Scoping out Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade at Disney World
Some theme park rumors never die. They just circle around in an endless loop. Currently in heavy rotation is the unconfirmed notion that Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, a Magic Kingdom original, could be shut down.
The reasons behind that continue to be believable. The attraction – which features rifle replicas aimed at an Old West scene with cactii, tombstones, vultures and the like – is dated. It generates zero revenue. And whenever there’s a real-life shooting in the news, the cringe factor goes up.
Plus Frontierland is now in flux with the incoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (nee Splash Mountain), new version of Country Bear Jamboree and the Beyond Big Thunder project all within, well, shootin’ distance.
Country Bear Jamboree’s closing is latest Magic Kingdom rehab
I recently spent an extended stretch at the gallery, thanks to an afternoon thunderstorm. Here are five takeaways.
Like olden times
Like for all the vintage 1971 attractions, the nostalgia is real. It’s from a simpler time. And while it’s jarring to see a little princess fire away, is it really any worse than video games of mass destruction?
I chatted with Eric Brandon, a visitor from Detroit, who was introducing his children to the attraction.
“I haven’t been here in about 30 years,” he said. “I do remember this. My father is the one that got me into shooting. So he saw it, and we instantly partook.”
There’s also old-school humor involved that may remind folks of sister attraction Haunted Mansion – a little morbid, but with a rhyming scheme.
One Shootin’ tombstone: “Butch was nervous / his hand did shake / he drew on Luke / his last mistake.”
Free for all
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is included with regular Magic Kingdom admission.
“The fact that it’s free when you’re at Disney is actually so amazing,” Brandon said.
This hasn’t always been the case. Until 2021, the rate was 35 shots for $1.
Another change from the early days: The guns originally shot lead pellets, but the attraction switched to infrared light rifles in the early ’80s. The pellet phase harkens to an era when kids slept on a ledge beneath the back window of cars and lived to tell.
Early and interactive
Sure, it’s dated, but also ahead of its time. Hitting some targets – there are about 100 of them total – activates special effects. It’s not far afield of modern theme park activities/scavenger hunts such as A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure at Epcot or “Harry Potter” wands at Universal Orlando parks.
Some nice touches at the shooting gallery: Hit the bridge and see what may be a ghost walk around the slats. Or hit the gravedigger’s shovel and a skeleton pops up. Again you get the Haunted Mansion vibes.
In the town scene, shooters can make the saloon come alive.
Everyday escape
Being tucked away at Frontierland may have helped the arcade last this long. But the spot also offers valuable commodities: shade from the Florida sun and shelter from the storms. It’s also good for seating folks who don’t want to join the rest of their gun-slinging traveling party.
The no-nos
Finally, from the simple pleasures are best file, here’s a list of things Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade doesn’t have, but that’s OK.
The experience has no ammo, no scoring, no powering up, no prizes, no time limit, no Genie+ obligations, no intellectual property and no virtual queue.
Attractions quick hits
• Disney has announced even more animatronic animals destined for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opens sometime this summer at Magic Kingdom. This time it’s a foursome of frogs – Felipe, Mayra, Mondo and Isabel – playing Afro–Cuban music. Frogs on nearby logs are named Gloria and Delores. (Also in the lineup: Lari, an armadillo.)
• Walt Disney Studios Park, which opened at Disneyland Paris in 2002, is being renamed Disney Adventure World.
• A Bornean orangutan was born by cesarean section at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on April 13. Her name is Luna.
• Crayola Experience is prepping for Teacher Appreciation Week with a giveaway. Three randomly selected educators will be able to grab as much as they can in Crayola supplies for 64 seconds. There’s also a $5,000 prize for their school and 200 tickets for use this summer. Deadline to apply: 11:59 p.m. Sunday. More information: crayolaexperience.com/teacherspree.
• Island H2O Water Park is selling season passes for $69.99. Offer is good through April 28. Details: islandh2owaterpark.com.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
