Does Frontiertown need to be updated?

During Frontiertown's first year of operation, the only way to get there was by the train. Frontier Lift opened the following year, and Frontier Trail didn't open until 1971. Back in the 70s, Frontier Trail was a much different experience.

I agree, several parts of the park have lost some of their charm. (Though I suppose there were people wandering the Million Dollar Midway the year it opened, thinking the park had lost some of the charm it had when it was just the Midway up to the lagoons and east to the beach...)

I think the frontier trail is still charming. I would hate to see any major changes there.

Tip said:

The trail is blighted with a few moss-covered empty derelicts and many snack stands.

Totally disagree with you on that. The rustic buildings are as nice as they have always been. They may have aged a little but that just adds to the authentic look. There have been some nice improvements to the Trail such as the Trail Tavern, improved petting zoo, Frontier Folks shows and the decorative lighting at night. Many of the original crafts still remain like the wood carver, glass blower and candle shop. The food stand by the Snake River Falls exit looks appropriate and Shoot The Rapids is nicely themed and fits in the area well. The Trail is still very nice and I think it has been getting some TLC in recent years.

I like the rocking chairs they've been scattering around the trail.

CP Maverick said:

Didn't perimeter road used to run through the area Mean Streak was built on? The ride was consciously put in an area where land use wasn't a concern.

You are correct. Meanstreak was built right on top of Perimeter Rd. Check out this Youtube video showing Meanstreak under construction. At 0:25 you can see the old perimeter road path in Meanstreak's infield.

The opening under MS's midcourse for access to the infield is really the old path of Perimeter Rd.

~Rob

Also, looking at Google aerial imagery and Street View, it looks like part of the old road may still exist on the western end of Mean Streak, approaching the lift hill, where it diverges from the current road.

I do think Frontiertown DOES need to be updated and will get into those reasons in a second...

Some of the charm of Frontiertown that I remember being a kid in the 70's is still there today but much of it is lost also. Remnants are still there next to the First Aid station (like the old arcade) but it's a shell of its former self. Years ago it was a crowded place with Skeeball, etc. Today, there's not much to draw you into that spot, something needs to go around there as it's a dead end. I think the 3 point shootout game back there is an abomination to the area, sorry it just doesn't work for me and I cringe every time I see it back there. I miss the charm of the old school shooting gallery with the dueling ghost swords, colorful piano,etc. While maybe not a huge moneymaker nowdays, it "worked" to compliment the area. The Frontier Lift back there was just magical for some reason and the old country ampitheatre fit well also. There were more attractions back there years ago that fit the area better than today. Again, this is just my opinion.

When I think of FT today, I think of 3 coasters( CCMR, Maverick and mean Streak), the other CP/LE RR stop,the Palace Theater, Town Hall, Wave Swinger and Antique cars. That's about all that crosses my mind and that's being brutally honest. One of the biggest needs I see back in this area is something for the entire family (especially those under 48") to be able to do all together. Remember the old Shoot the Rapids or White Water Landing, anyone? That was a blast for everyone in that area of the park and I remember massive crowds being drawn back in that area. Something I'm not seeing there today.

Other than the Antique cars, what can little ones do back there now while the teens, older family members are riding Maverick? Not much and I feel as though the removal of the FT Carousel years ago was a big mistake and needs to be remedied. That building (next to Chick Fil A) is only being used 6 weeks of the year (for Halloweekends) and for a sub-par attraction. A double decker carousel (something CP has never had!) or even a nice flat would work well in that spot and draw more interest to the area. I think CCMR can be left there but updated and some new themeing might work. I still like the old time feel of the gazebo, cars, facades of some of the buildings but...Town Hall could use some love and updating of its collection with more vintage CP memorabilia as I know some collectors that have better photos, paper items in their OWN collections than what's stored in there. I don't think some of these things would be a hard fix, the area just needs a little TLC. My 2c.

CPfan1976 said:

...(like the old arcade) but it's a shell of its former self. Years ago it was a crowded place with Skeeball, etc.

Agreed. Though I'm not sure what could go into that space as an improvement.

I think the 3 point shootout game back there is an abomination to the area...

Agreed, but I suspect the money to be made off those games outweighs other considerations.

CPfan1976 said:

Today, there's not much to draw you into that spot, something needs to go around there as it's a dead end.

There is something quite popular back there that draws crowds like few others do: the 3 point shootout game. You should check it out, it really seems to be a popular thing to watch!

I think the 3 point shootout game back there is an abomination to the area...

Oh. ;-)

I agree that in a perfect world, there would be something "old timey" that would draw crowds back there. But I think the reality is that what was crowd pleasing in the 70's isn't necessarily as entertaining today. But the park is trying. The band they had roaming back there was pretty neat, and people seemed to dig it.

I do agree that the area needs a bit more for families, and a carousel would indeed be a good fit. I know our 3 year old rarely lets us pass one by without riding.

The Kiddie Kingdom Carousel should be relocated to Frontiertown. Why have three carousels in the same area, almost next to each other? It would be something for the little ones to ride other than the Antique Cars.

You know what I have always wanted? A wandering Barbershop quartet traversing the midways of Frontiertown. Then, during Halloweekends, they become the Zombie quartet, singing ghoulish and spooky songs into the night.

Sort of like playing Castlevania 2.

Noggin said:

"Agreed. Though I'm not sure what could go into that space (to the right of the new Coca Cola Fountain and Floats;where the old arcade/First Aid station in FT currently sits) as an improvement".

I got it! 2017's new Wild West themed dark ride. No? It would certainly be a different area of the park that hasn't had an attraction like this back there before.

Bluestreaker said: "The relocation of the KIddie Kingdom carousel back in FT wouldn't be a bad idea". Agreed on this or even a new carousel in the old building next to Wave Swinger would be welcome. That building only being used for 6 weeks of the season for Eternity Infirmary wouldn't be that hard to rebuild/relocate. That Halloweekends haunt is the lamest in my opinion. Something new should replace it for next year, it's outlived its usefulness like the defunct Pharoah's Tomb, sorry.

DjDaemon said: "There is something quite popular back there that draws crowds like few others do: the 3 point shootout game. You should check it out, it really seems to be a popular thing to watch!"

Do you know what's strange about that? I'm a die hard Cavs/NBA fan and have tried to watch this and just can't get into it at all. I'd rather go to a game or watch one on TV then watch the bricks being thrown at the hoop at CP (heck, I can watch Tristan Thompson do that at the Q!) haha. I do agree about the Bluegrass Jamboree being entertaining (saw them in front of that dead end spot I'm talking about) but they only appeared to be there once during my 10 visits this year which is odd. Maybe they're only there on certain days? In summary, the long rumored new dark ride might be a nice addition to this area of the park. Anyone else up for that?

There is currently a carousel of same make and vintage as the former FT machine for sale ,http://brassringcarousel.com/americas-experienced-carousel-company/...-carousel/

Yes, a western themed dark ride in frontier town would be pretty cool and fit the area really well.

I would be all over a western themed dark ride.

And it could still kinda-sorta include a creepy barbershop quartet.

Does anyone know what happened to the fresh fruit and gourmet cookies that used to be sold at FT's Cedar Junction? I thought it was a great concept when I first saw it. Now all I see are soda machines.

Do you mean Coca-Cola Marketplace?

I don't remember cookies but the fruit was a nice offering. Sadly, I doubt it sold well.

Now, if they'd use those fresh fruit cups at restaurants instead of the elementary school syrup-filled cups, that would be awesome.

Sadly, fresh fruits have a significantly shorter shelf-life than those syrup-filled versions. This is a significant reason that the entertainment industry relies on frozen-fried or pre-boxed food types. "Healthy" food doesn't sell nearly fast enough to counter the relatively short shelf-life.

I wish there was another Los Gatos around the park besides back in Frontiertown. They should have another location maybe around the Wicked Twister midway.