Big Thunder Ranch, Circus Fantasy, and Disneyland’s Unbuilt Indy Show (Ep. 95)

Jim Hill and Len Testa continue their Disneyland history series by revisiting Big Thunder Ranch just after its January 2016 closure. Jim explains how the ranch began as a temporary attraction and describes the ambitious Indiana Jones show once planned for that corner of the park. They also explore Circus Fantasy and other off-season events, then discuss the drone-show proposals Disney was pursuing in early 2016.

Original Air Date: January 15, 2016 (estimated)
Original Title: History of Disneyland

HIGHLIGHTS

• Big Thunder Ranch’s animals, barbecue restaurant, and origins as a temporary addition.
• The planned Young Indiana Jones spectacular and its use of the Disneyland Railroad.
• Operating costs, train schedules, and competing attractions that complicated the stunt-show proposal.
• The connection Jim draws between the abandoned show and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
• Circus Fantasy’s tightrope walkers, human cannonball, and motorcycle acts.
• How off-season events supported Disneyland’s move to a seven-day operating schedule.
• Tomorrowland’s late-1980s crowds and the pressure to develop Splash Mountain.
• Disney’s 2016 drone applications and the hosts’ discussion of possible nighttime shows.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
View transcript here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill: X and Instagram @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa: Bluesky @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram @len.testa | touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• YouTube and TikTok: @jimhillmedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Produced by Aaron Adams

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Jim and Len revisit Big Thunder Ranch, an unbuilt Indiana Jones stunt show, and the circus events that brought new crowds to Disneyland.

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