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Big Thunder Ranch was an attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, United States. It included an outdoor petting zoo, a walk-through log cabin, and a variety of scenery meant to create the atmosphere of a Western ranch. It was located in Frontierland, nearby Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
- January 11, 2016
- Removed
- June 22, 1986
- Frontierland
- Overview
- History
The Big Thunder Ranch was an attraction at Disneyland which included an outdoor petting zoo, a walk-through cabin, and a variety of scenery meant to create the atmosphere of a Western ranch in Frontierland nearby Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Inside one could find sheep, goats, cows, and other farm animals. Among these animals were the two turkeys who received presidential pardons in honor of Thanksgiving in 2008 and the attraction was hosted by Brawny.
The Big Thunder Ranch closed permanently on January 11, 2016, as the attraction and some nearby backstage areas were replaced by Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
The Big Thunder Ranch opened in 1986 and housed the Big Thunder log cabin, a building constructed with real logs provided by the Rocky Mountain Log Company. The cabin was initially intended as a replica to simply be looked at by visitors, but it was later used as a gift store and finally as a children's crafts center. Walt Disney Imagineering designed the building, and building designer Bob Ybarra drew the plans. Care was taken to use real materials and hide modern structural hardware to make the cabin look as authentic as possible.
The cabin was accompanied by a petting zoo and a dining area known as the Big Thunder Barbecue.
Eventually the petting zoo was removed to make room for an outdoor theater that served as a home for a live show The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Festival of Fools beginning in June 1996. The show ended in April 1998; Big Thunder Barbecue closed soon after. Another film tie-in overlay would come in 2004 through 2005 for the release of Home on the Range with the Ranch being presented as Little Patch of Heaven and the petting zoo being brought back. A few props such as the Alameda Slim Wanted poster were left in the area well after this overlay ended.
The ranch hosted the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show after they left the Golden Horseshoe Saloon until they left Disneyland on January 6, 2014 and moved to Knott's Berry Farm. After being used on occasion for special events and seasonal attractions for several years, the outdoor dining area reopened in spring 2009, serving seasonal confections and an all-you-can-eat American-style barbecue menu, including chicken, pork, sausage, beans, corncob, cornbread, coleslaw, lemonade and fruit cobbler. Musicians performed traditional American country and folklore sing-along on the stage and interacted with diners.
- 2 min
Oct 1, 2023 · Big Thunder Ranch was a charming area at Disneyland that hosted a petting zoo, a barbecue restaurant, and seasonal activities. Learn about its history, theming, and recipes, and see photos of its festive decor and characters.
Many Disneyland park guests don’t know that just behind Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland lies a very important piece of Disney history. The Pope House, once home to Owen and Dolly Pope, is the only house on Disneyland Resort property that remains from before the park was built.
Big Thunder Ranch is a small petting zoo housing farm animals and a recreation of an old-fashioned homestead. In the area you and your children can interact with some non-animatronic animals...
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Big Thunder Ranch Frontierland area at Disneyland near Big Thunder Mountain, a re-creation of an 1880s working horse ranch, which included a petting area, ranch house, stable, and outdoor restaurant, opened on June 27, 1986.
