Golden Horseshoe Saloon

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The Golden Horseshoe Saloon (referred to as Pecos Bill's Golden Horseshow Saloon during construction) ]]", opened in 1955 with several other original attractions at Disneyland Park. Over the years it has now housed multiple entertainment venues, currently showing Billy Hill and the Hillbillies seven days a week. The "saloon” is located in Frontierland and has a picturesque view of the Rivers of America, New Orleans Square and part of Critter Country.

The Golden Horseshoe Saloon unofficially opened on Wednesday, July 13, 1955, when Walt and Lillian Disney, along with dozens of guests, celebrated their 30th anniversary with a private party and premiere showing of the original Golden Horseshoe Revue.

On Saturday, July 16, 1955, the Golden Horseshoe opened a day early for a private party of corporate sponsors. This showed marked Wally Boag's first official performance as Pecos Bill/Traveling Salesman at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.

The first venue to open in the Saloon was Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Revue (mistakenly spelled review when the correct word should have been "revue") on July 17, 1955. This variety show ran a record 39,000 times and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running musical of all time. One of the features of the show, was to have children from the audience, sing and dance on stage. "Davey Crockett," was a favorite song perfomed by the guests.

In 1962, Ron Miller, son in law to Walt Disney, directed a made-for-television movies by the same title. The film starred Disney darling, Annette Funicello, Ed Wynn, Betty Taylor, Gene Sheldon, Wally Boag and Walt Disney himself.

Productions shown in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon over the years have included:

• The Golden Horseshoe Revue ~ from July 16, 1955 until October 12, 1986 starring over the years ~ Wally Boag, Betty Taylor, Don Novis, Fulton Burly, Dick Hardwick, Jack Watson, Judy Marsh, Burt Henry, Dana Daniels, Jay Meyer, Kirk Wall, Jimmy Adams, Don Payne, and many others.
• The Golden Horseshoe Jamboree Show ~ from November 1, 1986 until December 18, 1994 starring over the years ~ Judi Wallace, Judy Bell, Heather Paige Kent, John Eaden, Don Payne, Gil Christner,Jpe Jacoby, Eric Gunhus and many others.
• Billy Hill and the Hillbillies ~ from December 22, 1994 until present starring over the years ~ Kirk Wall, Dennis Fetchet, John Marshall, Evan Marshall, John Eaden, Duane Michaels, Rick Storey, Anders Swanson, and many others.
• The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show with Dana Daniels ~ from June 13, 1995 until October 8, 2003 ~ Starring over the years Dana Daniels,Richard Allen, Hal Ratliff and others.
• Woody's Round-up ~ from November 21, 1999 until July 17, 2000 ~
• Frontierland: The Little Town That Could ~ ran occasionally from 2001 until 2003 starring the players from Laughing Stock and Company including John Eaden, Kevin Gregg, Ken Parks, Danny Roque and Cory Rouse.

Various other evening entertainments have appeared there over the years including Alabama, Louis Armstrong, various jazz and gospel groups and special events.

The interior of the saloon was designed by Harper Goff, the same person who designed a saloon set for the movie "Calamity Jane" starring Doris Day. Goff was already working on designing exteriors for buildings on Main Street USA when asked to work on this project.

Today, the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is still popular inside and out. For years Disneyland served chili at the bar as well as drinks and deserts. Outside on the front balcony, there is a periodic, comedic wild west shoot-em' up show performed by Laughing Stock and Company that always draws a crowd.

[edit] References

• The History of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon Pages. Retrieved on 2006-12-17.