Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Magic Kingdom · Frontierland
Overview
The queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad contains real 19th-century mining equipment Disney acquired for the attraction, which is a strange amount of authenticity for a ride whose whole premise is a runaway mine train. That premise pays off outdoors: banked turns and speed bursts through a hollowed-out red-rock butte, past animated geysers and flooding caverns, with no significant drops but more lateral force than the 35 mph top speed suggests. It reads faster than it is, which is most of the trick.
ParksLog Verdict
Ride it once in daylight and once after dark — the mine lighting changes the whole tone, and the back row genuinely does whip harder through the turns. This is the rare Magic Kingdom coaster with a height requirement low enough for most of the family and a ride quality high enough that nobody feels like they compromised. Worth a second lap if the Lightning Lane line is short.
About this experience
Race through a haunted gold mine aboard a speeding train on this thrilling coaster-style ride.
Best For
- Thrill seekers
- Families with older children meeting the height requirement
- Western and adventure theme fans
Tips
- Ride at night for a completely different atmosphere when mine lighting takes over the experience
- Request the back row for the most intense ride — cars whip harder through turns from the rear
- Lightning Lane wait times are usually short here; use it if standby exceeds 30 minutes
Details
History
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1980, inspired by the 1979 Walt Disney World concept developed from the Disneyland original of the same year. It is frequently called 'the wildest ride in the wilderness' in Disney marketing.
Closure history
- Jan 6, 2025 - May 2, 2026
Fun Facts
- The queue contains genuine mining artifacts acquired by Disney, including a 19th-century stamp mill
- The mountain theming was inspired by Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
- The attraction opened 10 years after Magic Kingdom's debut in 1971, making it one of the park's first major post-opening additions