Opening date July 2, 1956 Closed 2 January 1977 | Status Closed Closing date January 2, 1977 Opened 2 July 1956 | |
 | ||
Similar Big Thunder Mountain, Skyway, Golden Horseshoe Saloon, Mike Fink Keel Boats, Sailing Ship Columbia | ||
Lost disneyland abandoned remains of mine train through nature s wonderland
The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railroad attraction in Frontierland in Disneyland, that featured Audio-Animatronic animals in natural desert- and woods-themed environments. It opened on June 12, 1960 as an extension of Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, which opened on July 2, 1956. It closed on January 2, 1977 to make room for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Contents
- Lost disneyland abandoned remains of mine train through nature s wonderland
- 2013 d23 expo undiscovered disneyland mine train through nature s wonderland
- History
- References
2013 d23 expo undiscovered disneyland mine train through nature s wonderland
History
In 1956, the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train was opened in Frontierland, as part of the Living Desert. Guests boarded a miniature train and were transported through the various scenery of the desert environment, which featured anthropomorphic cacti, the Balancing Rocks which precariously rolled back and forth above the guests, and the beautiful Rainbow Caverns. The Living Desert was also host to other attractions like the Conestoga Wagons, Stagecoaches, and Pack Mules, though the former two disappeared when Nature's Wonderland was introduced.
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was designed by Marc Davis when Walt Disney requested him to insert more humor into Disneyland's attractions. Rainbow Caverns Mine Train was closed and redesigned into Nature's Wonderland, taking inspiration from True-Life Adventures. The scenes of the Living Desert and Rainbow Caverns were incorporated into the redesign, which had guests boarding a train at the fictional Western town Rainbow Ridge before heading off into the attraction. The train traveled through Cascade Peak, Bear Country, Beaver Valley, the Living Desert, Devil's Paint Pots (multicolored geysers), and Rainbow Caverns before returning to the station. The attraction featured over two-hundred replicas of North American animals, and the narrative was provided by Dal McKennon.
Due to the rise in popularity for thrill rides, Nature's Wonderland was closed to build a new attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which opened in 1979. However, Big Thunder Mountain is similar to Nature's Wonderland, featuring a runaway train as the ride vehicle, the set of Rainbow Ridge is used as the loading area, and a tribute to Rainbow Caverns exists within the attraction.
A surviving locomotive from the ride was part of the scenery on Rivers of America for years, near the former location of Cascade Peak. It was removed in 2010,, and was subsequently donated to the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society for restoration. It is currently on static display outside Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn.