Howdy partner! Welcome to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the wildest ride in the wilderness. As a part of the mountain range in the Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad towers over Frontierland alongside Splash Mountain.
- The train does take three good dips which can bring you slightly out of your seat.
- While it only reaches up to 30 mph, with the twists and turns around the 197′ butte, it’s enough to slide you around in your seat and even produce squeals of delight from all passengers aboard.
- Ride duration is about 3.5 minutes from start to finish. Each seat will comfortably fit 2 adults or one adult and two small children.
- There is a 40″ height requirement on this ride.
- Seating yourself at the rear of each train can provide you with a “wilder” ride. For a “tamer” experience, take a seat toward the front.
- Compare the wait time with Splash Mountain. Whichever attraction is longer, get a FastPass. Then enjoy the other “mountain” while you wait out your FastPass.
Big Thunder can become quite busy during peak touring times, so you may want to get a FastPass. I suggest riding in the early morning or late afternoon as the queue does become quite uncomfortable with the heat of the day. If you can time it right, riding Big Thunder Mountain during Wishes is so cool!
Quick Tip: Riding at night is a very different experience than during the day. If you can, try to ride at least once after dark. There’s something about rambling around in the mine train after dark with Cinderella Castle illuminated in the distance that creates a very different experience than its daytime counterpart.
Overall, we give this ride an “A-“.
I love this ride… My daughter is so light weight, that she almost flies out of it on the quick, jerky turns.. It’s fast and fun! For the roller coaster lover that doesn’t like high drops or going upside down, this is a good one. I love the western scenery with geysers all around it, it’s just so cool. A total must do.. The wait time is long, so I highly recommend Fast Passes or another good idea is to wait when there is a big parade going on and the line will be just a little bit shorter. Now, the perfect time to go on it is during the Extra Magic Hours that resort guests get for staying on property, hardly a wait time to discuss. You can ride it now and get off and ride it again right after with barely a wait time.
I have a photo from the first time my daughter was tall enough to ride. She was 3.5 yrs old. Her immediate review was “That was so much fun! I thought I would throw up, but I didnt. Can we go on again?” She loved it. We were seated in the middle. It looks a bit rough, but it really isnt and I think its a perfect roller coater primer for age 3 and up. Of course its still awesome for adults. Tip: Lines are always extremely short or non existent right after the last parade. While others are herding themselves to the monorail you can enjoy the mountains.