave out Galaxy’s Edge from a future post. I know we grouse about it, but the pain has dulled a bit (I think the technical term is “resignation”) over the years, and I’m actually willing to give it a chance. It will be kind of nice to be able to experience part of Disneyland as a completely new thing. My son showed me the value of taking that attitude at Cedar Point last year. I sometimes secretly wonder if we old silverbacks are a little like William Shatner at a Star Trek convention circa 1990, making derogatory comments about The Next Generation without having actually watched the show and wondering why our jokes that landed in 1987 are now falling flat with the audience.
Can’t wait for the next installment (although I guess I’ll have to).
Andrew: I didn’t get a Disneyland mailbox ( but I used to have a 1971 WDW blue mailbox!!) in 1985 the Disneyanna Shop moved across the street from the Crystal Arcade and into the old Rings & Things jewelry Store : more spacious than its first location but still pretty small . Anyway , the shop was still moving things over and the mail boxes were on a back counter and some on the floor ….there was about 5 on display … but I figured they were there because of the changes and move and other rehab projects that had been going on …. Later that evening I thought about it and we went back and asked if they were selling the mailboxes … and the cast member said indeed they were and those in the back counter were all sold ( the ones in the floor were gone as they were being picked up to be sent to package picked after they were wrapped) the CM said they had been receiving them off and on all week and they were very popular. But that evening they had sold out.
During the 1970’s and 80’s the Disneyanna shops at both parks would sell off signs , props and marketing material when it became obsolete or was no longer needed. The Disneyanna shop had planed on selling some of the miniature Inner Space Atomobiles but WED imagineers were taking them … and the 2 dozen set aside for Disneyanna went “missing” from the Staff Shop where display bases with plaques had been created …
JB, I actually don't have enough pictures to do a Galaxy's Edge post. I spent a lot less time there compared to the other lands. But I do think it's a solid addition to the park, and they did a good job preserving Frontierland the best they could. I definitely see how people would be mad that the original Frontierland has largely been permanently removed.
Chuck, you leave the best comments. ;-) I'm anxiously awaiting your next great dissertation on vintage buses, and I completely understand that it takes precedence over commenting on my blog. See my reply to JB about Galaxy's Edge. While I'm not a big fan of it, I'm impressed by the effort they put in to save the Rivers of America.
Mike Cozart, oh, so you came so close to having a Disneyland mailbox! But while that would be cool to have, I'm sure that other things in your collection more than make up for it. I love your stories about the early days of Disneyana when a lot of valuable items were freely up for grabs... like the Atommobiles.
I think “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” is still a thing–have you ever done it? I doubt I would learn anything for the price!
Andrew, I have felt the same way about that tour. I've heard a few things about it over the years, and it doesn't sound like there would be any new information (for us, anyway) revealed.
Andrew, thank you for another terrific "you are there" post from your trip. Your beautiful pictures and fun commentary, along with everyone else's comments, always makes for an enjoyable read.
I echo what the others have said about Rise of the Resistance, and Galaxy's Edge. I want to hear about everything you experienced, from your point of view - without you worrying about what "we" might think. A young-set-of-eyes can help us to see things in a new and exciting way.
Am looking forward to your next post!
Andrew, I’m sorry this is so late! As always I love your trip reports and photos. I can only imagine how small Frontierland in Anaheim must seem, my friend Mr. X says that he loves the large size of the Florida version, and thinks that it is better than the SoCal version.
I really do wonder how many people mail cards from those Disneyland mailboxes! And do the cards get a “Disneyland” postmark?
So neat that you got to ride the Mark Twain (and hear that whistle), AND the Columbia. The Columbia appears to be berthed in Fowler’s Harbor in that one photo, maybe it didn’t operate all day? And it is so great that you took the time to do the Canoes. I don’t even know, do they have Canoes at the Magic Kingdom?
I’m sure firing the cannon is a highlight for any cast member, especially an overgrown boy who loves to “blow stuff up”.
Did you happen to notice if the waterfalls along the back edge of Frontierland were running? Mr. X was dismayed to see that they were off on his last visit.
Your photos of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad really show off the great rock work. And hey, I’ve never seen that model! I guess I haven’t spent much time at the Disneyland Hotel (never really had a reason to, to be honest).
I’m sorry that our Tom Sawyer Island was ruined, and did not know that much of the Pirate’s Lair theming had been removed! At least some of the stuff in the caves looked OK.
Smart that you rode Splash Mountain, at least we know that it is going away and we can take advantage of it while it’s still there. I’m OK with the Pooh attraction, it’s a “B” ticket (or maybe a “C”?), but as I have said, I was never much of a fan of the Country Bears. What can I say, I’m a crank.
THANK YOU for yet another excellent trip report!
Sue, I’m glad you enjoyed the report. I wish I had enough material to do a full Galaxy’s Edge post, but I just spent most of my time in the other lands. I will include my Galaxy’s Edge thoughts in the Tomorrowland post.
Major, it doesn’t matter to me when you comment… I’m just glad you do! Mike Cozart said that there has never been a “Disneyland” postmark, but I would be more than happy to have a card marked with an Anaheim stamp. It was hard to time it so I could ride the Columbia because it has a much lower capacity than the Mark Twain. It was open from 11-4 on most days I visited. Magic Kingdom used to have canoes, but they were removed in the 90s I think. Looking at other pictures I took, at least a couple of the Frontierland waterfalls were working, but it looks one of them may have been dry. I’m glad I took the time to see the Big Thunder model. I probably wouldn’t have thought that TSI was half bad if I hadn’t seen the Magic Kingdom version first, which is so much better. It makes sense that you weren’t a Country Bear fan–I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, even in Florida. Thanks for the comment! :-)
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