Little Patch of Heaven Petting Farm (2004–2005)

The Little Patch of Heaven Petting Farm (2004–2005) was a temporary petting zoo at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, launched to promote Disney’s animated film Home on the Range (released April 2, 2004). Themed after the movie’s idyllic farm, it featured farm animals and tie-in decor, running from April 2004 to late 2005 before reverting to the standard Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo.

Here are 10 fun facts about the Little Patch of Heaven Petting Farm:

1. Film Promotion Launch: The petting zoo opened on April 2, 2004, coinciding with the theatrical release of Home on the Range, transforming Big Thunder Ranch into the film’s Little Patch of Heaven farm, owned by the character Pearl Gesner.
2. Pearl’s Cottage Redesign: The ranch’s log cabin, typically called Miss Chris’ Cabin, was rethemed as Pearl’s Cottage, decorated with props like framed photos of the film’s animal characters, including cows Maggie, Grace, and Mrs. Calloway.
3. Alameda Slim Wanted Poster: A prominent prop was a “Wanted” poster for the film’s villain, Alameda Slim, displayed near the petting zoo entrance, which remained at Big Thunder Ranch even after the promotion ended.
4. Farm Animal Stars: The petting zoo housed goats, sheep, pigs, and cows, reflecting the film’s livestock, with signage featuring cartoon images of the movie’s animals to connect the real creatures to their animated counterparts.
5. Interactive Petting Area: Guests could pet and feed animals in an open pen, with cast members dressed as ranch hands providing grain buckets and sharing facts about the animals, mimicking Pearl’s nurturing farm role.
6. Movie Character Signage: Signs around the ranch showcased Home on the Range characters like Sheriff Sam Brown and Buck the horse, with playful descriptions tying their stories to the petting zoo’s Western setting.
7. Rustic Ranch Decor: The area was adorned with hay bales, wooden fences, and checkered tablecloths, enhancing the film’s 1880s farm aesthetic, complete with flowerbeds evoking the “pretty as pie” lyric from the movie’s theme song.
8. Seasonal Integration: The petting farm retained its Home on the Range theming during 2004’s Halloween and Christmas seasons, with added decorations like pumpkins or wreaths complementing the Pearl’s Cottage setup.
9. Revived Petting Zoo: The promotion marked the return of Big Thunder Ranch’s petting zoo, dormant since 1996 when the Hunchback of Notre Dame Festival of Fools show took over, making it a fresh draw for families.
10. Brief Run: The Little Patch of Heaven overlay ended in late 2005 due to the film’s lackluster box office performance, with the petting zoo continuing as part of Big Thunder Ranch until its permanent closure in 2016.