The Little Things: Frontierland

Welcome back to The Little Things!  Over the past few editions, we've been sticking with the Magic Kingdom and we've looked at Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, and Adventureland, and today, I thought I would head back to Frontierland. 

Oddly enough, Frontierland has never been one of my favorites.  Don't get me wrong, it's done exceptionally well, but I always tend to take in the major attractions, but not spend a whole heck of a lot of time here.  I need to remedy that next trip.

With that being said, there are some great hidden gems found throughout the land that you should check out.  Here are just a few of my favorites.

One of the fun, but often bypassed attractions in this park is the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade.  Here, guests pay a small fee ($.50 for 25 shots, though you can purchase more) to have the opportunity to take your replica rifle and shoot a laser bullet at nearly 100 interactive targets and score points.  What's fun is that if you make a hit, the game will indicate by making a noise or a movement.  The game can actually last a while and it can be super fun to compete with your family members.  (Brian and I are super competitive at this kind of thing.) It is absolutely not something you expect to do on your vacation, but I can tell you, it is absolutely a fun diversion and yes, even though there is a cost associated with it, it is completely worth getting to do.

Are you a fan of irreverent and definitely hokey comedy?  Then look no further than my next tip.  Do not miss out on Country Bear Jamboree.  It can feel a little dated, but that's part of the attraction.  The songs are a little goofy, and some may find it some songs a little inappropriate (There was blood on the saddle...)  Most people find it all in good fun.  

If you are a fan of characters and dance parties, have I got a fun experience for you!  Make sure to take in the Frontierland Hoedown!  Here, some of your favorite rustic characters come out to do-si-do and perform line dances with guests!  It's also fun because a lot of unique characters take part, such as the Country Bears, Br'er Rabbit, and Clarabelle Cow.  Really, what could be better?

One of the biggest parts that I think people miss is Tom Sawyer Island.  Even I'm guilty.  I've done it a couple of times, but for the most part, this is one attraction I end up skipping.  I think part of the reason people skipping it is that it takes a while to get to.  You have to take a raft to not only get there, but also get back.  But once you do, there is a ton of fun things for the whole family to take part in.  Kids will especially like Injun Joe's caves (though they can be dark and somewhat claustrophobic, at least to me they were).  I particularly enjoyed the barrel bridge!  Perhaps the best part about heading over to Tom Sawyer Island are the views you can get that are so unique. 

Heading over towards Splash Mountain, there are a couple of great little gems that I absolutely love. The first is the Briar Patch shop.  Take a look inside as there are a ton of unique nods to this fantastic attraction.  Make sure to look up and all around, as the details are everywhere! 

Another one of my favorites is the Br'er Fox, Br'er Rabbit, and Br'er Bear statue that sits outside of Splash Mountain's entrance.   It's such a nice nod to the attraction and shows what mayhem you are in store for during your flume ride! 

My last Little Thing is found on Big Thunder Mountain.  Of course, be on the lookout for the name of the train you are riding on this wildest ride in the wilderness.  You should also be on the lookout for the show scenes which are sometime harder to see, with you whizzing right past!  But perhaps my favorite little detail is to ride Big Thunder at night.  The attraction takes on a different feel and the lighting is spectacular, but what I'm really talking about is to ride during the fireworks.  Now, I don't suggest doing this if you've never seen Wishes, but if you have, you get some great views of the fireworks while gliding along.  Then, after you get off the attraction, you can see the remainder of the fireworks from the exit.  Again, another very unique vantage point! 

So, that's my listing of my favorite details that can be found in Frontierland, but you know I know I missed something.  Let me know what that something is in the comments section or on the Facebook page!  Or let me know what I missed on Twitter. 

If you like this article, I shamelessly ask that you spread the word about A Disney World After All!  Share it on Twitter or Facebook...pin the photos on Pinterest, hit up the Google + emblem...just let others know about us here!  Also, make sure to LIKE our Facebook page and find me on Twitter, I'm @RikkiNibs!