This post is part of a series that tours the Magic Kingdom from A to Z. For other posts in this series, click here.
After a visit to the Enchanted Grove in Fantasyland, we cross through the Cinderella Castle forecourt, past the Hall of Presidents and turn left into the 19th century American West, Frontierland. As guests rush past to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain, we’ll mosey on down the road and stop at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade.
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade Exterior Signage
This small, often missed attraction has been a Magic Kingdom attraction since opening day, October 1, 1971. Here, for the cost of $1.00, guests can take 35 shots at animated targets using a .54 caliber Hawken rifle. When the attraction first opened, the rifles shot real lead pellets. However, in 1982, the rifles were retrofitted to shoot with infrared light. The reason? In addition to the obvious safety concerns, the lead pellets were costing Walt Disney World 2,000 gallons of paint each year, as maintenance Cast Members had to repaint the attraction each night to fix the chipped paint on all of the props.
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade Price Board
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade .54 caliber Hawken Rifle
The attraction, which takes place in 1850 Tombstone, Arizona over Boot Hill, features 97 targets that move, make noise and provide other surprises when hit (try shooting the tombstones the next time you visit). An interesting fact about the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is that it is currently the only attraction at the Magic Kingdom that requires an additional fee (the Penny Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A. also charged an extra fee until it’s closure on March 19, 1995).
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade Interior Panorama
The next time your travels bring you to Frontierland, make a pit stop at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade for some rootin’ tootin’ shootout!
Related posts:
{ 1 trackback }
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
We’ve never done that and I think I’m gonna have to try it in November!
Haven’t done this attraction in ages. Thanks for the reminder; it will definitely be part of our next trip.
ten trips to disney and never done it…..next trip!!!
thanks.