Chapter 13 - Magic Kingdom - Frontierland Part 2        posted Nov 2017

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Tom Sawyer Island
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Pecos Bill Tall Tale Café
Just in case you missed it in Chapter 12 - Frontierland Part 1, we put the Background Music Loop up front so you can enjoy it while reading this chapter.
In the previous Chapter, we began our tour of Frontierland with a visit to Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Now we’re going to head down off the mountains and tour the rest of Frontierland. Frontierland is the only Land in the Magic Kingdom that is not directly adjacent to Cinderella’s Castle. So let’s venture on, here is where we’re going:
  • Tom Sawyer Island
  • Waterfront Walkway
  • Westward Ho Refreshments
  • Big Al’s
  • Pecos Bill Tale Tail Inn and Café
  • Meet & Greet
  • Frontierland Hoedown Happening
  • Prairie Outpost and Supply



At the end of the previous Chapter, we’ve just gotten off the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, so the next stop just across the Rivers of America is



americantourister.com

Tom Sawyer Island

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Mark Twain died when Walt Disney was still young and living in Marceline Missouri, which was much like Mark Twain’s Hannibal Missouri. Disney definitely admired the works of Mark Twain, so much so that he personally designed an attraction with direct references to Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn’s world.
Tom Sawyer Island sits in the middle of the Rivers of America. In Disneyland the steamboat circling the Island is called Mark Twain, however in Walt Disney World is was named the Liberty Belle.

Tom Sawyer Island is a place to stop and take a break in the shade, especially during the hot Florida months. But it’s also a place to adventure and explore.
 Throughout the Island there are constant references to the tales and adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. The Rafts that service the Island are named after Mark Twain’s favorite characters: Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Becky Thatcher, and Injun Joe and even the dock on the Island is called Huck’s Landing.

The Island can only be reached by a Raft.


Traveling around the right side of the Island guests reach Harper’s Mill. The mill is a working grain mill, similar to those that once ran on the Mississippi River. There are two different backstories about how Harper's Mill got its name.     One says that the mill is named after Imagineer Harper Goff who helped design both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The other states the mill is named after Joe Harper, who joined Tom and Huck when they ran away in Mark Twain's novel. 

Actually both backstories work.

Inside Harper’s Mill, you'll find reference to the 1937 Disney Silly Symphony, "The Old Mill". In the cartoon, a strong thunderstorm begins to rage outside of a rundown mill, which causes the gears inside the mill to begin to turn. Resting in the gear is a mother bluebird and her eggs, which it seems will surely get crushed. Luckily one the gears is missing one of its teeth, thus saving the bird. If you look inside the mill you’ll see the cartoons counterpart.
Over in Hollywood Studios, guests visiting the “One Man’s Dream” exhibit can see a scene out of this cartoon and how it was made using the multi-plane projector.
Disney Information:
When Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park first opened in October of 1971, the price of adult admission cost $3.50.
Following the path, guests pass by a partially painted fence that Tom convinced his friends Ben Rogers, Johnny Miller, and Billy Fisher to whitewash.
As you proceed guests will come upon Aunt Polly's cottage. Here guests can sit and relax on a large, waterfront porch. A restaurant named Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn was once open here, but the restaurant closed in 2007 (although it briefly reopened in 2015) and may be used seasonally.
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Yes, it does occasionally rain at the Magic Kingdom
As you continue past Aunt Polly's cottage and up a hill, guests will come upon the Scavenger’s Fort. Here, Tom and Huck have made a makeshift playground out of ship parts, lumber wood, and barrels (the roof of the fort is even made out of an old life boat).
As guests come down the other side of the hill there is Old Scratch's Mine. You can explore the old bumpy mine. Traveling through the dark passage and hearing bats chirp overhead, guests will come upon a large deposit of glowing gems. Old Scratch was a pre-civil war name for the devil, giving the mine a very ominous name. A sign outside of the mine reads:

"I have explored many old mines, but this one is the best ever! Strange things happen in here so keep a sharp eye out and don't stop for nuthin!"

Near the entrance to Old Scratch's Mine, is Injun Joe's Cave. In Mark Twain’s story “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, Tom witnessed Injun Joe murder Doc Robinson, and was later trapped in the cave with him. As guests explore the cave, they will come upon a rock formation that looks eerily like a face. Further down, they cross a wooden bridge which seems to be suspended over the bottomless pit that Injun Joe fell in. Both Injun Joe's Cave and Old Scratch's Mine have one way walkways, which deposit guests on the other side of the island. Outside of Injun Joe's Cave, is a warning sign that states:

Do not wurry...Injun Joe aint been seen in thess parts for along time. Hiz cave is deeserted! p.s. if n you want to maybe you could wurry just a little bit- Tom
Located near Injun Joe’s Cave, is another place guests can explore, Potters Windmill. Guests can actually go inside. After traveling up a winding staircase and reaching the top of the mill, guests can look out and get some stunning views of the Magic Kingdom.
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On the other side of the island near Aunt Polly’s Cottage, guests can cross the barrel bridge. Getting across the bridge isn’t an easy task. The barrel bridge leads guests over to Smugglers Cove, which gives guests more great views of the park.
Further north on the Island is a suspension bridge. This is unique to the Disney World version of Tom Sawyer Island. Many guests may not realize it but, Tom Sawyer Island is actually made up of two islands. (slide show below)

Across the bridge is Pappy’s Fishing Pier, where guests can take a break and relax. From the pier, guests can also watch the runaway trains on Big Thunder Mountain.
Settler's Cabin is another interesting site on the island. This scene depicts a sleeping settler outside his cabin. The cabin used to be referenced on the Liberty Belle, and the cabin would actually look like it's on fire. Due to the deterioration of the pipes however, the cabin is no longer on fire and the scene is no longer mentioned on the boat.
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Fort Langhorn

On the second Island is Fort Langhorn. Fort Langhorn, which was named using Samuel Clemens' middle name. Until 1996 the Fort was named Sam Clemens but was renamed Fort Langhorn in order to tie in at the time with the Disney’s movie, “Tom and Huck”
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Located in the fort is a blacksmith's shop where guests can see an Audio Animatronic blacksmith. Above the shop, guests will find cannons, which are pointed out towards the Rivers of America (the canons do not actually fire). If guests want to find something that does shoot, they can climb up the watchtowers located in the fort where they can take up rifles and shoot (blanks) at passing boats. For a more relaxing time, a checker board can also be found within Fort Langhorn. The Fort even has an Escape tunnel that take you outside the fort near the River, which gives a great view of the passing Steamboat.
It’s time to return to Huck’s Landing and the take the Raft back to the rest of Frontierland.
As you leave the dock area guest will find that there are two way to travel through Frontierland, the Main Street or the

Waterfront Walkway

Frontierland also has a Water Front Walkway. One of the ways to avoid the crowd on the main thoroughfare down Frontierland is by this wood planked walkway. It almost feels secluded. The Walkway overlooks the Rivers of America and guests get a grand view of Tom Sawyer Island. You’ll also get a close up view of the Liberty Belle as it steams by.
The Walkway goes from Splash and Big Thunder Mountains all the way to the Liberty Belle in Liberty Square.
Here are some views of and from the walkway:
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and you never know who you may meet

Let’s switch over to the main thoroughfare of Frontierland and visit some of the street vendors.
 As guests coming over the bridge from Splash or Big Thunder Mountain, the first stand that they encounter is

Westward Ho Refreshments

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Westward Ho Refreshments was originally themed to look like an Old West covered wagon. Westward Ho was the name of a small gift shop located in Frontierland. Situated right next door to the Country Bear Jamboree (in the space currently occupied by Prairie Outpost & Supply), the Westward Ho shop operated from December 1971 until 1973. The current Westward Ho Refreshments opened in the fall of 2011.
Westward Ho Refreshments sells mostly refreshments, however corn dogs and assorted chips are also available.

Big Al’s

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Big Al is the Blood on the Saddle singing bear from The Country Bears Jamboree and he’s opened up his own shop!  Big Al's is located across from the Country Bear Jamboree.
Here guests can purchase Old West themed merchandise to further their frontier adventure with provisions like coon skin caps, cowboy hats or personalized sheriff’s badge.

With this walking and exploring on Tom Sawyer Island and the Waterfront Walkway, it time for a break and what better place than at…..

Pecos Bill Tale Tail Inn and Café

Disney Information:
More than 50 million Cokes are consumed at the Disney Parks each year. You won’t find any Pepsi products on Disney property, as Disney has a contract with the Coca-Cola Company.
Pecos Bill has gone through some big changes, the entire menu has been overhauled. From the typical Hamburger and BBQ pork sandwiches, the menu now features a Southwestern cuisine and a complete fix’in bar. There are nachos, burgers, burritos and even Churros.
It’s still a quick-service restaurant with plenty of indoor, and patio seating in multiple dining rooms.
To see the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe menu:
The restaurant opened as Pecos Bill Café, with the rest of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Pecos Bill Café was originally connected to another Frontierland restaurant, the Mile Long Bar. In 1998, the Mile Long Bar and Pecos Bill Café were closed and combined into one restaurant.

Note: The Moose, Buffalo, and Elk heads that are seen in the Country Bears Jamboree were originally in the Mile Long Bar.
 
At this time the establishment was renamed Pecos Bill Tale Inn and Café. Besides just getting a new name, Pecos Bill also received new decorations, more a seating, and a new backstory.
In October 2015, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café menu changed to a Southwest/Mexican restaurant.
 
Most guests assume that Pecos Bill’s is just a restaurant, you need to go inside because it’s also a museum showing some of America’s Wild West History, Folklore, and Tall Tales.
But first let’s check out…

Backstory of the Tall Tale Inn and Café

Inside the restaurant, near the stone fireplace, the story of Pecos Bill is written on a piece of rawhide. The story reads

"Considered by many as the meanest, toughest, roughest cowboy of them all, Pecos Bill has been credited for inventing all things western, from rodeos to cowboy dancing, to spurs, hats and lassos. He can draw faster, shoot straighter and ride a horse harder than any man alive.
Unfortunately, we don’t know when and where he was born, just that he was raised by coyotes and that his name comes from the river in Texas. Over the years, Pecos Bill along with his trusty horse, Widowmaker, have made quite a name for themselves forging new trails and taming others. Legend tells us several tall tales, like the time Pecos Bill jumped on a powerful twister and road it like a bucking bronco. Then there was the time when Pecos Bill dug out a path to create the Rio Grande River during a severe drought that hit his beloved Texas. And then there was the day Pecos Bill was so bored he took his handy six-shooter and shot out all of the stars in the sky except for one. That’s why they call Texas the “Lone Star State.”
In 1878, with the encouragement of his friends, Pecos Bill decided to open his own watering hole, a restaurant whose motto very much reflects its one-of-a-kind owner. “The tastiest eats and treats this side of the Rio Grande.” Pecos Bill called it the Tall Tale Inn and Café and it quickly became a popular hangout for some of his legendary friends. As time went by, it became a tradition when each friend paid a visit they would leave something behind for Pecos Bill to remember them by. As you can see from the articles and artifacts that don the walls, many of which carry inscriptions, Pecos Bill had some mighty impressive friends. Seems that every trail eventually led to the Tall Tale Inn and Café."
Items donated by Pecos Bill's friends can be found in displays throughout the restaurant.
These include:
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Johnny Appleseed's pot-hat
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Kit Carson’s scouting tools
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Slue-foot Sue’s Glove (Pecos Bill’s first wife)
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Lone Ranger’s mask and a silver bullet
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Davy Crockett’s satchel and powder horn
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Davy Crockett’s first Rifle
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Annie Oakley’s Six Shooter and Cards with Bullet Holes in the centers
These are just a few of the exhibits of American Wild West Folklore and Folktales on display in Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café.

For  a little more backstory on Pecos Bill and Sluefoot Sue:

The exterior also has some American History. Next to the Town Hall Building is a small store front with the signage “Chinese Laundry”. This is a tribute to many Chinese immigrants during the 1800’s that began the Chinese laundry business in San Francisco.

The buildings in Frontierland represents what towns looked like in the 1800s. If you’re interested as to the year that various buildings were modeled after, just look above the doors. The town hall is structurally consistent with buildings from 1867 and Pecos Bill is the style of Saloons in 1878.
Disney Information:
Big Thunder Mountain is the shortest in the Magic Kingdom mountain range which features Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. (There is a special collectable pin for riders of the range available in the shops behind Pecos Bill’s Eatery).
Interested in more about Pecos Bill:

Meet & Greet

Meet & Greet schedules and what characters will be present is always changing, so make sure to check the Official Time Schedules.
 But while walking down Frontierland you may get opportunity to pose with characters from the Country Bears: Liverlips, Wendel, Shaker, and of course, Big Al!
 

Frontierland Hoedown Happening

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Throughout the afternoon a "flash mob" style dance party could breakout with Frontierland cast members. With characters, include Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and the Country Bears (Wendell, Big Al, Shaker and Liver Lips), joining in the fun.  Guests are invited to join in. 
 
Show times may not published in the Times Guide, as this is a spontaneous event.  It may happen two to three times a day.

Frontierland Food Carts

If you looking for a quick snack there are plenty of choices in Frontierland. There is a Food Cart just for you:
  • Churro Cart
  • Frozen Treats
  • Hot Dog Cart
  • Ice Cream Cart
  • Popcorn
  • Turkey Leg Cart  

Prairie Outpost and Supply

Prairie Outpost and Supply is located next to Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Café.
It’s a one stop candy/sweet shop. It has a large range of gifts and treats. Pick and Mix candy, commemorative boxed chocolates, fresh items, jelly beans, sherbet and lollies of all types.
In front of the General Store, which is part of the Prairie Outpost and Supply Store, stands another wooden Indian. This is Big Chief Pipum. The other Indian named Chief Seegar stands in front of the Crystal Arts Shop on Main St. USA. See Chapter 7 for the backstory.
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We're at the end of Frontierland - Part 2, but that's not the end of Frontierland. We've adventured through Tom Sawyer Island, strolled down the Waterfront, then stopped in at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Café for a quick bite and explored it's Tall Tales treasures, and followed up by moseying down the main Frontierland strip to meet some of the residents. 

There is still a lot more to see and experience, so you'all com' back for the next Chapter 14 - Frontierland - Part 3, where we will be entertained by the Country Bears, try some target shot'in at the Arcade, cross the Mississippi, and dine at the Diamond Horseshoe.
See you then! 

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Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour.
While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and atrraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost.
So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions.

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