Tracks

Length2671 ft
Speed28 mph
Inversions0
ElementsChain Lift Hill
Chain Lift Hill
Chain Lift Hill

Trains

Arrangement5 trains with 5 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train.

Details

Former statusSBNO from to
Operated from to
Capacity2400 riders per hour
Designer

History

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was initally a project for Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom but was pushed back in favor of the park's installation of Pirates of the Carribean. The project later was repurposed for Disneyland in Anaheim, California where it had to be mirrored to fit in the foreseen lot. Disney decided at that point to build two Big Thunder Mountain Railroads partly simultaneously: the one at Disneyland and the one at Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom. The California version opened on September 2nd 1979, whereas the one in Orlando opened November 15th 1980.

Notes

During most of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed for a major overhaul. During this time a majority of the track and the trains were replaced. The new track was manufactured by Dynamic Attractions. The layout of the ride is not believed to have changed.

Theme

The rockwork of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is inspired by Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The other installations of Big Thunder Mountain (Railroad) in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris are inspired by Monument Valley in Arizona.

Maps

Aerial Imagery

Videos

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