Westernland: Attractions

 

18 - Western River Expedition

E-Ticket

Must be 40 in.

Guests embark on a journey through the forest of the Old West, searching for a gold as they encounter mystical spirits. This has a similar layout to Splash Mountain/Tiana's Bayou Adventure, so guests will get wet.

BACKSTORY:

When Thunder Mesa was first settles in the 1850s, co-founder Bartemius W. Bullion took an interest in the nearby Thunder Mesa mountain range. He wondered if there was any gold there, but the natives forbade him from going there. They said it was the home of two powerful guardian spirits, a wolf and a bear. In the meantime, they told him to stop digging into Big Thunder Mountain, or the spirits' nemesis, the coyote, would be released.

According to legend, the coyote was released from Big Thunder Mountain. It was believed that it had caused the earthquake that allegedly cursed Thunder Mesa. And legend has it that it's been trying to get into the mountain range to find the Thunderbird staff, a mystical artifact once held by the natives, hidden within. With it, he can become more powerful than ever.

But not everyone believes this myth. Bartemius's son, Benjamin Bullion, has come to Thunder Mesa to finish what his father started and is leading an expedition into the mountains. However, as they go, they may learn that it's not just a myth after all.

QUEUE:

Located in the back of the area is a large, tan mountain with the heads of a bear and a wolf sticking out of it. As guests go further to the right, they find a wooden building set up by Benjamin. They go inside and see Benjamin's study room, where he's been researching the Thunder Mesa mountain range. They soon go upstairs and see some Native American artifacts telling of the spirits within, as well as the Thunderbird Staff. Then, guests go through a small tunnel that has been dug before going into the loading station, where they board their boats.

RIDE EXPERIENCE:

The boats go up a lift and into a small pond, where greenery is growing. Looking to their right, they can see a waterfall going down the mountain. However, they don't get to look at it for long. They quickly go inside a water mill, which takes them upwards. As they go, they see Benjamin on the side, sending guests on their way and hoping that they find the staff.

At the top of the lift, the boats float down a river. Here, they see rattlesnakes, possums hanging from a tree, a goat, an American badger, and other animals native to the region. Then, as they turn the corner, they approach the first drop, which they go straight down. As an original song plays overhead, they float into a forest, which is full of black bears, owls, and other forest creatures. The guests look around and see people in the expedition, leading the way as they sing their song. Suddenly, one stagecoach is caught by bandits, who hold them at a gunpoint. In another scene, however, the bandits are turned to stone. Several other uncannily-lifelike statues are seen around the forest. As they approach a cave, one member of the expedition looks at the statue with unease, noting that something fishy is going on.

Suddenly, following the howl of a coyote, the boats go down a drop into a coaster-like portion of the ride. They end up in a cave, where an ominous blue light is seen. Nearby is another expedition member, who warns the guests to get out while they still can. However, a glowing blue coyote shows up and turns him into stone, saying how there is no going back now. The boats drop again into a cave where the Thunderbird Staff is seen. Several smaller coyotes are trying to get it, but Benjamin is fighting them off. He orders his expedition to free the spirits of the bear and the wolf, saying how it's their only hope. With the help of Native American guides, they do this. However, as they approach the lift, the coyote has the Thunderbird staff in his Jaws.

As the boats go up the hill, lightning flashes overhead, but blue lights are seen as well. As they look upwards, they see some vultures looking down at them menacingly. Then, as they get to the top of the hill, they see the spirits of the bear and wolf standing there, roaring at the coyote, who stands on the opposite side of the area. The bear orders the guests to escape, which they do by plunging down the waterfall.

The boats go out into the Rivers of the Far West, getting a glimpse of Big Thunder Mountain before heading back into the main area. Here, they go down one more drop before ending up in an old west town. Here, Natives, animals, and townspeople alike are singing another song. Benjamin stands nearby, smiling at the celebration. In the meantime, the bear and wolf stand in front of a lantern, where the coyote is trapped. Benjamin is then seen standing beside a Native American chief, offering to give him the staff. He thanks the guests for helping him and apologizes for the trouble before letting them go.

POST-RIDE:

Guests get off their vehicles and take a passage to Spirit Souvenirs, a gift shop selling merchandise themed to the attraction and displaying ride photos.

19 - Westernland Riverboat Landing

B-Ticket

Any Height

Guests climb aboard one of two old-fashioned riverboats: Mark Twain and Lily Belle, and go sailing around the Rivers of the Far West. Here, they will see geysers, settlements, animals, and great views of Big Thunder Mountain, Western River Expedition, and Phantom Manor.

20 - Thunder Mesa Shootin' Gallery

B-Ticket

Any Height

Guests come up to this shooting both and test their skills by shooting targets in an Old Western setting.

22 - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

In this high-speed coaster, guests travel through the cursed gold mines of Big Thunder Mountain. This is a lot like the Parisian version of the ride where it's on an island in the center of the Rivers of the Far West.

BACKSTORY:

When first coming to the Big Thunder area, Bartemius W. Bullion and Henry Ravenwood went over to an island in the center of the river. It was here where they first discovered the presence of gold. Wanting to find more, they established a mining company, which made both men wealthy.

However, the natives warned them not to dig too deep. Inside the mountain was a vengeful spirit of a coyote, and if it was released, it would wreak havoc on them. Of course, Bartemius didn't listen and dug deep into the mountain, and as a result, the coyote escaped and unleashed a curse onto the town in the form of an earthquake. Cave-ins happened, creepy sounds filled the mountain, and trains would go around the mountain without drivers. Realizing what he had done, Bullion abandoned the site and left Thunder Mesa.

Decades later, the Big Thunder Mining Company has been revived. Although it's unclear whether the curse is real or not, guests riding the trains are about to find out.

QUEUE:

On the river bank of Thunder Mesa is a train station. Here, guests go inside and see rusty old equipment and news articles that tell the ride's backstory. They even look over at the island, wondering how they'll get over there. Then, they'll go into the loading area and board their trains.

RIDE EXPERIENCE:

The trains take off and go out into a desert area, quickly heading into a mine tunnel. Then, they drop down, going under the river and seeing things moving in the dark. Then, on the island area, they move upwards beneath a parted waterfall before dropping down, heading past animals as they make turns.

Before long, they come to another lift. This takes them to the top of a hill, where animals are seen on both sides. There is even a goat chewing on a stick of dynamite, which guests see as they quickly turn to the right. They pass by several geysers before heading into a canyon. They emerge and head past a dinosaur skeleton before going up the final lift.

This lift happens in an abandoned mine shaft. As the trains ascend, the howling of coyotes are heard from all around. Then, they drop down and move around the mountain some more before going down under the river again. Here, they are surrounded by explosions as dynamite blows the place up. Luckily, they escape and make it back to the load station on the other side of the river.

POST-RIDE:

Guests enter into Big Thunder Mercantile, a gift shop selling merchandise and showing ride photos. It is a former mining supply vault that's been converted into a store.

22 - Phantom Manor

E-Ticket

Any Height

Guests embark on a spine-tingling tour of the haunted Ravenwood estate. This is the park's Haunted Mansion attraction, but Western-themed and given a darker, more mysterious tone.

BACKSTORY:

When Henry Ravenwood struck gold in Thunder Mesa, he and Bartemius W. Bullion became rich. While Bullion used his money to found a mining company, Henry built a manor house overlooking the river. There, he lived with his family, including his wife, Sarah, and his daughter, Melanie.

Despite being a well-respected man in Thunder Mesa, Henry had a questionable personality. He was overprotective of his daughter and a bit difficult to please. Four different men tried to court her, and he didn't approve of any of them. Strangely, all four men died horrendous deaths. Some even think that Henry had a role in their demise.

However, a fifth man came around, and Melanie became engaged to him. Unfortunately, Henry refused to let them marry. Every person Melanie dated wanted to take his daughter away from Thunder Mesa, and this man was no exception. However, when the Big Thunder Mining Company released a curse, an earthquake struck, damaging several buildings and killing Henry and his wife.

Despite this tragedy, Melanie could finally get married with her father out of the way. However, on the day she and her fiance planned to marry, he never showed up. Refusing to believe that she had been dumped on her wedding day, she walked around the house, looking for him.

Little did she know that sinister forces were at play. Her father had come back as a phantom, continuing his questionable antics by killing her fiance. In addition, several more ghosts came into the house, turning it into the horror that it is today. It is unclear whether Melanie is still alive or not, but now, the Manor is opening up again to offer tours to the guests of Thunder Mesa.

QUEUE:

Guests walk through a neglected, overgrown garden and filled with eerie statues as they make their way up to a wooden house on the hill. This house probably looked nice at one point in time, but now it is overgrown and dilapidated. Once they reach the front porch, they will wait for a manor servant to let them inside.

In the foyer, guests see a portrait of Henry and his daughter on the wall. It is a rainy scene where Henry is comforting his daughter, once again upset that she never got to marry. Then, the Phantom's voice comes from overhead, explaining that he didn't always have such a difficult relationship with his daughter. The walls change to become more organized and the portrait becomes a happier one, depicting Henry and Melanie standing together in a field at daytime with the manor in the background. The Phantom admits that he cherished his only daughter, and he didn't want to lose her, so he turned to extreme measures to keep her with him.

PRE-SHOW:

Guests enter one of two portrait chambers, an octagon-shaped room with portraits on every other wall. Guests move away from the walls and look up, seeing Melanie with a different man. There's lumberjack Sawyer Bottom, boat captain Rowan Down, gun tycoon Ignatius "Iggy" Knight, and woodsman Barry Claude.

Suddenly, the door closes and the Phantom talks about the suitors. Four men tried to court his daughter, but "not all stories have happy endings." He didn't think that any of these men were good enough for Melanie, so he did what had to be done. Suddenly, Melanie vanishes from all of the pictures and the portraits begin to stretch, revealing how each man died. Sawyer is seen tied to a log heading towards a ripsaw, Rowan is on a row boat at the edge of a waterfall, Iggy is standing on a barrel of dynamite, which is lit by a candelabra (a reference to the classic Haunted Mansion), and Barry is sitting on a tree branch, trying to hide from a grizzly bear. The Phantom then points out that there are no windows or doors in the room and asks how the guests will find their way out. He says he can help them, and then the lights go off and the ceiling vanishes. The Phantom, a Victorian-dressed blue skeleton with red eyes, floats above them, holding a noose and laughing evilly. The lights then come back on as an exit is revealed.

Guests then walk down a hallway filled with paintings, which transform with a flash of lightning. A cowboy and his horse become ghostly versions of themselves, a portrait of Henry Ravenwood turns into a portrait of the Phantom, a picture of Big Thunder Mountain becomes populated by a ghostly coyote, and a portrait of Henry standing outside of the manor turns into a picture of him shooting someone. Guests also see a portrait of Melanie in a wedding dress at the end of the hall, with the shadow of the Phantom behind her, symbolizing how her father is always there with her.

Guests then enter a hallway where a line of black "Doom Buggies" are seen. They board the vehicles as the lap bars come down.

RIDE EXPERIENCE:

As guests go up the stairs, they see Melanie Ravenwood, who looks at them as they pass by. They then enter a hallway of photos before passing a suit of knight armor and a floating chair with an abstract face. Then, they look down an endless hallway, where Melanie holds a candelabra. However, Melanie vanishes, leaving nothing but the candelabra floating.

As the ride vehicles go through a conservatory, the Phantom is seen playing a piano. Then, the vehicles go backwards down a hallway of demon-faced wallpaper and dark photos. They move past several doors, where there is screaming, evil laughter, knocking, yelling, and spooky noises. There is even one door with a hole in the top, where a skeletal hand is trying to claw its way out. The buggies then pass an old grandfather clock, which strikes 13 as a shadowy hand passes over it.

The vehicles then enter a seance room, where the floating crystal ball of Madame Leota is seen. As she makes incantations, instruments in the room respond. The vehicles then enter a large ballroom where a wedding party is going on. Ghosts are dancing, a bridge and groom are being offered gifts, ghosts are sitting at a table, and a ghost is playing an organ, which spits spectral heads as he plays it. In the meantime, Melanie and the Phantom stand on the second floor, looking down at it.

The scene then enters Melanie's bedroom, where a cackling fire is dying. Here, Melanie is seen crying in front of her mirror, upset that she can't be married. In her mirror, the Phantom's image appears and disappears. The vehicles then go outside of the manor, where the Phantom and a big, black dog stand. The vehicles descend into some catacombs, filled with coffins, a skeleton band, and four busts singing "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

When leaving the catacombs, the Doom Buggies enter Phantom Canyon, a ghostly version of Thunder Mesa. Here, the mayor welcomes them as the 1000th happy haunt, taking off his hat and his head with it. A sheriff and a bandit duel in front of Big Thunder Mountain, ghosts dance in a torn-down saloon, a pharmacist looks at some eerie concoction, and some invisible people are playing poker inside a building with a broken room. As they approach the manor again, the guests see the Phantom again, standing next to a dead oak tree and beside a coffin, offering them to be a new resident to the manor. They then go through a wine cellar, where the urns of Melanie's five boyfriends are. One even has a skeletal hand with a ring on it. Then, they pass by some mirrors, where Melanie's ghost appears in the vehicle, asking the guests if they will marry her before laughing evilly.

POST-RIDE:

After being chosen as both the 1000th haunt and Melanie's final suitor, the guests will get off their Doom Buggies and exit through a secret hallway. They see a tiny Melanie, who asks them to hurry back so they can wed. Then, guests exit the manor. As they look back, they can see the Phantom opening the blinds and looking at them. They can also see the cemetery of the Ravenwoods, featuring pun names as well as the graves of Henry, Sarah, Melanie, and others.