Buffalo Junction: Disney’s Forgotten Frontier Resort (Ep. 520)

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Leisure, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 979 Ratings

🗓️ 24 February 2025

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill, joined by former Imagineer Jim Shull, dive into the fascinating history of Buffalo Junction, the resort Disney almost built between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Inspired by Disneyland Paris, this Wild West-themed destination was set to include a working railroad, frontier town-style hotel, and a live Buffalo Bill Wild West show—so what happened? Buffalo Junction: The Resort That Never Was – Disney’s ambitious plan for an Old West town complete with a steam train and dinner show. How Disneyland Paris Inspired This Resort – The success of Frontierland and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show nearly brought the idea stateside. The End of the Fort Wilderness Railroad – Why Disney abandoned steam trains at Fort Wilderness and how they almost made a comeback. Universal’s Year-Round Halloween Horror Nights – Details on Universal Horror Unleashed, opening in Las Vegas this summer. Virtual Queues Ending at Disney Parks – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind drop their virtual queues—what it means for guests. Join Len, Jim, and Jim Shull for a deep dive into Disney’s lost resort projects, Fort Wilderness expansion plans, and how theme park design continues to evolve. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Drawn to Life, the groundbreaking live stage show at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida,
0:04.9	has been dazzling visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort for more than three years now.
0:09.8	This family-friendly extravaganza, which really has to be seen to be believed,
0:14.0	seamlessly blends pieces of classic Disney animation with mind-blowing live acrobatics.
0:19.2	Drawn to Life is presented Wednesday through Sunday on the west side of Disney Springs.
0:23.3	This shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is open to anyone visiting Central Florida, and parking is free.
0:29.3	Again, that's Drawn to Life, live on stage at Disney Springs in Orlando.
0:34.6	Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill.
0:38.1	It's me, Lentesta, and this is our show for the week of Schmer's Day, February 24th, 2025.
0:43.3	On the show today, news, listener questions.
0:46.2	Then in our main segment, Jim and our special guest, Jim Scholl, continue the history of Disney's upcoming Lakeside Lodge DVC resort.
0:53.5	Let's get started by bringing in the man who says that your bed is a shelf for when
0:57.4	you're not using your body.
0:58.8	It's Mr. Jim Hill.
0:59.6	Jim, how's it going?
1:00.3	It's going well, Len.
1:01.3	But if we extrapolate further on that concept, bunk beds are basically a bulk storage
1:07.1	system.
1:08.0	You've got two of more siblings.
1:09.9	The IKEA of buddy shelves.
1:11.5	Yeah, we're going to use their bodies for the next hour.
1:13.8	And a baby's crib, well, then, let's be honest, kind of the human equivalent of a veal pen.
	...

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