Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

"Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an absolute classic, but the recent upgrades have made it even better! The new dynamite effect is a fantastic addition, and the bleating goat at the first drop is a hilarious, nostalgic touch that I'll never get tired of. As a huge fan of both trains and roller coasters, this ride is a perfect combination. It's a thrilling, family-friendly adventure with just the right amount of excitement. A must-do for anyone visiting the park!"

Fun and exciting ride—great for all ages! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was a really fun ride! The train-themed coaster has just the right mix of speed, turns, and scenery to keep it exciting without being too intense. It’s a great choice for both kids and adults, and we had a blast riding it. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a classic Disneyland thrill ride!

Such an amazing ride that you can go over and over again. Big Thunder Mountain is another one of my favorite ride at Disneyland. The standby lines can take long but on a good day like when I went, there was like only a 5 minute wait. It's so much fun and of course you should try to take pictures during the ride since this is like a Rollercoaster. I also took off my hat since I wasn't want to take the risk of losing my Project Rock hat.. The staff are friendly and it will feel like only a second once the ride is over. We were able to go twice since the day we went before Halloween Fest became live didn't have a lot of people at the theme park.

This is a great ride in Disneyland! The setting of the ride is done really well so you really feel like you're on a rail cart in the Old West. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and the line passes right next to the ride so you can watch other people enjoying themselves while you wait. This is one of my family's go-to rides in the park; great for the whole family!

This one was a surprise this trip. I’ve gone on it before but it was moth, fast, and had some great drops. The Lightning Lane pass was very helpful on this one as well went straight to the front. Great ride and a great time.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the only wooden coaster I can remember riding during my entire Disneyland, CA adventure trip. Built on the site of the original mine train scenic ride that used to be here, they have incorporated a lot of the scenes into the rooten tooten high speed coaster ride to hit the wild west. This was another ride I had lightning laned but they were closed when my arrival time took place. Fortunately a couple of hours later I was able to return and ride it. Your train car is led by an engine. You race throw the old west town but it isn't as fast as to be that aggressive. Although I couldn't see much without my glasses it was still a lot of fun The ride is patterned after real life formations in Bryce canyon national park in Utah. It is based off of an old mining town that had suffered a curse. Hence the "trains" operated without the benefit of the engineer. It is truly a fun and enjoyable ride.

Big Thunder seems underrated, or it’s not high on people’s must ride list when the topic of Disneyland comes up, but it’s fantastic! The queue always moved fairly quickly, the ride itself is a decent length, and gives such a thrill while operating smoothly. This is a can’t miss attraction, and probably ok for all ages. I didn’t see anyone come off without a grin from ear to ear. *Motion sickness prone people should have no issue here!

Every time we head to the park my son has to make sure we ride Indy at least once. He absolutely loves this ride. It is fun but unfortunately I think some times the ride is so busy it tends to break down at some point every time we are there. The line is always fairly long but the que is neat and very visually appealing so plenty to look at and pass the time while in line. Even on warm days it always seems a bit cooler in the area since it is a shaded area of the park. Indiana Jones is definitely considered an e-ticket ride, it is fast and fun but fairly smooth.

When it works (and that's the key phrase), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is Walt Disney's answer to thrill rides. Sure, he never lived to see it open in 1979, but this runaway mine train is very much in the spirit of Walt's vision: themed storytelling disguised as a roller coaster. It's the wildest ride in the wilderness -- literally. Designed by Imagineer Tony Baxter, Big Thunder replaced the aging Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, which was more "look at animatronic coyotes" than "hold onto your hat." Disneyland wanted something faster, wilder, and more thrilling to compete with Six Flags. The result: a high-speed coaster through red rock canyons modeled after Utah's Bryce Canyon, with Disney detail packed into every corner -- from exploding dynamite to ghost towns frozen in time. You board a rickety mine train that looks like it shouldn't pass inspection, and before you know it, you're tearing through caves, past howling coyotes, and up and down jagged canyons. The curves whip you around, the drops give you just enough stomach flip to make Grandma scream, and the finale with dynamite blasting is peak Disney storytelling. When it's running, it's one of the best thrill rides in the park. When it's down for "technical difficulties"? You're just standing there wishing you were on Space Mountain instead. Proof that Disneyland can make even whiplash charming. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad isn't the scariest or the tallest, but it's Disneyland's purest thrill ride -- story, speed, and nostalgia all jammed into a runaway train. When it's working, it's perfect. When it's down, it's heartbreak with a "Please come back later" sign. It's not the fastest coaster in California, but it's the only one with goats, dynamite, and Disney magic.

This ride is so fun! I think I may have enjoyed it more than Matterhorn Bobsleds, mostly because this ride is much smoother and not as bumpy! It's about a 3 min ride with a decent amount of turns & little drops, pretty fast too! Looks like they are closed until further notice unfortunately since 9/2/25, for refurbishment and the date of reopening hasn't been announced. We were lucky enough to have the chance to go on this ride the last week of August!

GETTING HERE: Located at Disneyland in Frontierland. Look for the big mountain and you'll be set. :) REVIEW: Such at iconic attraction at the park, a must-do for every trip. The lines are always hit and miss (cough, RIP Fast Pass) but if you don't have the Lightning Lane thing now, I would try to rope-drop BTM if at all possible. But, if you've got the time to wait, be sure to do so. Also, my suggestion is to check it out at night as the view is spectacular. The line winds around a bit, but once you arrive, get ready to board the mine train! Special note: The attraction (mountains, etc.) was inspired by the mountains in Bryce Canyon, Utah! It's quick. It's short. It's wild. It's fun. It's fast. It's awesome!

The best damn ride in the wilderness Hooray! This is my favorite ride in Disneyland, and we finally got my son to try it, and he loved it! The first time. The second, not so much. I guess seating matters, which is known to all Disney fans, but yes, your seating does influence your experience. In some seats you feel the ride more, while in others, not so much. On the second time my son went in, he got a seating where he felt the drops more, and that was a no for him. Now I can't get him back on. Darn it lol. It's okay; I will keep trying and convince him somehow to get back. Wish me luck. This ride is amazing!

Classic ride....haven't gotten on this ride in ages. Now that I'm older it isn't as scary as I once thought when I was a young g child. Simple....classic roller coaster if you want to call it going through canyon.....fun fun!

This is literally the best ride at disneyland and is 100% worth the wait. We rode it 3 times lol.

Still a great ride! Just a fast ride with some dips and slight turns. Nothing too crazy. Love the Western theme with all the details, the mining atmosphere, the sound effects and ambience.

It's a beautiful thing. I love coasters while my wife does not. This hits every box on her upper limit. My goals go a little higher. This is a really smooth and exhilarating ride. Great ambiance and a cool line that makes things go quickly. A must stop while I n the park.

This was a super fun ride. At first you might judge it because it is "wooden" and looks old. But let me tell you it was my top 3 favorite roller coaster rides!! I went with all my cousins (a party of 9 people). And this coaster was not a kiddie one - it definitely had some moments that took my breath away! Definitely would ride this multiple times in one day!!

Got to go fast with this ride. This ride is quick and easy. So much fun. No loops no quick stops just nice and easy. The ride will be down for starting the beginning of September. Luckily we had the opportunity to get one last chance.

Thunder mountain is awesome, I love the urethane wheels that makes the ride nice and smooth. This is my favorite Rollercoaster ride at Disneyland. This ride is so much fun .

Holy Moly the line we were in gave us a ride full of thrills- more dips than I ever remember! Fun to raise both hands in the end and dive fast into valley dips then swerve to one side. Hubs totally smashed me. I have to remember to let him get in the train car next time. Lots of screams and laughter!!! Let's go again.

Very fun ride! This is a fun rollercoaster and has wonderful theming. I liked finding all of the dynamite, gears and etc on the tracks. I heard from my tour guide that there is a scale model in the Disneyland hotel that even has the hidden Mickey in it! Disney thinks of every detail.

What's not to love about Big Thunder Railroad! It's fast, lots of twists and turns, and it really still holds its own given its age! A fam fave for sure, and a must if you enjoy coaster rides! :)

I love this ride. On my last visit to Disneyland, I'm pretty sure I rode this ride 5 times. If you take the lightning lane or just the regular line, your wait is not very long. Once you make your way through the line, to the elevated wooden structure you are moments away from one of the best thrill rides at Disneyland. Once you make it up the stairs of the wooden structure, try and get the back seats of the train. It's a better thrill, you get whipped and tossed around more than any other seat on the ride. I love all the quick dips and fast turns that I can't get enough and I keep going back to this ride. Gotta love the goat eating the dynamite, totally my favorite.

Hang onto your Hats! Back in the old days of being a teenager and going to Disneyland, my buddies and I always made sure we hit the Big Three - Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This was the days before Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure and some of the newer thrill rides. In my youth, I was a big fan of trains and have always loved going on Thunder Mountain. I still remember that one time we were at Disneyland on a slow night and rode this ride like 5 times in a row because the wait was less than 5 minutes. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in the early 1980's inside of Disneyland's Frontierland. The ride is a wild train ride through an old mine in the mountains. The mountain itself has some resemblance to the hoodoos that you see at Bryce Canyon National Park. There are all sorts of dips and turns as you are being pulled by the locomotive through the dark caverns. As you ride through the mountain, you will spot a few animals along the way. It is a fast bumpy ride and always a good time. The little town that you pass by at the end of the ride was once an old miniature train attraction that was around during Disneyland's earlier days. The ride eventually closed to make room for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Such a fun ride! This is one of the most popular rides. Day or night there is always a huge line. This rude is included in the Lighting Lane and this is one you need to book early or you will get a late return time. The line is all outside so if its a hot sunny day it may seem even longer and you may get a tan. Once you are on you forget all that you have waited and you just have a super fun time. The ride has no loops or anything but still goes super fast, or at least feels like it. One thing I have noticed and I don't know if its just my mind playing tricks on me but at night it seems like the ride goes faster. It may just be because you cant see the tracks or anything else at night but to me its more fun at night. This is a classic Disneyland ride and personally it is not my favorite ride but its still super fun and a must ride.

What's the one thing that I knew about Big Thunder, you ask? That it can dislodge a kidney stone. Why do I know that? The internet, TikTok, tv shows, having one of my own, take your pick. What's the one thing I wished I know about Big Thunder? How much fun it was going to be. This is a quick coaster that jams in the dips and turns to keep your screaming...if that's your thing. The line to the cars is interesting and pulls you into the theme of the ride and makes you feel like you truly are on a mission here. A part of the scheme here. Then you are on the ride and zooming past dinosaur fossils, dipping down caverns and caves, and racing around bends. Screaming or giggling all along the way. The ride felt way too fast, but was totally worth it.

This ride is a must do for those seeking thrills without going overboard! I love this ride it's so much fun it goes fast the theming is cute and the line moves pretty fast. For going fairly fast it's a smooth ride and I appreciate that. The whole family will love this unless you aren't a fan of coasters it doesn't go as fast as one but is that style of ride.

Good grief what did I do??? I was pretty pumped up and scared at the same time! Ugh!!!! I will say it was epic ...especially going (or zipping) through the darkness...5

SUUUUUPER FAST RAILROAD FUN! Suitable for both younger kids and older adults, REALLY FAST. One of Disneyland's most popular rides and always busy lines, but WORTH YOUR WAIT. You get a full blow of breeze when on this ride, and this ride makes it super memorable! You're lucky if you're seated in row#1, it's like you're driving the train!

One of my favorite rides at Disneyland. Although I'm not a roller coaster fan, I truly do love this ride. The only thing I don't like are the long lines to ride it.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a mine train roller coaster. Wooden train roller coaster. Super fun for a little older kids. Can be scary for younger kids.

"This here is the wildest ride in the wilderness." Mosey on up to Big Thunder Mountain for a runaway train ride through an old west town. Thrills at every twist and turn. This is one ride young thrill seekers won't soon forget. This was once one of my favorite roller coasters. Now, I heed the health warnings and stay off the track. Instead, I wait in line and am a walkover when my kids get to the front. They thoroughly enjoy the ride. I'm glad that I can pass on an appreciation for the attraction to them. Line for Big Thunder Mountain can get long. This is a good one to head over to during parades.

I can't believe I still got scared of the monster in the mountain. Even that was nostalgic. It's good to see that some things never change. There is a fun little hack that you can do on this ride when you see the dynamite goats keep your eye on it all the way around the whole turn it'll give you the coolest, full body whiplash you've ever experienced. It's just an extra way to have more fun on this ride. #5Stars #DynamiteGoat

This is my favorite ride in Disneyland and ever. This takes you to the old west and it's fun to ride. The staff is nice and the ride is worth going on.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the only wooden coaster I can remember riding during my entire Disneyland, CA adventure trip. Built on the site of the original mine train scenic ride that used to be here, they have incorporated a lot of the scenes into the rooten tooten high speed coaster ride to hit the wild west. This was another ride I had lightning laned but they were closed when my arrival time took place. Fortunately a couple of hours later I was able to return and ride it. Your train car is led by an engine. You race throw the old west town but it isn't as fast as to be that aggressive. Although I couldn't see much without my glasses it was still a lot of fun The ride is patterned after real life formations in Bryce canyon national park in Utah. It is based off of an old mining town that had suffered a curse. Hence the "trains" operated without the benefit of the engineer. It is truly a fun and enjoyable ride. The Magic Kingdom counterpart: Equal-For some reason when I ride Big Thunder in the Magic Kingdom is seems faster and I do remember two chain accent lifts. That ride is patterned after the rock formations in Monument Valley, Utah as well as rising buttes in AZ. The Disneyland version features an outdoor station while the Magic Kingdom has an indoor station. Still both versions are equally trilling and enjoyable. I'm a big fan of wooden coasters so this is definitely one of my favorite coaster rides. Located in Frontierland by the Rivers of America in Disneyland.

Originally opened September 2, 1979 this is still one of the thrill rides that brings screams and smiles to so many. Hold on to your hats and glasses cause this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Big Thunder Mountain is an enjoyable attraction requiring a height of at least 40 inches. This thrilling ride is both fast and loud, reaching speeds of 35 mph and lasting approximately 3 minutes.

This ride was fun for the entire family. It's fast, but not scary for the little ones. The wait is also visually pleasing. Makes the wait go by quicker.

Very fun and reliable ride. Not worth super long wait in my opinion but still enjoy it.

This ride will always have a special place in my heart having been the first rollercoaster I ever rode as a child. My mother lied to me and told we weren't in line for a roller coaster, and as much as I hated her in the moment for it, it's also how my love affair with rollercoasters began! This one doesn't have any loops, and just has a lap bar - it's a fun for kids and adults, and has that Disney storytelling magic present on all other Disney rides, from the scenic landscape of the ride, the cannon sounds, and even the heat they pump in when the cannon blasts! Lightening lane selections for this one don't typically disappear as quickly as they do for other rides - maybe because the wait isn't necessarily on the longer side. You can easily find a good time to go, when it's dwindled down to a 20, or 30 minute wait - the max wait I'd tolerate is 45 minutes. Or, you can make this one of your later Lightning lane selections if you've purchased a genie+ pass. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is Big Thunder fun! Check it out!

BTMR is still a thrilling ride. The queue is one of the better ones as you're outside, hear the noises and smell the grease and oil. It really prepares you for the ride. This was my first time on BTMR and I loved it. It is truly a wild ride and a lot of funny. TIP: There's a spot on the walkway where you can take pics of the BTMR bending and then going up an incline. I took several pics there and the shots were really cool. I highly recommend BTMR for a great coaster ride.

Date of most recent visit: April 23, 2022 "Get ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness!" The prerecorded announcement at the start of Big Thunder Mountain Rairoad sure got that right... The backstory of the ride is that after gold was found on Big Thunder Mountain, the mining town of Rainbow Ridge had been built - but, seeing how the land was a sacred spot to the Native Americans, it as such was cursed (as sacred lands to Native Americans tend to be in pop culture). After an earthquake hit the town and mountain, they were abandoned; however, the locomotives that serviced Rainbow Ridge were racing around the mountain without any operators. So, some enterprising entrepreneurs set up the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to let wanderers take rides on the possessed trains. Out of the four mountains at Disneyland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is my favorite; it feels faster than the Matterhorn and Space Mountain (while the wait times aren't as long as the latter two), and the outdoor setting is very picturesque. There's little nods to the original Mine Cart Through Nature's Wonderland location, such as the town of Rainbow Ridge, the Rainbow Caverns, and the animal animatronics from the original attraction. Speaking of... as the train slows down and goes uphill, keep your eyes on the goat holding a stick of dynamite. When the train speeds up as it goes downhill, the ride will feel even more faster! In fact, as our ride was coming to an end, I yelled out, "AGAIN!!!" - only to have the guest in front of me go, "Nuh-uh, I ain't doing this again, I left my stomach back at the station!" DEFINITELY one of the must-rides at the Disneyland Resort... and even if you don't ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there's quite a few photo ops to take advantage of outside!

Since I was a kid in the 90s, this has been one of my all time favorite rides! Through the years, it has always entertained me and have enjoyed the "goat trick" more recently. If you aren't familiar, when you incline the long stretch you will see a goat at the top with a stick of dynamite in his month. You will want to keep staring at the goat all through the turn as it will make the ride more intense as you aren't watching where the train is headed. Once you don't see the goat, the fun begins and makes the ride that much more thrilling! Get ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness!

I can't remember if we rode this our first visit in 2018... I definitely do remember riding it in Tokyo Disneyland though. It was one of the longest queues we waited in. Knowing the line gets long and how fun this ride is, we decided to use our lightning lane pass. As much as it was worth using the LL for, I'd still wait in a 60-90 min queue if I had to. Old wild west train theme. No drops or loops but still a fun and exciting ride!

5 stars then, now, and forever! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad takes the cake as far as thrill rides go at Disneyland! Day or night, it is ALWAYS a blast! Even when the line is long, it moves fast. The thrill is during the entire ride. A long coaster. A wooden roller coaster feel. A complete experience if you're looking for joy, happiness and that classic Disney feeling! This ride has NEVER broken down and I've been riding for decades! I am so happy to still get excited for something when I've done it so many times. Big Thunder Mountain rocks!!!!! It is the wildest ride in the wildnernassssssss!

This will always be my top favorite ride at this park. It used to be Space Mountain but it has since been a little too much for me as I get older, unfortunately. The motion sickness just gets me on this ride but not on Big Thunder Mountain! Love the view and feel of this ride. The nice, open air is so refreshing. Lately the queue hasn't been as bad either! Only about 45-50 min last time we visited. It's a roller coaster, not super fast, but a good speed for any age. Always looking forward to hopping on this ride at least once per visit. IG: @ammysalamii

This ride never gets old. Sure for the roller coaster afficiando, this ride is minuscule. But for someone that wants a basic roller coaster thrill without flipping upside down, this is for you. I rode this to help me get my sea legs to ride the Incredi- Coaster. The height minimum is 40 inches. The ride is in Frontierland Disneyland. The backstory is that the ride is set in an abandoned gold mining camp in the 1850s. Empty trains mysteriously run by themselves in the cavern. Ohhh... spooky ( not at all). Hang on, the coaster has some fast paced turns and dips that run in and out of the mountain. The ride even goes under a waterfall that you may feel a few sprinkles of water. You may want to close your mouth at that point. Trust me. Disney fun fact: The old ghost town buildings near the end of the ride is the same ones from the original Frontierland of the 1950s. Fun story: A father took his young daughter on the ride, it was her first time. They sat behind me. Ohh it was so sweet that her initial apprehension turned to pure delight. Once the ride started, she was squealing with happy laughs. At the end, she asked her dad if they could ride it again. Awww. He was so proud of her. It's all about the moments that make a memory.

I love this ride here and at Disney World. I'm sure there's some differences for those who pay attention, but I don't know the ride well enough to spot them. Either way, it was an awesome ride and I really enjoyed myself.

This is a fantastic ride and perfect for little kids for their first 'big kid' ride. My kid BARELY made the 40" height minimum, and he had great time. I definitely had to hold on to him since he is still less than 40 pounds and I was mildly afraid he'd fly out of the car, but still such a fun experience. We used the lightning lane pass to bypass the line since waiting in line with 2 young kids is basically torture, but standby was about 45ish minutes. Depending on the time of year, it could be shorter or much longer. I'd definitely suggest hitting up this ride when a parade is going on. That usually decreases wait time by quite a bit.

This is such a fun ride. The theme is so cool especially when you're going through the dynamite room and the explosions and smoke start filling up before sending you through the mountains to finish the coaster. You get to see little animatronics of goats, snakes, possums, and more! Just. Yeah. Cool times.

F-U-N FUN!!!!! This ride is a must when you go to Disneyland. They have made some cool visual updates compared to what I remember in my childhood.

Classic ride to go on and one of the few roller coasters in the park; it never disappoints. I highly suggest scheduling a lightening lane to avoid the long lanes!

Disneyland is where I want to be for my birthday. In my fantasy world! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is another of my favorite rides. I love trains anyway so it's fun to go back on this ride over and over. It's only a little scary when you're in the dark. I like the feeling of the old West because I was raised watching Westerns on TV. It's fun to Shoot under a pouring waterfall and dodge a falling boulder from an unexpected landslide. Then you also swoop around sharp turns and drop into desolate canyons. Maybe it's just my generation, but I love this Old West ride!

Wildest ride in the wilderness! One of my favorite rides at Disneyland Park! This is a medium thrill roller coaster that swings you around a Western themed mining town. So fun! This ride has been a favorite for many years! I remember riding since I was young. It's a very smooth gliding coaster so no jerks or bumps on the way, but you may side your butt on the bench style seating! Love the big turns around the mountain and seeing all the people ahead of you in the train & the night view of the park, especially Galaxy's Edge. My fave of the mountains! The last time we were on the ride, it was walk on, no line! Woohoo! That doesn't happen often, and always a great feeling! The roller coaster is located inside Disneyland Park so a ticket (& reservation) would be needed. The new Lightning Lane on Genie+ is available for this ride. Definitely worth the wait for this ride!

My favorite time to ride Big Thunder is either 1st thing in the morning or later in the evening. Not only is it just fun riding while there is a bit of fog and mist in the air but it just always feels like the train goes faster. Remember when going up the incline look at the goat at the top of the hill as you pass and begin down the hill. One, it is said that he is the "lucky goat" but two, I think he distracts you making you not realize you are starting down the hill and it feels like you are going faster. There are two sides of the track so the line moves quickly. Another E-Ticket ride that is super fun and well worth the wait in line if you like a coaster type ride.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Rules!!! Located in Frontierland, you can't miss that big ole brown mountain, lol! At night, the mountain lights up red. The wait time can be anywhere to 40 mins to 1 hour (or more), depending on when you get here. Luckily, I was able to meet up with Yelper Alana M., and we were able to skip the long lines, woohoo, thanks again, Alana! I love this rollercoaster! Rode it when I was a kid, during my teenage and young adult years, and now as an adult. This is a fast-moving rollercoaster with (easy and wide) twists and turns. There are no giant flips or drops and so, if you want to get your adrenaline pumped and warmed up, start with this rollercoaster. Wherever you sit on the train, there's really no bad seat in the house. Also, don't forget to raise up your arms and howl into the sky whenever you're going through the twists and turns, heheh! A classic rollercoaster that never gets old! Disney, please continue keeping this rollercoaster on for many, many generations to experience and enjoy!

This ride has gone through various updates through the decades but the concept remains the same. You board a train and it takes you through a mountain range while dodging dangerous snakes and dynamite.