Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment Delivered a Much Smoother Ride Experience

Big Thunder Mountain Delivers Improved Ride Quality

Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom has officially returned to the frontier, and while the “wildest ride in the wilderness” still packs a punch, its recent reopening introduces a whole new level of magic to the tracks. You folks oughta keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the train, because the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is running better than ever and waiting for your next adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned prospector or a first-time rider, you can expect a significantly refreshed experience the next time you board your mine car in search of gold.

The mountain attractions at Disney Parks around the globe are iconic for a reason – they are beloved by fans old and new for the stories they tell, the thrills they give, and the memories they make.

You’ll notice that the rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain is in tip-top shape following a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment, which will keep this classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.

A key part of the refurbishment was installing a new track and refreshed passenger trains. These updates were carefully planned to preserve the attraction’s classic storytelling and trademark hootin’ an’ hollerin’ energy, while adding new life, movement, and detail to the experience guests know so well.

With all the improvements made to the attraction, along with a comprehensive review from our safety teams, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38”. Climb aboard, lil prospectors!

In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain has new magic for fans to discover.

One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).

The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome.

The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.

However, them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down.

No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.

Have you had a chance to experience the updated ride?

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