At a glance
This attraction is actually a playground designed especially for the youngest visitors. Set by the water, it has several wooden structures inspired by a village of Native American tents. Children can play freely under their parents’ supervision, while the parents enjoy a break from touring the park.
Frontierland Playground draws on Wild West themes with tepees, dugout canoes and carved totem poles. The ground is covered with a soft surface to cushion falls, and the equipment lets children climb, go down slides or cross little bridges.
This play area offers a moment of relaxation with no queue. It’s the ideal place to let children burn off energy between two more structured attractions. The setting, wide open onto the lake, lets you watch the boats and the mine train go by in a calm, themed atmosphere.
The Native American camp playground. Wooden structures, tepees and walkways for children to explore freely, by the Frontierland lake. Handy for letting off steam in a safe space while adults wait nearby. No queue and no set times.
History
Opened in June 1996 as Pocahontas Indian Village, following the film released the year before, the playground stands on the old landing stage of the Indian Canoes (run from 1992 to 1994). It was renamed Frontierland Playground in June 2019, as the Pocahontas theme had faded over the years.
Technical data
- Type Playground
- Opening date June 1996
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait none
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age kids
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- No queue to get to the play equipment
- Shaded area with benches for parents
- Clear view of the lake and Big Thunder Mountain
Weak points
- Fully exposed to rain in bad weather
My verdict
Frontierland Playground is a Western playground by the lake, with wooden structures inspired by a Native American village. Free access, no queue and a view of Big Thunder Mountain from the shaded benches for parents.
It’s the perfect spot to let children let off steam while parents enjoy the view. Best avoided in bad weather, as it’s entirely outdoors. A good idea is to pair it with the Thunder Mesa paddle steamer right next door for a very relaxed half-day in Frontierland.
Map & getting there
Frontierland Playground is in Frontierland, close to the Cowboy Cookout Barbecue restaurant.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
