Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
4.5

Top ways to experience Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles115 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
27
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ2,028 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
Other than Rise of the Resistance, this was the ride my kids talked about most and so we went back and did it again on our second day in the park. Having had the chance to ride it during the day and at night, I agree with the comments on nighttime being better. The lighting is great and it just adds to the experience. Just like all Disneyland coasters, there is no big drop, so the focus is on changes in direction and going through scenery for the experience. Line was about 45 minutes each time we went, but I even enjoyed standing in line more at night. Also plenty of nostalgia from riding this as a kid.
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pink Trader
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Family
The moment that runaway train takes off, it's non-stop excitement. The twists, turns, and unexpected dips are a total adrenaline rush. And let's not forget the wild-west theme; it's like you're in the middle of a thrilling frontier adventure. The best part? That feeling of pure, carefree fun that you can't help but scream and laugh your way through. It's a classic Disneyland ride that never gets old, and it's a must for anyone who loves a good, heart-pounding joyride! Yeehaw!
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WillieMacfan
Healdsburg, CA892 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Thunder Mountain has been a staple of Frontier Land for many years. Essentially it is a short roller coaster ride that is enjoyable for all ages. There is a height minimum; my eight year old grandson easily met the requirements and enjoyed the ride.

It is fast and does encounter ups/downs/turns and jolts. As a senior citizen I could have done without the jolts; but to see my grandson's joy made up for any pain.

Line on a weekday was not bad.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ThoughtsFromAPage
Houston, TX131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We love this roller coaster so much. We have ridden it for years at Disney World and were happy to find it was just as fabulous at Disneyland. Ride it at night if you can - the roller coaster itself is all lit up as well as having a beautiful view of much of the park at night.
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HypnoWarrior
Porirua, New Zealand1,111 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Did this ride both during the day and the night. The night is much better as it's lit up nicely and you can't see what's up ahead as easily as during the day.

Always enjoy this ride when we go to Disneyland. Queue's are generally okay if you use the Fastpass.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vacation_Commander
Muncie, IN1,215 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
This is a classic ride/coaster that we had ridden at WDW before this. It's still fun and smooth after all these years.
This is also great for the whole family since it doesn't go upside down or do anything that might scare a little kid.
Written 4 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MauiWorldTravelers
Kahului, HI1,754 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Couples
I can’t believe how old these rides are now that I’m reviewing them. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979!

EXPERIENCE:
What makes this ride appealing is first and foremost the visual effect. Rising from the park’s well-manicured gardens is a butte, the kind you find in the American southwest desert. Add in a catchy name and you’ve got the total ride package. While far from being a thrill coaster, it’s the authentic décor and props throughout that make it fun for all ages. Steel wheels on a steel track make for the authentic train ride feel. It’s true Disney Imagineering magic!

Going up the first lift hill, you’re travel through a cave of stalactites before gently ascending through the twists and hills through mountains. Lift hill number two takes you through a mine-blasting area with similar banks and humps, nothing jarring but does provide for a few moments of weightlessness. Lastly, a cool dynamite-themed lift hill complete with sparking fuses overhead brings you to the final run, though it’s not the big bang-ending that you’d hope for as track time is short and you can unfortunately see the station coming up. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am, you’re done.

FUN FACTS:
Recordings of California’s Big Thunder Railroad trains were used as sound effects for the movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’.

A Dr. Wartinger conducted a study with some of his patients that suffered from kidney stones would pass them, 70% of the time after riding the coaster’s version at Walt Disney World depending on the row they sat in. Wow! How’s that for advice?!

TRAGEDY:
In California, 2003, a man was killed as the locomotive derailed, went airborne, hit one of the tunnel’s ceilings and landed on the first passenger car. Yikes.

OVERALL:
No big drops but probably too fast and rough for little ones and good, mild fun for everyone else.
Written 18 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George G
Oceanside, CA63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
Our 6-1/2 year old grandson was *just* too short for the Incredicoaster. Of what he COULD ride, this was his favorite. His second favorite was the coaster in Toon Town.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Phil C
Gilbert, AZ139 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Friends
One of the better rides in the park. A must ride if you are able to. Can have some wait times, be prepared.
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Devan K
64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Family
We all loved this ride during the day...but when we went on again after dark it became our favorite! It's a great entry level roller-coaster - fast enough for thrills but never outright terrifying. You can see much more of the interior sections at night. I think we went on 7 times!
Written 29 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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