The red stagecoach has returned, looking refurbished and repainted, to the Frontierland pathway leading to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. The stagecoach first became a part of Frontierland scenery around the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, then disappeared about a year ago.
Disneyland Stagecoach
The stagecoach is in a fenced-off area right next to the walkway. A stagecoach ride was part of Disneyland on opening day and while this coach looks vintage, it’s not one of the original coaches used at Disneyland.
Before it disappeared a year ago, the coach looked more dilapidated than it does now. It’s received a bright red coat of paint and some replaced parts.
As before, “Wilderness Expeditions and Delivery Service” is painted on the door. When abbreviated, this is the WED Service, with “WED” referring to Walter Elias Disney. WED Enterprises was also the original name for Walt Disney Imagineering.
The fictional organization is connected to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.), another fictional organization with references across Disney Parks that originated in Tokyo DisneySea.
The style of lettering on the stagecoach has also been connected to rival theme park Knott’s Berry Farm, with the “W” specifically looking like the “K” in the Knott’s Berry Farm logo. Knott’s Berry Farm has operated the horse-drawn Butterfield Stagecoach attraction since 1949, before Disneyland even opened. Whether the similar lettering is a coincidence or a purposeful reference is unknown.
Sticking out of one of the stagecoach windows is a cane.
A hat and a cane with a curved handle are also inside.
One of the pieces of luggage atop the stagecoach used to be addressed to Jason Chandler, but this tag has been removed or is no longer visible.
Jason Chandler is a fictional character who was to have been the founder of Discovery Bay, a land proposed by Imagineer Tony Baxter that never came to be. Chandler was incorporated into S.E.A. history as the organization’s president and the inventor of the drill used at Big Thunder Mountain. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is itself said to be in the town of Rainbow Ridge. The original Disneyland stagecoach ride was at one point known as Rainbow Mountain Stagecoach Ride.
The stagecoach is near Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is where Discovery Bay would have been.
There are still several suitcases and bags atop the stagecoach, and one large trunk on the back.
Though Disneyland doesn’t have many references to S.E.A., the upcoming Adventureland Treehouse does have a S.E.A. flag in concept art, implying its story may be connected to the organization.
The color scheme of red, yellow, and black matches the colors of some of the original Disneyland stagecoaches.
Are you excited to see this reference to Disneyland history back in the park? Let us know in the comments.
If you’re interested in the history of parks and attractions, check out these posts:
- Full History of “it’s a small world” at Disney Parks Around the Globe
- The Complete History of Splash Mountain at Disney Parks
- 40 Years of Sparks – The Complete History of Journey Into Imagination
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