How the West was lost, (complaint)

[jcruise86]

I took my toddler daughter into the stores on the left side of the road as you enter Frontierland, hoping she'd experience just a taste of what the culture of the American West was (at least according to 20th Century American pop culture), but there was almost nothing Western about these stores any more. Just the same non-descript items they sell all over the park.

How bland and disappointing!

In the musical comedy "Forbidden Hollywood" there was a parody of Aladdin's "A Whole New World." The lyrics I remember are (please forgive the crude word), "A Dis-ney World, With Plastic Crap. . " I forget the rest. When I saw that I thought this was funny, but unfair. No longer. These stores made me think of that attack.

Unfortunately, the Mouseplanet guide (below) should be updated:

Frontierland
Bonanza Outfitter — Western wear and kitchen accessories.
Pioneer Outfitters — Books, videos, and western toys. Particularly Pocahontas and Davy Crockett related.

Don't worry about my daughter's Wild West education. During Bank of America's free Museum month (May) I'm going to take her to the Autrey Museum in Griffith Park, and follow that with a pony ride. I'm pretty much like a more fun version of Rick Moranis in "Parenthood."

[carolyn]

I'm pretty much like a more fun version of Rick Moranis in "Parenthood."

Cute.

[olegc]

wow - I did not realize the guide was that outdated. These stores have been modified quite a while ago (for the worse) as well as the candy store across the way (now a hat shop). Funny - some of these changes were during the Pressler era in the last 90s early 2000's. The Pin store is newer than that...

I miss the Pendleton store - whenever I needed a wool scarf or tie as a gift - or for myself - it was a wonderful place to shop.

[Goosegirl]

I agree about the Pendleton shop. I remember buying fabric there and I am still in my 30s. So it could not have been too long ago. Well, ok, maybe a while ago. But I do miss how unique each shop used to be. Now they are all hat and plush toy shops.

[mgg1234]

It is sad, isn't it? I miss those stores, too. The Pendleton store was cool. The Western theme was fun. It was so nice when there were unique stores. I also miss the One of Kind Shop.

[MadasaHatter]

OK,

I am always the one to say that "Get used to it folks that is the way things are now" but I Soooooo agree on this issue. Frontierland really isn't that big at all on it's own as it blends into NOS so I think Disney SHOULD at least in that area re-theme it to be western. I mean if they need tie ins then do WOODY and POCAHONTAS but have a store NOT UNLIKE the pirate store where little boys could buy arrowheads and stuff western themed and maybe more CAST MEMBERS to create the mood like that awesome fiddler they have and maybe POCAHONTAS always there and DAVY CROCKETT etc. but it really should be more wild west.....blam....blam....blam,blam! yeeeeeeee ha!

[thmar]

I definately agree also...bring back the "frontier/western" themed merchandise to Frontierland! I really miss it!!

[jcruise86]

How about moving in a western-themed barber shop?
And they could sell cowboy hats to those who get really bad haircuts.

There is a great barbershop on Main Street in WDW's Magic Kingdom--that's one "X" on their side when we debate which resort is better.

[olegc]

there have been stories in the past of taking the Festival area and making it into a Woody/Jessie land with rides somewhat similar to Fantasyland but themed western/cartoon. Then the transition to Western adult (btmrr, mark twain, etc.)

It STILL does not fix the rest of the theming. I like to sit outside of Mercantile and just think about the Old West with the theme music (except when the Main Street music is blaring for some reason and mixes the themes - YUCK!).

[stan4d_steph]

Unfortunately, the Mouseplanet guide (below) should be updated:

Frontierland
Bonanza Outfitter Western wear and kitchen accessories.
Pioneer Outfitters Books, videos, and western toys. Particularly Pocahontas and Davy Crockett related.

From the bottom of the guide page:

You can help us keep these guides current. If you see anything incorrect on this page, or if you have additional information that should be added, please fill out our form.

[Katlovett]

From the bottom of the guide page:
Quote:
You can help us keep these guides current. If you see anything incorrect on this page, or if you have additional information that should be added, please fill out our form.

I think the reason no one has submitted the form, is that we all hope that Disneyland will see the errors of its ways and go back to the old format. Do the Rivers of America lead to de' Nile?

Katprint

[Pat-n-Eil]

I definately agree also...bring back the "frontier/western" themed merchandise to Frontierland! I really miss it!!

I concur.. but I think let's not bring back real .22 guage ammunition in the shooting gallery.

[thmar]

I wish they'd bring back the can-can dancers to the Golden Horseshoe.

[mad4mky]

From the bottom of the guide page:

Steph...I have to laugh at this.

You mean to tell me...that the top dogs here at MP don't know about the merchandise in these stores???

THEY know. They just haven't updated it.

And, if a first time reader to MP went into the guides, they would be expecting updated information. It's not the reader's responsibilities to update guides.

And, I agree...I miss the Pendelton store. Luckily, we have one here in Palo Alto...and I get to go often.
But, if was more fun to go in Disneyland.

[stan4d_steph]

Steph...I have to laugh at this.

Complaining about it here isn't the right way to go about it. The people who change the guide pages don't necessarily read these pages.

I have no problem with letting people be proactive instead of just complaining when it isn't to their liking but doing nothing else about it.

[mad4mky]

Complaining about it here isn't the right way to go about it. The people who change the guide pages don't necessarily read these pages.

I have no problem with letting people be proactive instead of just complaining when it isn't to their liking but doing nothing else about it.

Well...I'm not complaining.

I am just saying that MP admin/staff who run this site KNOW what is in the stores at DLR.
They just haven't updated the site/guides. Complaints or not.

[The old man]

I concur.. but I think let's not bring back real .22 guage ammunition in the shooting gallery.

Why?

[limace]

How about moving in a western-themed barber shop?
And they could sell cowboy hats to those who get really bad haircuts.

There is a great barbershop on Main Street in WDW's Magic Kingdom--that's one "X" on their side when we debate which resort is better.

NOOOOO DH is threatening to wait til we go to DL in July to get a haircut, which he desperately needs now. If there's a barber shop there, I don't have a chance.