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. 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 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.
The Review closed in 1986 and was replaced in the same year by the Golden Horseshoe Variety Show, a similar production that ultimately closed in 1994.
Others productions in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon have included the current Billy Hill and the Hillbillies and Woody's Roundup, the latter based on the Disney-Pixar movie, "Toy Story."
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 saloon is still popular inside and out. For years Disneyland has served chili at the bar among other drinks and deserts. Outside on the front balcony, there is a periodic, comedic wild west shoot-em' up show that always draws a crowd.
