Disney Dish Podcast: Frontierland, Splash Mountain Controversy, and Park Evolution

Frontierland's Evolving Food Scene

• 🍟 The Golden Oak Outpost, formerly a McDonald's, served as a French fry stand during a 10-year promotional deal with Disney.
• 🍔 The Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe has updated its menu from burgers to a more southwest-inspired selection including nachos and fajitas.
• 🌟 The restaurant's interior is described as having a faux Planet Hollywood style, with each room paying tribute to a different Western hero and displaying memorabilia.

Splash Mountain and Guest Conduct

• ⚠️ A 24-year annual passholder was banned for repeatedly unfurling a "Trump 2020" sign on Splash Mountain and other attractions.
• 🚫 Disney revoked his pass permanently after he continued to test their patience, citing safety concerns due to wind resistance and the guest's intent to create controversy.
• 💡 A chemical, identified as hydrogen peroxide used for teeth whitening, was noted in Splash Mountain's queue, highlighting Disney's efforts to update props and stay politically correct.

Future of Frontierland Attractions

• 🚂 The Walt Disney World Railroad will temporarily stop running during the construction of TRON Lightcycle / Run.
• 🏞️ New trackside show scenes are planned for the railroad, to be installed ahead of the park's 50th-anniversary celebration.
• 🐎 There were once plans for Lone Ranger-themed elements, including an Audio-Animatronic figure of the Lone Ranger and Silver, which never materialized.
• ⛰️ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains a popular attraction, though purists wished for the originally planned Thunder Mesa.
• 🛠️ Maintaining the rockwork on attractions like Big Thunder Mountain is challenging, especially with modern expectations for exemplary rockwork, as seen in Cars Land and Pirates of the Caribbean.
• 🚢 Tom Sawyer Island's interactive elements, like ropes and barrel bridges, may be removed due to the litigious nature of society.
• 🗺️ The Rivers of America area, encompassing about seven to eight acres, could potentially be redeveloped for a new themed land in the next 10-15 years.