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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, BTMRR for those who love acronyms, is the fastest ride in the west, pardners. Yee Haw! Come on y’all jump on and take a ride.
Warning: This is a rough roller coaster, probably one of the roughest of all the Walt Disney World roller coasters. But it is also one of the most thrilling rides west of the Pecos (that probably should be east of the Pecos, huh?)
The Fastest Ride in the West
The Location
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is way back in the back corner of the Magic Kingdom in Frontierland. It’s behind Splash Mountain and across from Tom Sawyer Island. You can’t miss it. It’s the big orange mountain.
Dad’s Frontierland page
Waiting Area
The waiting area is fashioned after an old time train station but has no windows so during the summer it get very warm while waiting in line. The lines snake around and are sometimes deceptively long. Make sure you look at the waiting time clock before you get in line. It’s usually fairly accurate.
You’ll hear an occasional train whistle. It’s not from the trains, just piped in to make things more interesting.
It’s better at night
The Attraction
BTMRR takes you on a train ride through an abandoned mine town. As you leave the train station you start a climb up the rock encased track passing a waterfall to the top of the mountain. Then the fun starts.
If you can open your eyes you’ll see rocks and bridges and cactus and the leftovers from a town that’s been washed away by a desert flood (including a bathtub with a bather still in it) and lots more. It all flies by real fast.
There are tight turns, dips and bumps and 2 big drops. There’s a lot of great stuff to see as you fly through Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Keep your eyes open and take it in.
The Postshow
When you get off the train, you walk right back out into the park (and probably right down the hill to Splash Mountain.)
History
Uncle Walt’s boys took their inspiration for the mountain from the rock buttes around Monument Valley, Utah.
- The ride opened in the Magic Kingdom in 1980. (The Disneyland ride opened in 1979)
- It was the second mountain in the Magic Kingdom after Space Mountain.
- The ride duration is 3 and a half minutes and reaches top speed of a whopping 30 mph (although you’d swear it was going faster).
- There are 20 audio-animatronic figures along the ride.
Check out the goat
Fun Facts
Several fun filled animals can be found along the tracks, a billy goat guards the top of the mountain, a family of possums are hiding about the entrance to the cave, and bats, chickens, and donkeys can be found throughout the ride.
- For added fun guests should ride once during the day and then take the same adventure with a different spin by riding it at night.
- Thrill seekers may want to sit in the back of the train for more of a wild ride, but, may miss out on some of the scenery.
- Guests who do not want to wait in long lines may want to go during parade times because the line is shorter.
- This was the first Disney attraction to use computer aided design in its creation.
It’s just beautiful
Dad’s Ride Table
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad |
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| Description: A wild ride through an Old West abandoned mine. | ||||||||||||
| Height Requirement – 40 inches | Fastpass:Yes | Length of Ride: 90 seconds | ||||||||||
| Type of ride: Roller Coaster with bar over lap restraint | ||||||||||||
| Best time to ride: Early in the morning, during parades, after a rain shower | ||||||||||||
Dad’s Ratings
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| Other Information: This ride will close quickly when it rains, this ride does allow Rider Switch | ||||||||||||
Are You Tall Enough?
Is your child tall enough to ride? Yes, there is a height requirement to ride Big Thunder Mountain.
You have to be at least 40 inches tall to ride.
Dad’s Disney World Height Requirements page
The Fine Print
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| Photo by – Jeff B. |
Every roller coaster ride has some fine print, so here it is.
Most of these probably should be headed.
- Expectant mothers should not ride.
- Service animals are not allowed on this ride.
- Riders should be in good health, free from high blood pressure, heart, neck or back problems. This ride may aggravate motion sickness. (Dad can do it, and he’s a wimp.)
- Guest must transfer from wheelchair or other motorized vehicle to enjoy this ride.
- Guest with small children may take turns riding this ride. Ask a cast member about doing a baby swap.
- Fastpasses sometimes run out prior to the end of the day.
Again, this is a rough ride.
Check out Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad page
Yes, there are crowds
Avoiding the Crowds
All three Mountains draw a crowd for most of the day. You can avoid the crowds by using FASTPASS, or by riding early or late in the day. The best way to avoid crowds on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is to have a great plan. Dad recommends Touringplans.com to help you design the Perfect plan to avoid lines not only in Frontierland but for your whole Disney World experience. Check them out.
Dad’s Touringplans.com page
Dad’s Bottom Line
This is a prime example of what sets Disney World apart from other theme parks. Uncle Walt and the boys take a cheesy roller coaster and build a story around it and the ride turns into a classic not to be missed thriller. It’s incredible.
It’s Mrs. Mom’s favorite roller coaster.
Enjoy it if you can, but at least take a good look at it. The theming is outstanding.
