The Disney Attractions Discussion Series: Big Thndr Mountain

[The Little Merman]

<b>The Disney Attractions Discussion Series
Part One - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6648" target="_blank">Space Mountain</a>
Part Two - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6699" target="_blank">Peter Pan's Flight</a>
Part Three - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6739" target="_blank">Pirates of the Caribbean</a>
Part Four - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6774" target="_blank">Tom Sawyer's Island</a>
Part Five - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6828" target="_blank">It's A Small World</a>
Part Six - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6903" target="_blank">Star Tours</a>
Part Seven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7004" target="_blank">Splash Mountain</a>
Part Eight - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7183" target="_blank">Mr Toad's Wild Ride</a>
Part Nine - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7388" target="_blank">The Haunted Mansion</a>
Part Ten - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... hp?t=14225" target="_blank">Soarin'</a>
Part Eleven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... p?p=226391" target="_blank">The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror</a>
Part Twelve - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad</b>



<b>Statistics</b>
*27 years ago <i>Big Thunder Mountain Railroad</i> made it's grand debut in 1979 at Disneyland.
*Walt Disney World received its <i>Big Thunder Mountain Railroad</i> in 1980.
*Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain's design is based on the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. All the other parks' versions are based on the rising buttes that are located in Utah/Arizona's Monument Valley.

[Loomis]

Another interesting fact:

*5 September 2003: A 22-year-old man, Marcelo Torres of Gardena, California, died, and several other guests were injured, when a locomotive separated from its train along a tunnel section of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Torres bled to death after suffering blunt force trauma of the chest. (From Snopes)

Ok, that fact was less fun

I believe that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of those perfect rollercoaster rides for everybody. It is fast, and has a few swift curves, but it is never too 'scary'. There are no loops or upside-down turns, making it a "thrill" ride without being a heart-attack inducer. We both really enjoyed BTMR.

The ride itself has an iconic look:

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/ ... 05/020.jpg" width=400 height=267>
(From my private collection) </center>

This really helps add the right mood to the Frontierland area, which is one of my favourite areas in the park. I think I always wanted to be a cowboy.

For comparison, try the Callico Mine over at Knott's. It isn't very good (in my opinion), but many reckon it is where Disney got the idea. Even if they did, I think BTMR is a vast improvement over the Knott's concept. In a way, that's what Disney is best at: even with concepts that people are already familiar with (the old west, New Orleans, haunted houses, pirates); they take the idea to a whole new level.

[BrandonH]

If you want a different view of the fireworks, Big Thunder is a fun place to view them from. You just have to time it right.

This seems tamer than it used to be. I don't know if it's because I'm older or if they slowed it down after the death. Despite that, it's still one of the most fun places to go in Disneyland.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Another interesting fact:

*5 September 2003: A 22-year-old man, Marcelo Torres of Gardena, California, died, and several other guests were injured, when a locomotive separated from its train along a tunnel section of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Torres bled to death after suffering blunt force trauma of the chest. (From Snopes)

Ok, that fact was less fun

I like Loomis' mean spirted and crude sense of humor!

As for this ride, it's a great ride.

I personally like the one at Magic Kingdom better though. It's bigger and has a few more tiny details to look at.

But the one at Disneyland is still good.

Personally though, after riding it at DL on July, it actually felt more wild BEFORE the accident. Odd.

BTW- When you get to the "town" at the end, did anyone hear what those voices say? One time I heard one of them say "Be back Tuesday Mam"!

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

The ultimate hands-in-the-air, scream-because-you're-having-so-much-fun roller coaster. LOVE it on both coasts. Pretty tame, but never boring, ride-wise or visually.

The death at Disneyland was a terrible tragedy and it made me really angry that they would have been so lax in ride maintenance and such until something terrible like that happened. But I am glad that they've stepped it up and that they handled the situation honestly...admitting there were problems with the training of the cast and taking on the responsibility.

Anyway, I don't want to end on a sad note; I'm glad the ride works smoothly and safely again; I love the wildest ride in the wilderness!!!!

[Escapay]

From what I've read, it's best to go on BTMR in mid/late afternoon during hot summers, because the oil on the track is at its hottest and greasiest, making it much faster.

From a rider's point-of-view, BTMR is one of those coasters that make going to DL or WDW worth all the lines, the heat, the excessive prices, etc.

From a castmember's point of view (well, mainly an OutDoor Foods castmember), working a stand within the vicinity of BTMR is the worst, because it's:

1. The farthest from the garage (where we call for restocking our stuff), so re-stocking orders normally take the longest and we often run out of stuff in the summer (namely water, which pisses off the guests)
2. In the bottleneck area (BTMR, SM, WDW Railroad), so there will always be a lot of people no matter what.
3. The bottleneck is not part of the Utilidor, making it an extra long walk to get backstage (aside from the SM breakroom)

We've got 4 Frontierland bottleneck stands, three of which are arguably the worst in ODF to be assigned to, and one of which is always my favorite:

1. Popcorn 9: Thunder Popcorn - also called Mountain Pop, it's a Popcorn/water/soda stand right by the entrance to Big Thunder Mountain. So not only is it convenient for guests who want to buy a water on such a hot day before falling in line for BTMR, it's also convenient for guests who just get off of BTMR and is in the mood for a nice cold water. I hate this stand with a passion, mainly because one of my worst days of work (April 4, 2005) was here, and mainly because it's just a horrible place to work.

2. Ice Cream 7: Splash Ice Cream - Located right off the bridge between Frontierland and the bottleneck, close to FLEM and Thunder Popcorn. It's got ice cream/water/powerade/lemonade, and is perhaps the second busiest ice cream stand in the park (Ice Cream 1: Exposition Hall Ice Cream is the busiest). I never had to work a full shift here, only ever did relief shifts, but it's horrible nonetheless. Whenever a castmember's been bad, they get assigned here.

3. FLEM - Frozen Lemonade. Over the radio we call it "Frontier Lemonade" because no one likes to hear "FLEM" (phlegm, get it?) on the radio. It's okay to work at, but you run out quickly and people often confuse Strawberry Lemonade for Pink Lemonade and come back and complain that it tastes like Strawberries. I've opened and closed this stand several times. Closing's better, as no one really wants frozen lemonade at night.

4. Ice Cream 8: Thunder Ice Cream - strangely, this is located by the Splash Mountain Entrance, but because Splash Ice Cream used to be Splash Popcorn back in the day, this was called Thunder. Then when they decided to dump the popcorn (and move it to Popcorn 9), they called it Splash Ice Cream and didn't bother switching the two around. So remember, Thunder Ice Cream is closer to Splash Mountain, while Splash Ice Cream is closer to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This was one of my favorite stands, because it was nothing but ice cream, it opened later than everything else in the bottleneck, and closed first in the bottleneck. Also, its placement makes people forget that it's there (they notice Splash Ice Cream first), so it's hardly busy, but when it is busy, it's only for a little while.

Escapay

[Wonderlicious]

The ride itself has an iconic look:

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/ ... 05/020.jpg" width=400 height=267>
(From my private collection) </center>

It sure is iconic, especially in Freudian terms. No wonder it's in the private collection! j/k

Anyway, I have to admit that I find this ride a bit overrated. It's okay, but considering that it's Disneyland Paris' most popular ride, I don't understand all the hype. I would definetely ride it again if I went to a Disney park, yet I'd rather go on various other rides, frankly.

[Loomis]

It sure is iconic, especially in Freudian terms. No wonder it's in the private collection! j/k

Do you think the Imagineers were undergoing classic overcompensation?

[The Little Merman]

It sure is iconic, especially in Freudian terms. No wonder it's in the private collection! j/k

Do you think the Imagineers were undergoing classic overcompensation?

Oh, you two!

*tlm

[crunkcourt]

Big Thunder Mountain is one of the best rides at Disney. I rode it for the first time the last time I was in WDW and I had a great time. I have always been so afraid of roller coasters, but I forced myself to ride it, and am thankful I did. I you get a chance definately ride this one at night as it is one of the prettiest sites you when it is lit up.

[Disney-Fan]

Anyway, I have to admit that I find this ride a bit overrated. It's okay, but considering that it's Disneyland Paris' most popular ride, I don't understand all the hype

Have you been to Disneyland Paris? I'm guessing you haven't, since who ever has been (including me), and has been on Big Thunder have experienced it at least a few times! Their version of Big Thunder knocks the socks out of the other ones. Especially with that great opening part!

[Fidget1234]

It sure is iconic, especially in Freudian terms. No wonder it's in the private collection! j/k

Do you think the Imagineers were undergoing classic overcompensation?

LOL>....they very well coulda been! haha. Nice find/comment.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Anyway, I have to admit that I find this ride a bit overrated. It's okay, but considering that it's Disneyland Paris' most popular ride, I don't understand all the hype

Have you been to Disneyland Paris? I'm guessing you haven't, since who ever has been (including me), and has been on Big Thunder have experienced it at least a few times! Their version of Big Thunder knocks the socks out of the other ones. Especially with that great opening part!

Wonderlicious wrote that, not me.

I'm guessing you just got confused since we've been aruging and disagreeing recently!

Well, I haven't been to Disneyland Paris, but I can say that I agree with you completely!

[I am the Doctor]

One of the tamer coasters at Disneyland, I still like Big Thunder because the line is usually fairly short (in comparison to Space and Splash Mountains). The Disneyland version could do with some sprucing up, at least in regards to the animatronics and special effects as they look a little dated. Don't know enough about the WDW version, although I rode it once in 1997.

P.S.

And for those in the know, the Big Thunder Trail behind the ride is a quick way to cross the park from Frontierland to Fantasyland because so few know about it.

[Tony]

Big Thunder was not operating for most of my vacation to Disneyland in November, but I did get to ride it once.

I like Big Thunder, but just wish I could go back in time to ride the 'Rainbow Caverns Mine train" that Big Thunder replaced. At least the Rainbow Caverns portion is mostly intact in Big Thunder, but I am sad about missing the remainder of the ride through Natures Wonderland.

I see the last remaining mine car sitting 'abandoned' opposite Tom Sawyer island and dream about going on the entire old attraction. I guess I will have to buy that extinct attractions DVD !

My 5 year old Daughter did however LOVE Big Thunder.

[memnv]

I loved Big Thunder Railroad, we went on it at least 10 times in the 4 days we were at Disneyland, It was great during the fireworks, there was no line and you did get an awesome view of the fireworks

[CJ]

Big Thunder is my second favorite ride at WDW (Splash Mountain is my favorite). It was the very first ride I experienced at WDW, and I loved every second of it. My favorite time to ride it is after dark, but Big Thunder is fun to ride anytime.

[dizfan]

The one in Paris is definatley the best.

[Disney-Fan]

Wonderlicious wrote that, not me.

I'm guessing you just got confused since we've been aruging and disagreeing recently!

Whoops! The subconcience works in strange ways! lol

[Big Disney Fan]

Sorry it's been so long since this has been last updated, but I felt I just had to say...

I really enjoy this attraction. It's one of my two number one favorites, the other being Pirates of the Caribbean. I always try to do this attraction at least twice whenever I go to any Disney park (DL or WDW).

I like Big Thunder, but just wish I could go back in time to ride the 'Rainbow Caverns Mine train" that Big Thunder replaced. At least the Rainbow Caverns portion is mostly intact in Big Thunder, but I am sad about missing the remainder of the ride through Natures Wonderland.

Well, this ride does begin and end in the Rainbow Ridge town like the old Mine Train, although they weren't necessarily in the same places from one ride to the next.

Also, did you know that it was originally intended for WDW, but things happened that eventually led it to be open at Disneyland first instead? If you have a copy of the book "Disney Mountains" by Jason Surrell, you can read all about it for yourself.

Oh, and I've noticed that the poster area has been removed for whatever reason, so here's a replacement for it:



Now someone just needs to put it up at the top where it usually goes.