Frontierland Past

The Big Thunder Trail that wanders between Fantasyland and Frontierland is not only the place to find Big Thunder Ranch, it's a bit of a walk through Disneyland history. All around you are indications of elements from the park's past, from the surreys and buggies mentioned in yesterday's article to this Wanted poster for Alameda Slim from Disney's Home on the Range, left over from 2004, when the ranch was temporarily renamed "Little Patch of Heaven" to promote the film.

What most guests probably don't realize is that Big Thunder Trail also passes straight through the territory that was once Nature's Wonderland, the precursor to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The area was first traversed by Stagecoaches, Pack Mules and Conestoga Wagons, all of which were joined by the Mine Train in 1956 and operated until 1977 when Big Thunder was built.

Elements of the original attraction layout can still be found, though. Back along the trail is this natural arch, once part of the Living Desert scene. This and several other segments of Nature's Wonderland were directly inspired by Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures film series.

This boarded up tunnel and section of track once carried train passengers out toward the river and Cascade Peak. Two of the waterfalls on Cascade Peak (since removed) were named Big Thunder and Little Thunder, the origin of the name used for the whole area later on.

After passing the Rivers of America and Cascade Peak, the trains would then emerge from the tunnel below and cross a trestle bridge over Bear Country. It was here that a group of black bears could be found scratching their backs on the trees and grabbing for fish in the stream.

Part of the town of Rainbow Ridge has been preserved, too. The collection of buildings seen from the Big Thunder Mountain queue and along the final stretch of the ride was once found at the debarkation point for all the modes of transportation through Nature's Wonderland. This was also where you could sometimes spot Sheriff Lucky in hot pursuit of the nefarious Black Bart.

The sedate charms of Nature's Wonderland may have long ago been replaced by the thrills of runaway mine trains on Big Thunder Mountain, but close observers can still pick out some of the remnants of the past.

For a detailed look at Nature's Wonderland, be sure to check out this article over at the imagineeringdisney.com blog.

Halloween Roundup

Before we get back on the trail for the rest of our look at Frontierland, I wanted to share with you a bit more of the Halloween festivities from Disneyland. In the territory out behind Big Thunder Mountain is the Big Thunder Ranch. All year 'round, this is where you can visit critters like Courage and Carolina, the turkeys pardoned by the President last Thanksgiving.

From mid-September to the end of October, though, Big Thunder Ranch plays host to the Halloween Roundup, and everyone gets in the spirit of things.

Over at the Big Thunder BBQ, the stage and the tables are set for Miss Chris to have friends and kinfolk over. Notice the comedy and tragedy Jack-O-Lanterns atop the proscenium. Ahead of the main show, Tex Tumbleweed works the "room" with his guitar and some seasonal musical selections like "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh." He'll even give you a hearty Dr. Syn cackle if you coax him!

Nearby is a demonstration of pumpkin carving. Ask these artisans for some tips, and they'll gladly show you how they work their own brand of magic to transform gourds into ghouls.

Some of their handiwork is on display nearby on tables and in buggies and carts around the ranch. That's Jack Skellington and Sally in the surrey with the fringe on top outside the ranch house. Most guests don't know it, but these are the same surreys that traveled Main Street and the Central Plaza in Disneyland's early years.

Venture inside the ranch house, and you'll discover another Halloween treat: a series of vignettes of pumpkin heads celebrating the season. There's our gracious hostess, a couple ranch hands getting ready for a party and two fellas with real poker faces.

Well, as you read this Halloween has come to an end, so you'll have to wait until next year to see any of these great details for yourself. A couple things are still hanging on, though, before Christmas moves in. Out in El Zocalo, the town square in the heart of Frontierland, is a celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Day of the Dead, a tradition in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, honors friends and family members who have passed on. The celebration immediately follows Halloween, occurring over November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day).

For Dia de los Muertos, El Zocalo is filled with symbols like these calaveras. The Calavera de la Catrina ("elegant skull"), inspired by the work of Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, is a popular image on Day of Dead.

Since I missed being able to wish you a timely Happy Halloween, I'll go with Happy All Saints Day! See you back here tomorrow for more Frontierland from Disneyland.