Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Disneyland Resort)
From MouseInfo
Board a runaway mine train and hold on to those hats and glasses, 'cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!
Contents |
Special Tips
| Location: | Frontierland. |
|---|---|
| Ride Type: | Roller coaster. |
| Height Req.: | 40" (102 cm) or taller . |
| Fastpass: | Yes (on weekends and busy days). |
| Single Rider: | No. |
| Child Swap: | Yes. |
| Avg. Wait*: | 40-50 minutes. |
| Ride Length: | 3 minutes and 25 seconds. |
| Ride Capacity: | About 30 people per train, up to 6 adults per car. Two children may ride with one adult per row. A child can also sit with two adults per row. |
| Operating Hours: | Park opening to park closing. |
| *Wait times my vary widely on a number of factors including crowd levels, showtimes, and hour of the day. | |
- Try to catch this ride at night as it's a thrillingly different experience in the dark.
- Sit in the back of the train for a faster ride.
- Many Disney enthusiasts like to try what is affectionately known as the “goat trick.” If you are sitting in the back row or towards the back of the train, be on the lookout for the goat with dynamite in its mouth. As you descend the hill that he is perched upon, keep your gaze on him and turn to keep watching him as long as you can. The whip-around on the banked turn increases the feelings of inertia which includes a dizzying sensation. If you are prone to motion sickness, you might want to skip the goat trick.
Fun Facts
- This attraction opened September 15, 1979.
- The theme for this attraction was inspired by the Gold Rush and Bryce Canyon, Utah.
- Disney Imagineers searched for items to include as themeing for the attraction at swap meets, auctions, ghost towns, and abandoned mines throughout the western United States.
- The Old Western buildings in the queue area and finale of the roller coaster were from the town of Rainbow Ridge from the 1956 attraction the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad replaced this attraction; the colored pools next to the ride’s first lift hill are a tribute to the attraction.
- Each of the engines on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have unique names: I.B. Hearty, I.M. Brave, I.M. Fearless, U.B. Bold, U.R. Courageous, and U.R. Daring.
Safety and Accessibility
- Safety Considerations: You should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this attraction. Expectant mothers should not ride. Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
- Wheelchair Accessible: No. Guests must be able to transfer from wheelchair or ECV to experience this attraction. A special transfer-accessible vehicle is available to allow easier transfer from wheelchair to attraction vehicle.
- Hearing Disability Services: No.
- Visual Disability Services: No.
- Service Animals:Not allowed.
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Attraction Details
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was originally planned to be part of a Western Pavilion in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The ride idea was put on hold while Space Mountain was constructed and designed. And that was probably a good thing. The attraction was the first Disney ride to utilize a computer-aided design, so a smoother ride was produced.
The attraction finally opened in 1979, with the Magic Kingdom version opening a year later.
The ride has a pretty extensive back-story: in the late 1800s, gold was discovered in the sacred Native American mountain the Natives called "Thunder Mountain". It was also cursed. Tragedy occurred around the mountain, and the mining town that grew around it soon became a ghost town after a devastating earthquake hit. One day, someone returned to the mountain and found the mine trains racing around it. The ride was then opened up for tourists.
On September 5, 2003, a man was killed when one of the trains derailed. 11 other riders were injured.
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References
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See Also
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