The Secrets of Disney. The Parks

FRONTIERLAND SECRETS

The stage at the Magic Kingdom is filled with countless small details, most of which are easily overlooked, yet when discovered reveal another interesting element of the story. For example, take a look at the address numbers found in Frontierland.

Note how they are not in chronological order, but instead are designed to represent the year in which the building was constructed. The Hall of Presidents was built in 1787, while the Town Hall of Frontierland was built in 1867.

FRONTIERLAND SHOOTIN' ARCADE

Many guests pass by the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade unaware of its classic status dating back to Disneyland. It's one of the few attractions in the park which requires an extra fee. 35 shots for $1.00.

Be one of the first guests of the day to visit this attraction, and you may be rewarded with a few free rounds. Unknown to most guests, each morning random rifles at the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade are "pre-loaded" with rounds on the house.

A HIDDEN MICKEY SET IN STONE

Hidden out of view on the bridge to the lower section of Splash Mountain is a classic Hidden Mickey made of three stones. Look on the bridge support which faces towards Tom Sawyer Island.

TOM SAWYER ISLAND

Harper's Mill on Tom Sawyer island is another attraction element which pays tribute to a notable Disney Cast Member. Disney Legend, Harper Goff, was a Disney Imagineer, artist and production designer involved in the design and production of notable Disney films, as well as Main Street, U.S.A., the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and World Showcase at Epcot®.

It is rumored that the creaks and groans of the mill wheel of Harper's Mill on Tom Sawyer Island actually play "Down by the Old Mill Stream", however, we've listened and didn't find this to be the case. That said, make sure you find your way onto Tom Sawyer Island and peer inside Harper's Mill to see the large spinning gears. It's an attention to detail which really adds to the Tom Sawyer Island story.

A special prize awaits those guests who find this next secret...a FASTPASS to Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

At the beginning of each day, cast members hide a few paint brushes throughout Tom Sawyer Island. Each is covered in whitewash and reads, "Tom Sawyer Paintbrush - In order to complete his chores, Tom needs to whitewash Aunt Polly's fence. Unfortunately, in his play time, he managed to lose the brushes all over the island. If you happen to pick up this brush, please return it to the raft driver. Remember only one brush per family. Thank you." Lucky Guests who find a paintbrush may return it to the raft driver and receive a FastPass for Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain, which is valid all day long. If you arrive late to the island, keep looking, as it sometimes takes Guests most of the day to find all the different brushes.

BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD

Ask someone in the know, and they will tell you that where you sit on some attraction vehicles makes all the difference in the world. Want to make your ride on Big Thunder Mountain even more exciting? Enter the queue line and ask a Cast Member if you may sit in the back car of the attraction where the "wildest ride in the wilderness" is even wilder.

Disney Imagineers' attention to detail in Walt Disney World queue lines is legendary, and Big Thunder Mountain is no exception. As you make your way through the queue, pay attention to the authentic antique mining gear, all of which was discovered by Disney Imagineers in the West and brought in specifically for this attraction. In addition, don't walk past that case of dynamite without noticing the company label, "Lytum & Hyde Explosives Company."

Hidden Mickeys can be found throughout the Magic Kingdom, and Big Thunder Mountain holds a classic, though you'll have to look quickly if you want to catch it. As your mine train finishes its run and returns to the mine, look off to the right just before you round the bend back into the loading area and you'll notice one large gear and two smaller ones on the ground, all arranged as a classic Hidden Mickey.

Pass by the town of Tumbleweed at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during the day and you'll notice that things are awfully quiet, as the miners are out working in the mines, but at night the town comes alive with lights, noise and music.

It passes by so quickly it's difficult to see, but as you roar past the flooded town of Tumbleweed, notice the wagon of Professor Cumulus Isobar, the Rainmaker. Look quickly, and you'll find the professor himself leaning out the front door over the flood waters. His name, of course, is a nod to Disney Imagineer's sometimes whimsical nature, as "Cumulus" is a type of cloud and "Isobar" is a measure of barometric pressure.

SPLASH MOUNTAIN

As you make your way through the attraction, you'll begin to round a bend and spot Brer Fox holding Brer Rabbit inside a bee hive. Before reaching the bend, look up and spot a critter in the ceiling known by many as the "FSU Weasel," which periodically emerges and shouts something. Some believe he says, "FSU!", while others believe it's "If I's you!", a nod to the storyline which tells you at this point in the ride "I'd be turnin' around, if I was you.", for it is here you begin your climb to the 52 foot plunge into the briar patch!

This next secret is discovered only by those who make the effort to ride the Grand Circle Tour of the Walt Disney World Railroad, and of those who do see the secret, it usually takes them by surprise. Board the Walt Disney World Railroad and keep watch to the right hand side as the train passes into Splash Mountain. Guests are treated to a fun perspective of other Guests riding Splash Mountain as they make their way through the musical scene with the "Zip-A-Dee Lady" paddlewheeler.

The "Zip-A-Dee Lady" paddlewheeler scene also holds another classic Hidden Mickey, which, though easy to see, is a bit difficult to decipher. As you make your way through the scene in the hollowed-out Splash Mountain log, look up and to the right of the paddlewheeler to find a large cloud. Study it carefully, and you'll find it's actually an image of Mickey Mouse lying on his back.

Parents wishing to give children a rest can find the Laughin' Place play area under the train trestle by Splash Mountain. It can also be a great place for children to play while parents enjoy a ride or rest.

FRONTIERLAND TRAIN STATION

As you make your way through the queue to board the Walt Disney World Railroad, notice the door to the left at the top of the ramp. The Morse Code you hear coming from behind the door is Walt Disney's opening day speech at Disneyland in 1955.