Join us for a look around the new Disney Vacation Club member lounge, McKim’s Mile House, in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House — A Member Lounge
Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House — A Member Lounge takes over the former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade space. The opening-day attraction closed last summer. The lounge is between a Disney Vacation Club kiosk, which closed temporarily for refurbishment, and Frontier Trading Post, the Magic Kingdom pin store. The façade retains the basic look of the old shooting arcade, but the game space has been closed in with a wall.
The game platform now acts as a porch. McKim’s Mile House is modeled after the mile houses of the American frontier, which were essentially Wild West rest stops for travelers.
The lounge is “The Frontier’s Best Kept Secret,” according to a mural on a brick wall. This is a reference to the old Disney Vacation Club slogan, “Discover the best kept Disney secret.”
There are posters, flyers, and letters plastered to the walls outside the lounge. These advertise and explore the lore of McKim’s Mile House. This flyer explains the policy for Getaway Stagecoach Line, in increasingly smaller text:
It is our policy that each and every passenger that books passage on our coaches will receive the most comfortable, scenic ride possible. We have made every possible effort to provide the finest eating and sleeping facilities. All upstanding gentlefolk will be treated with the utmost respect and consideration while on their journey. Any ruffians not wishing to comply will be put off at the first mail stop to be delivered to justice. It is our goal to get you to your destination healthy and uninjured.
We will not accept responsibility for acts of banditry, cattle drivers, breakdowns, ponies with minds of their own, or any other unforeseen conditions that may result in being delayed or not arriving to your destination. We cannot be expected to notify next of kin in the event of hootin’, hollerin’, or an unexpected good time.
Thank you for choosing Getaway
A note pinned to the corner reads, “See Gracie for unofficial policy!” Gracie is one of the original characters of the lounge, seemingly the proprietor and head of the McKim family. Though the family in the backstory is fictional, the lounge is named after real-life Imagineer and Disney Legend Sam McKim, who drew concept art for Frontierland in Disneyland Park.
Other flyers advertise The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Need a quick getaway? Take the scenic route!
To the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Overland Accommodations
Hole up in cabin country to to enjoy the finest accommodations in the wilderness.
Routes departing twice daily.
A Faithful Old Route
Direct coach services to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
See scenic Fire Rock Geyser, Boulder Ridge, and Copper Creek
Gracie is mentioned again on a brochure for Getaway Stagecoach Line: “Need to get away? Gracie’s your gal!”
One flyer says guests will find their “home on the range away from home,” a reference to a classic folk song but more pertinently the oft-forgotten 2004 Disney film, “Home on the Range.”
Another reads, “Hold yer horses! Cool yer heels! Our coach service now includes meals!”
This wall features pinned post cards and letters to Gracie.
Diego “Vaquero” (Spanish for “Cowboy”) Chavez wrote:
That town wasn’t big enough for the two of us. But these towns east seem plenty big. I reckon you could fit five people in some of ’em!
Victoria B. Columbia (a reference to Victoria, British Columbia) wrote to Gracie:
We decided to stop at Chateau de Voyage on the train home. You were right, that maple taffy is the best I’ve ever tasted, and the views of the Rocky Mountains were something the children and I will never forget!
This paper is addressed to the McKim Family at the McKim Mile House. It’s from Billie the Kit — an allusion to Billy the Kid — at Fort Ferret.
This letter is about Disney’s Beach Club Resort, including a nod to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, plus a reference to the “runaway mine trains” of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Ahoy Miss Gracie,
I came to you a humble sheriff fixin’ to get outta Dodge. Wouldn’t you know it, corralling runaway mine trains and performing bears is harder than it looks. ‘Cause of you and my new home at the Beach Club, the world is once again my (much more manageable) oyster.
Best of all is the relaxation. Adventure on the sea is right there when I want it, but until then it’s all beaches and cream.
Seaside Salutations,
Former Sheriff C.U. Leighter
It seems Mr. G “Old Digger” traveled to Disney California Adventure. His letter features references to Grizzly Peak, Soarin’ Over California, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Howdy Ms. Gracie,
I set out for California to find gold in these here hills, but I didn’t realize they were mountains. One even looks like a bear! Ain’t nature amazing?
I confess I’ve done more hiking than mining since I arrived. These grand Californian redwoods just make you want to get up and ‘attem. And the wildlife. I’ve seen bears, chipmunks, rabbits, and even a few condors soaring over California.
I know I said I’d be back once I struck it rich, but I’m starting to think the real treasure out here is the peace and quiet.
Best regards,
Mr. G a.k.a. “Old Digger”
Gracie helped this runaway bride escape to Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Bonjour Gracie,
I can’t thank you enough for helping me plan my “Getaway” from my fiancé! I thought you said the boat would drop me off in “ol prairie.” Imagine my surprise when I woke up in Paris, France! I made my way down to the Riviera and discovered a whole new me! I traded my bridal veil for a chapeau, and my wedding dress for a fashionable pair of pantalets. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to ride a horse without seven layers of skirts getting caught up in your spurs!
Thanks for getting me hitched to a stagecoach instead of a fella.
Au revoir,
“Oh la” Laura
This letter references the recently opened Disney Vacation Club Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows:
Aloha Gracie,
So this is what you meant by island getaways! I was confused when my coach drove onto a steamer ship, but by the time we reached Polynesia I was one overjoyed outlaw.
I can finally relax at this here Island Tower. Just think, me robbing all those stagecoaches and now one takes me to the nicest digs I ever done stayed in.
I’m a bandit no more. I heard talk in the village about ocean “way finding.” With the local paniolos — that’s Hawaiian for cowboys. The future looks bright, or maybe that’s the island sun. Better find my hat!
Thanks again!
The Sunburned Kid
A horse auction poster is next to a door. The auction poster was already in this area and another version of the poster can actually be seen on Main Street, U.S.A. This door is not a guest entrance to the lounge.
The lounge has a modest entrance. To the left is a sign for the lounge.
It features the lounge’s full name and tagline: “Home to the pioneers of hospitality.”
Above the door is the number 1850. The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was set in the year 1850, in the town of Tombstone, Arizona.
Inside, chairs are gathered around small tables. There are plush armchairs, cushioned armless chairs, stools, and benches with various upholstery colors. The lounge has floral wallpaper and a wood-paneled wall with lanterns emitting warm light.
A TV screen displays trivia and DVC information.
Charging ports are built into the tables and below the benches. Charging cords are available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis. A DVC representative is available for questions.
The bench seats and chair backs have textured paisley patterns.
A rafter is painted with floral filigree. There is a stone chimney on the wood wall.
A painting of a horse outside McKim’s Mile House hangs above the fireplace. A fake fire crackles behind the grate.
On the mantelpiece is a pair of black and white photos, possibly of McKim family members or their guests. The mantle is also adorned with a tin train and riverboat figure.
The pictures on the wall include some of Sam McKim’s Frontierland sketches, generic artwork of the American West, and portraits of the fictional McKim family. There are also some drawings apparently by the McKim children.
A cross-stitch of a horse-drawn stagecoach reads, “To a friend’s house the way is never long.”
More portraits and drawings are in cabinets.
There are white tiles with blue flowers behind the “kitchen.” There are two Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.
A couple of Keurig coffee machines sit on the counter, along with everything you need to brew your drink. Prop brass pots and pans hang above the counter.
There are complimentary snacks, including potato chips. Complimentary soft drinks are available. Firewood is stacked next to the kitchenette.
There’s a second floor not accessible to guests. A sign across the stairs says the second floor is “closed for cleanin’.”
Hanging on the stairs is a famous Hudson’s Bay point blanket. Small suitcases and bags sit outside three doors for fake boarding rooms.
Names are scrawled on the chalkboards on each door: B.T. Bullion, M. Davis, and Hoot.
Barnabas T. Bullion is a fictional character related to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, at one point owning the Big Thunder Mining Company.
M. Davis is a reference to Disney Legend Marc Davis.
Hoot is probably a reference to the owl narrator planned for Western River Expedition, an unbuilt Frontierland attraction. The owl would have been named Hoot Gibson after rodeo and Western film actor Edmund Richard “Hoot” Gibson. The Hoot Gibson animatronic appeared on Main Street to advertise the ride before it was ultimately canceled.
There are windows looking out on Frontierland. Another balcony is on this side of the room but the doors don’t feature any names.
Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House – A Member Lounge is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Access is open to DVC members eligible for Membership Extras. They must present a valid Membership Card and photo ID with matching names at check-in. They can bring up to four guests per Membership Card, or the number of guests on their resort reservation booked with their Membership. Strollers must remain parked outside and children cannot be left unattended in the lounge.
Watch our video tour of McKim’s Mile House below.
Also check out our tour of Disney Vacation Club ImaginAtrium – A Member Lounge at EPCOT.
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