Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Location:  Frontierland

Ride Type:  Train/Roller Coaster

Passengers:  2 per row, 75 rows per train

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  40 inches minimum to ride

Summary:  Hold onto your hats for the wildest ride in the wilderness!  Big Thunder Mountain is a rollercoaster set deep in the desert amidst mine tunnels and wild scenery (including a geyser).  The rollercoaster primarily turns and banks, with no more than a few short drops (nothing major).  The ride starts out by going up a dark and spooky mine shaft, complete with bats staring at you with red eyes.  As you exit the mine shaft, the twist, turns, shakes, and jolts begin as the train begins it's wild ride back to the safety of the town.  Rockfalls threaten and desert creatures watch to see if you will make it back safely.  After a 3 1/2 minute ride, you pull back into the station.

Comments:  This ride can be scary for children who are not used to fast roller-coasters.  The train jerks a lot, and the curves make you slide towards your seat partner as you hold on tight.  If your child loves roller-coasters, this is a good ride for them.  If they don't - skip it.

Hidden Mickeys: COMING SOON

Josh Rating:

Images:

To see additional images, click here

Video from YouTube:

Disclaimer: These videos are the sole intellectual property of the YouTube contributors, and not WDWAutism.com. We thank the contributor for their posting.

Character Greeting Areas in Frontierland

For some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, meeting characters is a magical experience (especially a favorite character from the movies).  For others, it's a stressful experience.  The list of characters below is by no means complete, but represents the characters we have personally seen and met in the Frontierland area of the Magic Kingdom.

Not all characters are available at all times - everything listed here is subject to change, but we'll keep it as up to date as possible.  Consult the daily park schedule for information, or ask a cast member to help you find specific characters.

Br'er Bear:  Near the Country Bear Jamboree attraction

Br'er Fox:  Near the Country Bear Jamboree attraction

Bullseye:  Near the Diamond Horseshoe Review Saloon

Goofy:  Near the exit to Splash Mountain 

Jessie:  Near the Diamond Horseshoe Review Saloon

Woody:  Near the Diamond Horseshoe Review Saloon

Country Bear Jamboree

Location:  Frontierland

Ride Type:  Audio-Animatronic Show

Passengers:  380 per show

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  This classic show features audio-animatronic bears singing their version of country music.  There are 14 songs in all, and the bears enter and exit the stage via platforms that lift and lower them on and off stage.  While the music may not be cutting edge, the show is popular enough for Disney to create a movie based on the characters ("The Country Bears"). 

Comments:  This is a great way to cool off on a hot Florida day.  If your child enjoys music and can endure a 15 minute long show, this would be a good attraction to visit.

Hidden Mickeys: COMING SOON

Josh Rating:

Images:

Video from YouTube:

Disclaimer: This video is the sole intellectual property of the YouTube contributor, and not WDWAutism.com. We thank the contributor for their posting.

Splash Mountain

Location:  Frontierland

Ride Type:  Log flume water ride

Passengers:  2 per row, four rows per "log"

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  40 inch minimum to ride

Summary:  Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!  Br'er Rabbit is going searching for his "Laughin' Place" and you can come along for a wild water ride through the Briar Patch and beyond.  Based on Disney's "Song of the South" movie, the ride introduces you to Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, Br'er Bear, and other critters (many recycled from the "America Sings" attraction that shut down years ago).  The ride is a water flume ride, and there are several short drops during the ride before the spectacular drop (five stories tall!).  You'll know when the big drop is coming because there are vultures on hand to heckle you.  After the last drop, which offers a great view of the park, you enter a "Showboat" scene before finishing the ride.

Comments:  The last drop is a big one, and can be startling to younger children of all abilities.  And you will get wet - it's called "Splash" Mountain for a reason!

Hidden Mickeys: In the Showboat scene near the end of the ride, look up in the clouds behind the showboat.  You should be able to see a Mickey shaped cloud (Mickey is lying on his back).

Josh Rating:

Images:

To see additional images, click here

Video from YouTube:

From DisneyParks:

Disclaimer: These video are the sole intellectual property of the YouTube contributors, and not WDWAutism.com. We thank the contributor for their posting.

Tom Sawyer Island

Location:  Frontierland

Ride Type:  Raft ride to the Island, then free play areas 

Passengers:  About 25 per raft

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Tom Sawyer Island is a place for kids to run off the energy that accumulates during the day.  After a short raft ride across the Rivers of America, you are dropped off at the island.  Children can follow trails through caves and around the island in search of adventure.  There are bridges to cross, caves and mine shafts to explore, rope swings, and other play areas.  There are also rocking chairs and picnic tables to sit at, and a snack bar and restrooms in case those are needed.

Comments:  If you have children who like to run around - there is no better place than Tom Sawyer Island.  Many parents find this a quiet place to take their child with Autism Spectrum Disorder to allow them to regroup before venturing out into the park again.  The island usually closes at dusk.

Hidden Mickeys: COMING SOON

Images:

Josh Rating :

To see additional images, click here

Walt Disney World Railroad (Frontierland Stop)

Location:  Frontierland

Ride Type:  Steam Train

Passengers:  4-5 per row, dozens of rows per train

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The Walt Disney World Railroad is a fun way to get around the Magic Kingdom.  The tracks circle the park, and there are three stops: Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair.  You can board the train at any station, and ride around as many times as you would like.  Guest conductors (often children) are asked to give the traditional "All Aboard!" cry when the train is ready to depart.  Enjoy a fun commentary as well as some interesting sights along the way.  When boarding from Frontierland, you travel to Mickey's Toontown Fair, followed by the Main Street Station, before returning to the Frontierland stop.

Comments:  Strollers must fold up to go on this ride, so if you rented a stroller from the Park, you can either come back to your starting point, or you can take your belongings and your stroller rental receipt and get another stroller at the next stop.  The platform in Frontierland is one flight up from the street level of the park, but wheelchair ramps are available if needed.  The trains are "open air", so keep an eye on children so they don't stick their heads or arms (or any other body part) out of the train.

Hidden Mickeys: COMING SOON

Josh Rating :

Images:

To see additional images, click here