"Howdy folks. Please keep your hands arms and legs inside the train and remain seated at all times. Now then... hang on to them hats and glasses, 'cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness."

As you travel deeper into Frontierland, you begin to see an unusual rock formation that towers above the remaining frontier. Just like in the beautiful deserts of the west, this formation looks as if it took hundreds of years to materialize. Erosion of wind and water helped to form the uniqueness and majesty. Oddly enough, trains can be heard racing through the structure accompanied by occasional screaming. This is Big Thunder Mountain. And one Big Thunder Mountain Railroad winds its tracks through the rugged terrain. If you brave this structure and enter the runaway railroad car, you will be up against, bats, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites, rattlesnakes, coyotes and nearby blasting. That's just the environmental danger. Never mind the twisting and turning and drops of the train itself. It truly is the wildest ride in the wilderness.

You may see abandoned train tracks and mining cars scattered throughout Frontierland. Some of them you can see directly across from Big Thunder and even some from the Rivers of America. That isn't just theming, but some of that was once the Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland. But that was removed along with the Living Desert and Rainbow Ridge to make room for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Some elements of that old attraction made it into Big Thunder such as the Rainbow Caverns, and the scaled down store fronts near the end of the ride. I never went on the Mine Train. At least I don't think so. I would have been pretty young.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a favorite among guests (and me). It is considered to be one of the more intense attractions and those who have heart conditions or are pregnant shouldn't ride. Yet I know many people that can't handle Space Mountain and the Matterhorn, but they love Big Thunder. It truly is great fun and I highly recommend it. If you haven't been on it, it can be a little hard to see how long the line might actually be because it winds down behind some rocks and into a small canyon. But the line does move pretty quickly and the wait never seems all that long. There is a FastPass distribution station but I don't think you really need it. But it's your prerogative. Just don't miss this great runaway train ride.

Howdy Shootin' Dude! I suppose you think you're a pretty good sharpshooter. I know that you've been lookin' for a venture to prove that very fact all day long. I know you have. So here's an opportunity to take your friends on or to see what you can prove to yourself. Put in a couple of quarters and do your shootin' thing. You know what though? It takes a very special kind of sharpshooter to hit all of those targets. It takes even more of a special shooter to hit them all at the same time. You could always just take a flash picture and hit all of those targets with a single trigger pull. Or you could always obey that sign that warns against such recklessness.

Take a ride on the Rivers of America in a southern style. Board the Mark Twain Riverboat and be ready for a nice, quiet, and fun ride which can be a little refreshing on an otherwise hot summer day. The dock for this riverboat is at the end of the Frontierland alley. Just walk down the road from the Frontierland gates and you will find yourself at the entrance to this river expedition. As you travel you get a wonderful view of Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and the frontier wilderness behind Tom Sawyer Island. Let's not forget that best of all, you get the right of way when there are canoes in the water. Just look at that big paddle wheel as it goes around and around and around and around and around. It is a true riverboat that was as I understand it partially constructed here at Disneyland and partially at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. What was that? Is Mark Twain on board? Of course not. That's a silly question. He's dead but you will find a brass band that will board along with you on occasion. And like the sailing ship Columbia, this vessel also has a role in Fantasmic. So there's another reason to catch that great show.

Ahoy there. Climb aboard the replicated sailing ship Columbia for a ride around the Rivers of America. And class, for 500 points... What was the Columbia? Correct. It was the first ship to circumnavigate the globe which it completed in 1787. And now it has circumnavigated its way here to Frontierland at Disneyland. Well, sort of. Interestingly enough, the ship was mostly built on location here at Disneyland. It truly is a beauty complete with all the riggings (but no sails). The ship is powered by a diesel engine instead of the Anaheim winds. Don't forget to take a look below decks where you can see recreated displays from the 18th century.

The Columbia is another great way to circle Tom Sawyer Island on the Rivers of America. The ride isn't too long and I believe it takes under 15 minutes. The ship does not always sail and there are many days that I don't see it in operation at all. Hopefully you can catch it on a day when it is accepting visitors. As I have made mention many times before, do not miss Fantasmic. Why this time? Keep your eyes open for the Columbia during the show (not that you could miss it).

I believe the Indian name for this island is Island of Skinned Knee. That's just a little joke. Tom Sawyer Island is right in the middle of the Rivers of America and holds a good amount of the heart of Frontierland. It's a great place for kids to run around, play games, and jump up and down on suspension bridges. Wait. You're not supposed to do that last one. The whole place is an area of fun exploration. There is also Fort Wilderness near the far end where you can buy those really large dill pickles. Those things are fantastic. Tom Sawyer Island also comes complete with rocking rocks, caves, a treehouse, floating bridges, watermills and even an Indian burial ground. The caves I thought were always the best part. They are great for kid games and for cracking your skull open. Since it is an island, you have to get there by way of raft. The queue starts on the edge of the river and you get rafted across by a cast member decked out like Tom Sawyer himself.

I was never much a huge fan of Tom Sawyer Island. But I also was never that much of an active kid. I looked at it as valuable time lost that could be spent in line for something else. Some of my friends though could have spent a couple of hours there with no problem. I have been over there though more times than I can remember and I have fun (still) when I go. It's just that I don't think it's ever my suggestion to go over there. The caves seem really small now too. That reminds me... At the fort, there are these lookout towers and there used to be guns mounted in there that would make a gunshot noise when you pulled the trigger. Remember those? They have become yet another Disneyland memory.

This store is the first on the left hand side when you enter the wooden gates of Frontierland. It's a fairly large store that actually connects with Adventureland in the back. The western theme is equally strong here. Just take a look inside. One of the first things you notice is a cool looking, beautiful tree that was built inside complete with fall leaves and colorful lights. There are iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling which give soft warm light to the rooms. There is also a video projector showing scenes from Toy Story 2 and Pocahontas. Wonderful.

You can find hats, pens, keychains, plush toys and all sorts of other standard items in the Frontierland theme. There is also plenty of Toy Story (mostly Jesse and Woody) and Pocahontas material. See how that all ties together with the video? Hmm? There is also plenty of clothing and a bin near the back of the store full of tumbled stones from Frontierland Mining. Just take a small bag from the cart and fill it up with the stones of your choice. You're a real pioneer now.

As you exit Big Thunder Mountain and make your way towards the greater Frontierland area, you will pass a covered wagon on the right and notice a very familiar smell catching your attention. You turn and see a covered wagon selling french fries... McDonald's french fries. Sometimes I'm surprised at how long the line can get and don't count on it always being open. Many times during my visit have I walked by closed service windows.

Now I love McDonald's fries... Quite possibly more than the next person. But there is something that bothers me about selling them at Disneyland. Maybe it's the fact that you can buy them outside the park for $2 less than at the Conestoga wagon. It's the same thing that bothers me about see sponser names plastered over attractions and restaurants. But what am I talking about? They're just fries right?
-Hosted by McDonald's-

Right in the middle of Frontierland and across from the Rivers of Adventure, you will find the Golden Horseshoe. It is a very popular attraction here at Disneyland, especially with Disneyland lovers. What is the Golden Horseshoe? It's all about the old west. It is basically an opera house style saloon and stage taken from the 1800s. Inside you will find a variety show full of song and laughs currently starring Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. This show also rotates on occasion with the Golden Horseshoe Variety Show. After eagerly waiting on the western boardwalk outside, you make your way inside to a beautiful interior full of Disney detail. When you enter the main room you see a stage along the far wall with big red draping curtains. Tables and chairs line the floor in front of it. Then there is the bar for food and drinks off to the right. It is easy to see that everything from the floor to the ceiling is given immense thought. But hurry up and find a seat for the show will be starting soon. If you can get them, there are also some balcony box seats next to the stage available too.

So the show's starting soon, but not yet. Take this opportunity to have someone in your party hold on to the seats you grabbed while you get up and get some good eats. Just sally up to the bar and say, "Howdy". The food here is the basic small meal variety like burgers, hot dogs, chips, and Coke. But you'll be watching the show soon and you won't be able to get something else for a while. Why? You won't want to miss the show and that means you'll want to wait until the show's over before you get something else. Can you wait that long? Speaking of the show... The show itself is very entertaining. You'll be laughing and cheering all through this classic Disneyland western showpiece. Just don't choke on your food.

The Golden Horseshoe opened in July of 1955. It used to be the Golden Horseshoe Revue, but that was changed in late 1986. The name isn't the only thing that's changed. The stage shows themselves have changed a lot since its 1955 opening. Different talent gets headlined and routines change to keep them fresh. There is one performer that deserves mention. He name was Wally Boag. Walt Disney originally hired him for a limited run at the Golden Horseshoe and ended up staying for approximately 25 years. Now that's a Disneyland legend. Regardless of the show changes though, Walt wanted to insure that it would always be about lighthearted entertainment that visitors would want to catch again and again.

The Golden Horseshoe is also an attraction that is extremely easy to miss. The building doesn't draw a lot of attention and there aren't always long queues in front. People walk by without giving it much thought. There are only a set number of shows a day and seating is limited. Also, the Golden Horseshoe is not open everyday. Check your Disneyland Today to see if you can see a show during your visit. If you have been to Disneyland and haven't been to see the Golden Horseshoe, shame on you. Try to catch it the next time you go. And those who have seen it, well I don't need to tell you to see it again.

Hola Senor. Como estas? Come one and all, and everyone who is hungry to the Rancho del Zocalo. Here at the Rancho del Zocalo you can enjoy some fine Mexican cuisine. The Mexican theme is complete with very Spanish style architecture, fountains, tile and iron work. The lanterns, chairs, and even the planters all work well together. And to eat? Some of the main dishes to choose from include nachos, tacos, and taco salads. But there are also ribs, barbecue platters, barbecued chicken, chili and sandwiches. Certainly you can find something here that you would like. I don't remember the barbecue items being here before the remodeling. Rancho del Zocalo used to be called Casa Mexicana, but was recently remodeled to bring you what we have here today. Perhaps when they closed the Big Thunder Barbecue at the Big Thunder Ranch, they brought some of those items here. I could be wrong though.

So grab a tray and make your way through the line and find a nice spot on the covered outside patio. And don't forget that this eating venue is backed by Ortega... one of the leaders in American Mexicana. I don't eat here very often, but it's never because I don't like the food.
-Hosted by Ortega-