At a glance
This attraction is really a playground designed especially for the youngest guests. Set right by the water, it offers several wooden play structures inspired by a village of Native American tents. Kids can play freely while their parents keep an eye on them and take a breather from touring the park.
Frontierland Playground borrows the look of the Old West, with tepees, dugout canoes, and carved totem poles. The ground is covered in a soft surface to cushion falls, and the equipment lets kids climb, go down slides, or cross little bridges.
This play area gives you a relaxing moment with no line. It’s the ideal place to let kids work off some energy between two more structured attractions. The setting opens wide onto the lake, so you can watch the boats and the mine train go by while staying in a calm, themed atmosphere.
The Native American camp playground. Wooden structures, tepees, and walkways that kids can explore freely, right on the edge of the Frontierland lake. A handy place for children to let loose in a safe space while adults wait close by. No line and no schedule.
History
The playground opened in June 1996 as Pocahontas Indian Village, riding the success of the movie released the year before. It sits on the former landing for the Indian canoes (Indian Canoes, which ran from 1992 to 1994). It was renamed Frontierland Playground in June 2019, after the Pocahontas theme had faded over the years.
Technical specs
- Type Playground
- Opening date June 1996
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait none
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age kids
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
This ride has no Single Rider line. If you want to cut your wait, rely on Premier Access or get there at park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
This ride stays closed during Extra Magic Time and only opens when the park does.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- No wait at all to get to the play equipment
- A shady area with benches for parents
- Open views over the lake and Big Thunder Mountain
The downsides
- Fully exposed to the rain in bad weather
My verdict
Frontierland Playground is a Western-themed play area on the lakeshore, with wooden structures inspired by a Native American village. Access is free and there’s no line, and parents get a view of Big Thunder Mountain from the shaded benches.
It’s the perfect spot to let kids blow off steam while the grown-ups enjoy the scenery. Skip it in bad weather, since it’s entirely outdoors. It pairs nicely with a ride on the Thunder Mesa paddle wheeler right next door for a very easygoing 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 lines for the most popular rides?
To skip long lines at Disneyland Paris, I mix several strategies. 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 don’t mind boarding apart from your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that guarantees you priority entry on the headline rides. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and that’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without waiting. Last, heading to the busiest rides during a parade or a big show empties the lines dramatically.
02 Are the wait times posted in the park accurate?
Yes, the wait times shown in the app or on the park’s screens are generally accurate. They’re often equal to 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 under refurbishment during my vacation?
Disneyland Paris posts the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website several weeks ahead of time. Since the parks are open year-round, maintenance crews sometimes work on days the park is open, which leads to temporary closures. My tip: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before you book, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young kids?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can be a bit much for young kids, even with no height requirement. 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 moments. La Tanière du Dragon, beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, leans into its ghostly mood and stays pretty intense for little ones. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful scenes and darker ones. I recommend watching how your child reacts before you board.
05 How far ahead does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris shares its list of ride closures about 2 to 3 months ahead. For major rides, the park lets guests know about planned construction at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, since dates can change. That way you won’t get the nasty surprise of finding out on the spot that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment.
