Big Thunder Mountain
The 'Wildest Ride in the Wilderness'! A thrilling, family-friendly mine train coaster through a mystical mountain.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the crowds
Big Thunder Mountain
Best Time
Beat the crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
The 'Wildest Ride in the Wilderness'! A thrilling, family-friendly mine train coaster through a mystical mountain.
"A must-do for anyone visiting the park! Fun and exciting ride—great for all ages!"
Secure Your Belongings! :athletic_shoe:
Keep hats and glasses secure; they can fly off during the ride!
Capture the Moment :camera_with_flash:
Try to snap photos during the ride, but be mindful of securing your device.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
Frontierland
Experience a thrilling runaway mine train adventure through a mystical mountain. Expect twists, turns, and surprises!
The Story of Barnabas T. Bullion
Queue Area
Uncover the lore of the gold rush and the legendary prospector behind this iconic attraction.
Spectacular Mountain Scenery
Throughout the ride
Marvel at the detailed rockwork and immersive theming that brings the legend of Big Thunder Mountain to life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Ride with Confidence
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Secure Your Belongings! :athletic_shoe:
Keep hats and glasses secure; they can fly off during the ride!
Capture the Moment :camera_with_flash:
Try to snap photos during the ride, but be mindful of securing your device.
Check Refurbishment Schedules :calendar:
The ride may close for maintenance. Check park calendars before your visit.
Family-Friendly Thrills :child:
Perfect for all ages, with excitement but no inversions.
Tips
from all over the internet
Secure Your Belongings! :athletic_shoe:
Keep hats and glasses secure; they can fly off during the ride!
Capture the Moment :camera_with_flash:
Try to snap photos during the ride, but be mindful of securing your device.
Check Refurbishment Schedules :calendar:
The ride may close for maintenance. Check park calendars before your visit.
Family-Friendly Thrills :child:
Perfect for all ages, with excitement but no inversions.
Consider Genie+ :ticket:
To minimize wait times, consider using the park's skip-the-line service.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is consistently praised as a classic, family-friendly thrill ride with excellent theming and exciting twists. Guests love its engaging backstory and the fun, bumpy adventure it provides. While standby lines can be long, the ride's appeal for all ages makes it a must-do.
""Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an absolute classic, but the recent upgrades have made it even better! The new dynamite effect is a fantastic addition, and the bleating goat at the first drop is a hilarious, nostalgic touch that I'll never get tired of. As a huge fan of both trains and roller coasters, this ride is a perfect combination. It's a thrilling, family-friendly adventure with just the right amount of excitement. A must-do for anyone visiting the park!""
Fredericksburg Gutter and Lawn
"Fun and exciting ride—great for all ages!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was a really fun ride! The train-themed coaster has just the right mix of speed, turns, and scenery to keep it exciting without being too intense. It’s a great choice for both kids and adults, and we had a blast riding it.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a classic Disneyland thrill ride!"
Halide Ebcinoglu
"Such an amazing ride that you can go over and over again. Big Thunder Mountain is another one of my favorite ride at Disneyland. The standby lines can take long but on a good day like when I went, there was like only a 5 minute wait. It's so much fun and of course you should try to take pictures during the ride since this is like a Rollercoaster. I also took off my hat since I wasn't want to take the risk of losing my Project Rock hat.. The staff are friendly and it will feel like only a second once the ride is over. We were able to go twice since the day we went before Halloween Fest became live didn't have a lot of people at the theme park."
Peter Xaymountry
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is located in Frontierland at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. You can reach Disneyland via various transportation methods, including driving, ride-sharing, or public transit. For a unique approach, consider taking the Pacific Surfliner train to Anaheim and then using a shuttle service to the park.
Yes, you can take public transportation to the Disneyland Resort area. The Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) system provides shuttle services from various points in Anaheim, and the Pacific Surfliner train stops in Anaheim, with shuttles available to the parks.
You'll find Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, a themed land that evokes the American Old West. It's a prominent landmark within the park.
While parts of the mountain are visible, the full experience and scale of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are best appreciated from within Disneyland Park.
Once inside Disneyland Park, follow signs for Frontierland. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a major attraction in this area and is well-signposted.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a standard attraction within Disneyland Park. A valid park admission ticket is required to enter Disneyland, and then you can ride Big Thunder Mountain.
Wait times can vary significantly based on the day and time. On busy days, standby lines can be long, sometimes exceeding 60 minutes. Consider visiting during off-peak hours or using Genie+ to reduce your wait.
Disneyland offers Genie+ which allows you to book return times for Lightning Lane access to many attractions, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Operating hours for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad generally align with the park's hours. It's always best to check the official Disneyland app or website for the most up-to-date hours on the day of your visit.
Yes, you can ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as many times as you wish, provided you are willing to wait in line or utilize Genie+ for each ride.
🎫 🎢 Onsite Experience
The height requirement for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is 32 inches (81 cm). This makes it accessible for many younger guests, though it's still a thrilling ride.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is considered a family-friendly coaster with no inversions. While it has thrilling moments, it's generally not too scary for most children who meet the height requirement.
You'll board a runaway mine train that speeds through a mountain, encountering twists, turns, drops, and special effects like dynamite explosions and a bat cave. It's designed to feel like a wild adventure.
Yes, the ride features several special effects, including a dynamite explosion sequence and a cave filled with bats. Recent upgrades have enhanced these effects.
While you can attempt to take photos or videos, it's strongly advised to secure your device. The ride's movements can make it difficult and risky to capture clear footage.
📸 📸 Photography
Great photo opportunities exist from various points in Frontierland, including the queue line and surrounding areas. You can also capture the mountain's silhouette against the sky.
It's possible to take photos from the ride, but it's challenging due to the motion. Ensure your device is securely held, or consider a chest mount for a hands-free experience.
The entrance to Frontierland and the bridge leading into the land offer classic views of the mountain. The ride's theming provides many picturesque moments.
A smartphone with good image stabilization is suitable for quick shots. For more professional photos, a camera with a versatile lens can capture the scale and details of the mountain.
Generally, photography is allowed in most public areas of the park. However, be mindful of other guests and avoid obstructing pathways.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The theming is engaging, with a fun backstory about a runaway mine train and prospectors. 🎢 Thrill-Seekers on a Budget
While wait times can be long, strategically planning your visit during less crowded times or utilizing any available skip-the-line options can maximize your ride count. 📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Legend of Big Thunder Mountain
The attraction's design emphasizes the untamed nature of the mountain. Riders board a mine train that is meant to be out of control, hurtling through canyons, caves, and past abandoned mining equipment. The detailed rockwork, sound effects, and lighting all contribute to the feeling of a genuine, albeit magical, adventure. The ride's ability to tell a story while providing thrills is a hallmark of Disney Imagineering.
Across different Disney parks, variations of Big Thunder Mountain exist, each with its unique charm. While the core concept remains, details in the theming and layout can differ, offering distinct experiences for those who visit multiple locations.
+1Ride Experience and Thrills
The attraction utilizes multiple trains running simultaneously on the track, thanks to its three lift hills. This design allows for a high capacity and a continuous sense of motion, keeping the adventure flowing. Riders often describe the experience as a perfect blend of speed, scenic views, and surprising jolts that keep them engaged from start to finish.
Some riders have even noted that the ride's motion can potentially help with the passage of kidney stones, a quirky observation that has gained some traction online.
Disneyland Paris vs. Other Versions
+1While the core experience of a runaway mine train is consistent across parks, subtle differences exist. For instance, the Disneyland Paris version is situated on an island in the middle of the Rivers of America, adding a unique geographical element.
+1 Comparisons between the Paris and other versions, like the one in California, often highlight these distinct environmental and thematic nuances. It's worth noting that the Disneyland Paris version has also undergone refurbishments, and its reopening dates are eagerly anticipated by fans.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit