Visiting Magic Kingdom 101: Frontierland and to Liberty Square
So by now, you have been in Magic Kingdom for about an hour or two. Hopefully you have been able to experience 3 of the 5 major attractions within Adventureland
So it is time to move onto the next Land…From Adventureland there are three option, back toward Main Street USA, Liberty Square or Frontierland. Having walked through Main Street USA to arrive at Adventureland to go to Main Street would be inefficient, Liberty Square is a viable option but if you were to move to other sections would require backtracking, which would be a waste of time.
Frontierland is tucked into the back corner of the park between Adventureland and Liberty Square. If everything is going well for you so far, the last ride in Adventureland you did was Pirates. Frontierland is just steps away from Pirates and a left turn at the exit.
Walkway To Frontierland
Coming out of Pirates you make a left under a covered walkway. This walkway is the break from Adventureland to Frontierland.
The first intersection is where the Parade enters Magic Kingdom. This intersection can be crowded at Parade time. I am not a huge Parade Person, so usually I will push through, however there are many locations between Frontierland and Liberty Square to watch the parade, actually I find these locations less crowded than those on Main Street USA.
Another reason this area is crowded, people trying to make a decision to continue on to 2 of the Mountain Rides (Splash and Big Thunder). The Splash Bridge is located here, and many people gather to watch the flume come down. This causes secondary crowding as people see this and debate, to try later or wait now.
FASTPASS AND FRONTIERLAND
Here is a tip, try to get a FastPass for Splash Mountain during the day, and then come back for Big Thunder Mountain towards nighttime. The line for both rides is long and hot, so get a Splash FastPass you will get through the line faster. It is a 10 minute ride that is inside, so it is cool and out of the sun. Then come back for Big Thunder after dusk and before or during fireworks, the wait is shorter, the ride experience is more magical with the park lit for nighttime, and if you are lucky you will get to see some big fireworks during the ride.
Exploring Frontierland
The two Mountains by far are the main attractions of Frontierland. Not to be overlooked is Country Bear Jamboree. Country Bear Jamboree is one of a few Opening Day Attractions that remains today. It is probably familiar to anyone who has seen anything with Disney World. It is made up of Numerous audio-animatronic Bears that perform various country songs throughout the show.
The final attraction in Frontierland is Tom Sawyers Island, built as a fun exploring playground for young kids, it is a neat place to go if you want to escape the crowd. But Doing Disney With Mark has only gone to it once in the last 10 years.
Side note, you must be as it involves rough terrain, so you must walk or have assistance walking.
Time to Eat
By now, it is just before or after lunchtime. If not you have been in the park long enough to be hungry. Frontierland and Liberty Square is probably one of the most dense areas of food/snack vendors and restaurants.
In Frontierland the popular choice, among many Disney fans, hands down is Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Located just as you enter Frontierland from Adventureland. Pecos Bill is a Tex/Mex Quick Service with tables. On the menu includes a variety of choices from Burgers, Nachos and Fajita, as well as choice of Salads.
If you are just looking for a quick bite in Frontieland, you will find locations and stand that sell Chicken Nuggents, the Infamous Turkey Legs, Churros, Ice Cream and more.
When it comes to eating, both area have almost the same amount of food choices, Liberty Square comes out the winner, when it comes to quality and locations.
Liberty Square has 2 Full Table Service, 1 quick service with indoor tables, and 2 outdoor quick service dining choices.ย Sleepy Hollow is a quick service that offers one of my favorite treats,ย Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich, and several other waffle and deep fried delights. Liberty Square Market is a source for Fresh Fruit and TURKEY LEGS. Columbia Harbour House is a Quick Service with plenty of indoor seating. CHH provides Famous Lobster Rolls, fish, shrimp and more. It is another popular location like Pecos Bill.
MARK’S FAVORITES
My favorite locations in the area to eat are the Table Service restaurants. Liberty Tree Tavern and The Diamond Horseshoe.
Liberty Tree Tavern, has a different menu for Lunch and Dinner, so be careful when you go. the lunch is an A La Carte menu, with more of a pub fare selection. The dinner menu has one Entree, The Patriot’s Platter. The platter is a Family serving of Turkey, Pot Roast and Pork, as well as the appropriate side.
The main reason go to the Liberty Tree Tavern, year after year after year, OOOEY GOOEY TOFFEE CAKE. One of the most decadent, mouth watering and scrumptious desserts the colonial mouseketeers could have developed. A warm toffee filled cake with vanilla ice cream and covered in Caramel. I could skip all of dinner or lunch just to eat this faster. Try it once and you won’t be disappointed.
The Diamond Horseshoe in my opinion is my favorite restaurant in MK, and the source for the best BBQ on property. These comment will bring up arguments among Disney groups. This is just my opinion, there are other restaurants people will like, but I just love love love the DH and it’s BBQ. For years the DH has been relegated to a pass by location in MK, recently they started serving for Dinner, the SALOON FEAST.
Saloon Feast is an All You Can Eat Family Platter of Tender Brisket, Grilled Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork and Sausages, as well as beans corn etc.ย I will review this another day but the BBQ calls me back even now.
NO MORE FOOD…BACK TO THE PARK
So you are done eating, and you are almost done with this Land. If you are Doing Disney Like Mark, the next trip is Haunted Mansion. After a lunch a nice slow ride is perfect to get you back into the action. On top of that HAUNTED MANSION is A MUST DO.
After HM, you have a choice, if it is still early but getting really hot, I recommend heading over to Hall Of President. It is a 22 minute show in one of the best air conditioned theaters on property. The show has not really changed over the years, and is an enjoyable telling tale of the creation of our nation. If it is near 3 pm, I would avoid attempting to see this show, because…
If it is closer to 3pm, you have a major decision, if you want to see the parade, try to find a shaded comfortable location to watch it pass by. The parade enters the park from Frontierland and Liberty Square, before entering Main Street U.S.A. Liberty Square is probably some of the best viewing for the parade, but also the busiest.
If you are like me and not a parade person, head toward the 2nd Star to the Right and Straight on til Morning…FANTASYLAND
This ends Partย of How to Do Disney With Mark Without Mark. In Part 3 I will move on to Fantasyland.