Wanderings and Ramblings : Disneyland Paris: Frontierland

My Disneyland Paris, land by land descriptions continues with:

Frontierland

One of the things that is a bit unique about DLP is that the main entrances to most of the lands have an interactive element. Frontierland,the first one to your left as you walk towards the castle from Main Street is a prime example of this--you enter by walking through a fort full of ramps, stairs and hidden passages fr kids of all ages to explore and run around on. It is similar to the forest on Tom Sawyer Island in the US, but a lot easier to get to, and without the smell of stale urine lurking in hidden corner. Buffalo Bill and his companions can also be seen hanging out within.

If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority (it can be easily seen in 5 minutes and has no wait time):

Once through the fort, your attention is immediately drawn to the central attraction: Big Thunder Mountain. At Disneyland Paris, Big Thunder Mountain is an island, bordering for the roller coaster takes place to your right after entering this land, and you ride underground to emerge on the island for the majority of the ride. The ride is longer, more intricate and than its US counterparts and one of my favourites at the park. Unfortunately it is currently under MAJOR renovations and closed for an entire year. However, if you are here once it reopens and you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a high priority to see if possible:

Heading to the left after you enter Frontierlandand you will pass a row of eateries: The Lucky Nugget Saloon which is counter service quality but sort of a hybrid experience--you order before being seated, then food is brought out to your table, and a band comes out to ply for 20 or so minutes about once an hour. We had lunch there yesterday, and enjoyed it. (note: this is probably the only "counter service" in the park at which you can order wine--it is not on the menu but you can order it by the glass if you'd like)

Beyond the Lucky Nugget is the Last Chance Cafe, serving standard counter service meals, but with no indoor seating at all it was too cold yesterday to be doing much of any business (it was about 4-6 C or 38-43 F and overcast, which is not terrible but not pleasant for sitting out of doors to eat your meal either).

and beyond that is a sit down steak house:

There are also two rides in this section of Frontierland: Phantom Manor and the Riverboat.

Phantom Manor is DLP's version of the Haunted Mansion--brilliantly set up as the mansion of a rich merchant in the wild west, they have done a great job of keeping the original feel/theme alive while putting on a unique twist which really work. It sits high on a hill and the view of it dominates this portion of the park (and the view from the entry looking out over Bog Thunder and the river boat area is normally lovely as well---right now it offers a fascinating and rare glimpse at the major rehab work going on with those rides). When not blocked off any construction walls, the Boot Hill graveyard area after you exit to a fabulous place to slow down and spend 5 minutes or so exploring. If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this not to be missed!

Near Phantom Manor is the dock for the Riverboat. When it is up and running, this is a very nice ride--a lot of work went into creating interesting themeing all the way around. It is currently closed, the river drained, as part of the Big Thunder rehab (see below) Currently Tiana and Prince Naveen are doing photo ops at the landing (I hope to manage to get a photo later this week). If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority

(this is usually full of water and the river the boat "sails" on)

If you head right after entering Frontierland, you first pass the ride queue for Big Thunder Mountain and then the land stretches on for quite a way, long and skinny. There are two additional counter service restaurants: Feunte del Oro which serves Tex Mex, and even further down Cowboy Cookout (also currently closed--DLP is undergoing extensive renovations this year to prepare for the 25th anniversary next year). Cowboy cookout had a live band playing when we ate there at Christmas, which was nice:

There is a meet and greet area further in (right now with Merida), a large theatre which is currently showing a forest themed show (at Christmas it was forest themed--we have found the shows to be well done overall) and a train depot for the railway which circles the park. The train is nice, with U shaped bench seating which is roomier than the WDW benches, and nice views of the area behind Big Thunder Mountain, inside Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. (though the announcements are played at a very loud level which can be irritating) If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority :

Here are just a couple extra photos of the theming in Frontierland as well as some of the land specific merchandise (by request, I will do a post of just DLP merchandise at some point, but thought I would stick the land specific items here):