Big Thunder Mountain Railroad


Description from PassPorter's Walt Disney World Guidebook:

Be prepared to grin as you ride this not-so-scary roller coaster through a wild western landscape. There is plenty of speed and lots of curves, but no fearsome drops on this 4-min. mine train ride. You’ll shake and rattle, though! Look around and enjoy Disney’s lovingly built scenes. Night rides are extra fun! Lines can be long, but there is a new, interactive queue in which you get to help the miners. 40”/102 cm height restriction, adult supervision required. Transfer from wheelchair. Health warning. Allie’s KidTip: “Listen for the howls of the wolves. I loved this ride! Can we go again?”

Get a full copy of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook here.

Type: Coaster
Scope: E-Ticket
Ages: Ages 6 & up
Thrill Factor: Fast turns, dark caves

Coaster Duration: 4 min.
FastPass: Yes
Queue Conditions: Covered, interactive queue

Bonus: This attraction is open during Evening Extra Magic Hours
Special Considerations:
- Rider Swap Available
- Must transfer from ECV
- Must transfer from wheelchair
- Seating type: low bar


Also Known As: Big Thunder Mountain
KidTip: Listen for the howls of the wolves. I loved this ride! Can we go again?

PassPorter's Ratings for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Author Jennifer Marx's Rating:
7/10
Author Dave Marx's Rating:
8/10

Readers Rating: (rated by 502 PassPorter readers)
8.5/10

Appeal by Age:
84.6%
84.56% of our readers would definitely visit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad again.

I would definitely visit this attraction again!
Comments On Your Rating:

 
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What PassPorter Readers Think of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (112 comments):

This ride is like a stronger version of the Barnstormer, with plenty of twists, turns, and stomach lurching drops . Great ride absolutely love it !!
MinnieMousePixieDust gave this a rating of 10 on 08/10/2016 at 2:12:13 pm EDT

This ride is so much fun. Try riding it during the day as well as at night. It's like two different experiences.
num1DVCfan gave this a rating of 10 on 06/30/2016 at 8:35:07 pm EDT

We love this ride. Especially at night. I like it better than the Disneyland version. It is longer, smoother, and more exciting.
DisneyKimber gave this a rating of 10 on 06/30/2016 at 5:48:29 pm EDT

It is especially fun at night when the fireworks are going off!
Horace Horsecollar gave this a rating of 10 on 06/30/2016 at 11:49:20 am EDT

This is my husband's rating because I don't ride coasters (my fear of drops): Fun thrill ride, generally very smooth, great theming.
Pawleys4 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/27/2016 at 9:06:12 pm EDT

A great, smooth roller coaster that is a good one for younger riders to get used to fast rides.
RandyF1979 gave this a rating of 8 on 06/26/2016 at 8:03:30 pm EDT

I LOVE this ride. We always FP this ride. Put the light weight person on the left side.
Dopeyhornet gave this a rating of 10 on 06/26/2016 at 3:14:46 pm EDT

My whole family loves this ride!
Dani S gave this a rating of 9 on 06/26/2016 at 9:53:56 am EDT

All of our family love this!
aldj gave this a rating of 10 on 06/26/2016 at 1:48:06 am EDT

Honestly, this is better than Seven Dwarfs.
utscrapbooker gave this a rating of 10 on 06/26/2016 at 1:48:01 am EDT

Love this ride at night.
donnasmac gave this a rating of 9 on 06/24/2016 at 9:17:39 pm EDT

It's a fun thrill ride!
TomiRocket gave this a rating of 8 on 06/24/2016 at 11:46:28 am EDT

My whole family loves this ride, especially at night! It is a bit jerky, so I can't ride it more than twice in a row, but I love it anyway.
E(ticket)lizabeth gave this a rating of 8 on 06/23/2016 at 2:10:29 pm EDT

I do enjoy the ride but it is a little jerky and i usually get off with a headache, so i always have some advil on hand when i anticipate riding this ride
2babiesandthemouse gave this a rating of 7 on 06/20/2016 at 10:40:19 am EDT

This was both of my kids' first adult roller coaster. Scary enough to make it interesting, but tame enough for a 6 year old
MissyMouse70 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/18/2016 at 9:32:32 pm EDT

I love to read the signs while waiting in line! Fun ride, and great scenery!
JKDenn gave this a rating of 9 on 06/17/2016 at 3:16:24 pm EDT

So much fun and the right amount of thrills for the grandkids, my 5 year old granddaughter and my favorite ride, ever.
Papa Jim gave this a rating of 10 on 06/17/2016 at 2:36:27 pm EDT

Lots of visual entertainment here as well as the ride itself. A bit rough for anyone pregnant or with back issues.
Missi gave this a rating of 8 on 06/17/2016 at 12:41:39 pm EDT

This was my DD first "thrill" ride and is a family favorite.
rubyblue gave this a rating of 9 on 06/17/2016 at 12:30:22 pm EDT

We LOVE this ride and would rate it higher, but it would be better with hollowed out individual seats like other rides to prevent being thrown into each other and sliding across the benches.
chelynnah gave this a rating of 8 on 06/17/2016 at 12:18:46 pm EDT

Loved it
eddiejackson gave this a rating of 9 on 06/17/2016 at 11:33:18 am EDT

Nice, easy going ride. Good visuals.

Cannibalking525 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/17/2016 at 9:43:08 am EDT

It's a little more thrilling with all of the sudden twists, turns and drops than you expect. My daughter called it the "wham, wham ride".
BrerRalston1 gave this a rating of 7 on 06/17/2016 at 9:42:18 am EDT

This ride is much funner at night when you can't anticipate the curves and drops.
fletch1965 gave this a rating of 7 on 06/17/2016 at 8:34:46 am EDT

Super fun, easy roller coaster! Even the younger kids can enjoy this ride because there are no large drops.
Fergies6 gave this a rating of 8 on 06/17/2016 at 7:52:17 am EDT

We love this ride, it's a must-do for us
KateLovesDisney gave this a rating of 8 on 06/16/2016 at 11:09:35 pm EDT

Wonderful ride! Even better at night!
Emma_612 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/16/2016 at 11:02:29 pm EDT

This is fun to ride at night. Especially during the fireworks.
scrapmom gave this a rating of 8 on 06/16/2016 at 10:48:01 pm EDT

Great ride for after dark.
tinae159 gave this a rating of 7 on 06/15/2016 at 1:28:27 am EDT

Fun for the whole family. More fun at night !
Dopey Girl gave this a rating of 8 on 06/14/2016 at 9:28:50 pm EDT

Ride is great, just really shaky and can cause whiplash from the sudden stop.
WrapwithSyd22 gave this a rating of 8 on 06/14/2016 at 3:25:05 pm EDT

I love the theming. The ride is just long enough and has enough thrills.
disneydreamer33 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/14/2016 at 12:51:00 pm EDT

The theming can't be beat and its the perfect family-friendly coaster!
EvaKi gave this a rating of 9 on 06/14/2016 at 9:40:37 am EDT

Just the perfect amount of thrill!
NoleChick gave this a rating of 10 on 06/14/2016 at 7:09:11 am EDT

Lots of fun
Disneymom7702 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/14/2016 at 3:29:06 am EDT

Fun for all. I coaster ride the whole family can enjoy
scott disney dad gave this a rating of 9 on 06/13/2016 at 8:26:29 pm EDT

Our whole family loves this ride !
aswaffer gave this a rating of 9 on 06/13/2016 at 8:16:56 pm EDT

One of our favorite rides! Make sure to ride it again once the sun goes down! The lines aren't nearly as long as it feels like a different ride!
MPoppins77 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/13/2016 at 6:31:23 pm EDT

Great ride - wish we would have gone on it more than once during our trip!
rebeccamcarroll gave this a rating of 8 on 06/13/2016 at 2:32:28 pm EDT

this is like a big roller coaster so be prepared.
handette gave this a rating of 8 on 06/13/2016 at 2:14:01 pm EDT

So much more fun at night in the dark,
BWKsMom gave this a rating of 8 on 06/12/2016 at 5:36:12 pm EDT

Love this ride. A little bumpy - lots of fun!
Libby X 3 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/12/2016 at 3:15:29 pm EDT

Love it more than Mine Train!
jodistrock gave this a rating of 8 on 06/12/2016 at 9:37:37 am EDT

I love this ride! If you like to get the full feel of the "wildest ride in the wilderness" ask to be seated close to the back, its a whole different world! Younger children and elderly adults would probably like the front of the train to have a calmer experience
Cbinks2 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/11/2016 at 10:04:51 pm EDT

Fun and fast but rough.
dutchdisneyfamily gave this a rating of 6 on 06/11/2016 at 9:57:43 pm EDT

Fast ride, very jerky.
nvrtoooldforthemouse gave this a rating of 8 on 06/11/2016 at 1:47:20 pm EDT

One of my favorites!
kcapener gave this a rating of 9 on 06/10/2016 at 5:54:32 pm EDT

Lot of thrills, a fast ride, you get jerked around a lot, but is a good long ride.
SuperDave gave this a rating of 10 on 06/10/2016 at 2:34:10 pm EDT

I try to ride it more than once each Magic Kingdom day of our trip.
Sandy Mouse gave this a rating of 8 on 06/10/2016 at 1:18:30 pm EDT

Love it - a must do.
justmitype gave this a rating of 10 on 06/10/2016 at 12:22:42 pm EDT

Quick fun ride but it is jerky and riders tend to move in seat.
Snooky gave this a rating of 9 on 06/10/2016 at 12:19:15 pm EDT

Great ride. So much fun.
tigger442 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/10/2016 at 9:56:16 am EDT

Causes me motion sickness. It was a smoother ride before they refurbished it -- now it is quite herky jerky!
Susan Fadel gave this a rating of 5 on 06/10/2016 at 9:00:52 am EDT

Love this ride--and I'm not a 'coaster person'.
ntaylor28 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/10/2016 at 8:34:03 am EDT

Our whole family loves it!
sallyporsche gave this a rating of 8 on 06/10/2016 at 8:31:52 am EDT

A great coaster. Great theme.
Big G gave this a rating of 9 on 06/07/2016 at 9:51:25 pm EDT

One of our favorites!!!!
Ahbee gave this a rating of 10 on 06/07/2016 at 5:40:20 pm EDT

The back car is the most fun!
charlyn gave this a rating of 8 on 06/07/2016 at 11:25:50 am EDT

I went on this for the first time last year, as am timid to go on roller coasters but this was amazing! The themeing is also incredible. Good for all ages. What took me so long?!
DisneyMom1024 gave this a rating of 10 on 06/06/2016 at 11:46:57 am EDT

Must do! A family favorite.
I live with a 'Stitch'! gave this a rating of 9 on 06/05/2016 at 10:20:15 pm EDT

Fast and fun for everyone in the family. I always loved roller coasters. This is all the thrill without the big drop.
Loridove gave this a rating of 7 on 06/05/2016 at 6:15:40 pm EDT

Great at night.
Urbss gave this a rating of 8 on 06/05/2016 at 5:51:35 pm EDT

Our daughter was afraid of roller coasters until she rode Big Thunder Mountain. Now it's one our family's favorites and a must do!!
markL gave this a rating of 9 on 06/05/2016 at 1:43:04 pm EDT

This is by far our family favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom. A fast enough coaster to be fun but not frightening.
DisneyOrBustColorado gave this a rating of 10 on 06/04/2016 at 9:12:56 am EDT

Fun, and bumpy!
oddboysmum gave this a rating of 8 on 06/04/2016 at 8:11:23 am EDT

Fun for the whole family which sounds corny but important!
thelivlloyds gave this a rating of 9 on 06/03/2016 at 8:13:47 pm EDT

A family favorite, even for the ones that don't normally like roller coasters.
AeroScott gave this a rating of 9 on 06/03/2016 at 3:48:10 pm EDT

A favorite!
StanH gave this a rating of 10 on 06/03/2016 at 11:06:14 am EDT

A great ride with fun things to look out for between dips and turns on this family friendly coaster.
Grooviamommy gave this a rating of 7 on 06/03/2016 at 2:52:10 am EDT

So much fun, and great at night! Nothing too outrageous as far as the scare factor.
amouse9 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/03/2016 at 1:45:07 am EDT

One of our family favorites... Not a lot of thrill rides at the Magic Kingdom, but this would rate as one... Not too much for the little ones and still fun for the older ones. Even more fun at night. Obviously, it's the 'wildest ride in the wilderness!'
AURAGS gave this a rating of 9 on 06/03/2016 at 12:42:59 am EDT

My son's favorite ride! Love the theming, music, the wolves howling. Extra special at night. A must do on all our trips.
TwinDaddy59 gave this a rating of 9 on 06/01/2016 at 9:55:28 am EDT

My daughters favorite since she was 5!
Zatrina gave this a rating of 10 on 06/01/2016 at 12:03:51 am EDT

We love this ride, especially fun to ride at night!
Pal of Pooh gave this a rating of 8 on 05/31/2016 at 11:35:32 am EDT

This is a big hit with my husband and kids, and even I can get away with it if I've take Bonine ahead of time. It's a lot of fun, with great theming.
mikeserin gave this a rating of 6 on 05/30/2016 at 6:53:50 pm EDT

This is one of my family's favorites! The whole family can ride it together. It is an original ride and a classic!
mom2three23 gave this a rating of 9 on 05/30/2016 at 3:31:20 pm EDT

Always a favorite for our family!
mbbowen gave this a rating of 8 on 05/30/2016 at 9:36:12 am EDT

Fast and fun.
mickey mema gave this a rating of 9 on 05/29/2016 at 10:44:05 pm EDT

Awesome day & night!
klam_chowder gave this a rating of 10 on 05/29/2016 at 9:05:26 pm EDT

Try timing your ride just when the fireworks go off. Spectacular!
Marie the Cat gave this a rating of 9 on 05/29/2016 at 5:17:12 pm EDT

Nice queue.
ErikaO gave this a rating of 8 on 05/29/2016 at 12:37:05 pm EDT

The fun is being with family and friends and enjoying the ride, laughter and screams together.
apple1 gave this a rating of 9 on 05/29/2016 at 9:58:03 am EDT

You might have to ride twice to see everything & to hear the wolves howl!
FARMERGIRL gave this a rating of 7 on 05/29/2016 at 9:30:16 am EDT

Great theming; never miss it, Fastpass + for sure.
Victor gave this a rating of 9 on 05/28/2016 at 8:45:11 pm EDT

Love the twists and turns
star733 gave this a rating of 8 on 05/28/2016 at 4:16:12 pm EDT

This is one of my favorite attractions in all of Disney World. I have so many memories of laughing hysterically riding with my family. The story and themeing are all done so well, it's so much fun, I love it!
goofyboysmama gave this a rating of 10 on 05/28/2016 at 3:54:42 pm EDT

The theming is wonderful and it is just enough thrill to keep teens happy with Mom and Dad still smiling.
Kansas gave this a rating of 9 on 05/28/2016 at 9:05:53 am EDT

Great theming. Lots of fun. A must do.
Smithereens40 gave this a rating of 9 on 05/27/2016 at 8:48:10 pm EDT

One of my favorites at Magic Kingdom!
KMB733 gave this a rating of 10 on 05/27/2016 at 6:45:03 pm EDT

Love it at night to see the stars and during Wishes.
kjhahn82 gave this a rating of 9 on 05/27/2016 at 5:04:35 pm EDT

Fun, fun, fun!
BriarRose4 gave this a rating of 9 on 05/27/2016 at 12:32:55 pm EDT

Love it!
txtink gave this a rating of 8 on 05/27/2016 at 12:08:56 pm EDT

Just good fun.
cutiepie gave this a rating of 8 on 05/27/2016 at 11:59:57 am EDT

A great mild thrill ride!
MayraLR gave this a rating of 8 on 05/27/2016 at 11:14:07 am EDT

I have always loved this ride. It was both of my kids' first roller coasters!
westport_chicky gave this a rating of 10 on 05/27/2016 at 10:26:39 am EDT

Used to love this ride until motion sickness took over! I miss being able to ride it
richbasm gave this a rating of 8 on 05/27/2016 at 9:50:51 am EDT

The queue is cramped and hot so be sure to get a fastpass!
LovingmickeyinNC gave this a rating of 7 on 05/27/2016 at 9:23:14 am EDT

Fun little coaster, but not too scary.
zettarooski gave this a rating of 7 on 05/27/2016 at 9:06:21 am EDT

Great ride... very jerky. Think twice if you have a bad back before riding.
CEK40 gave this a rating of 7 on 05/27/2016 at 8:41:20 am EDT

This is a great ride for people who are unsure about roller coasters. My daughter is generally frightened of roller coasters but loves Big Thunder Mountain.
christiniap gave this a rating of 9 on 05/27/2016 at 8:30:08 am EDT

My favorite coaster ride in Walt Disney World!
Babby58 gave this a rating of 10 on 05/27/2016 at 7:08:30 am EDT

Have always loved this ride but as I get older the jerkiness of the ride seems to bother me more. But you should ride it at least once
MmichelleM gave this a rating of 8 on 05/27/2016 at 6:54:15 am EDT

Such a classic ride with great theming. My tall 4 year old absolutely loves this ride, and it's also a favorite of my mom in her 60's. It spans all ages since it's a thrill ride but not too scary.
Tinkertini gave this a rating of 10 on 05/27/2016 at 12:02:18 am EDT

Great for all ages. Thrills for all. I even come out of my seat.
sherrymickey gave this a rating of 10 on 05/26/2016 at 11:42:40 pm EDT

Just ok for me-not a fav.
gardengalWDW gave this a rating of 5 on 05/26/2016 at 11:28:04 pm EDT

Needs individual restraints, the one bar for everyone does not work well.
taylan1 gave this a rating of 7 on 05/26/2016 at 11:21:33 pm EDT

If you are prone to have motion sickness, this ride may last a little too long.
Ms. Earson gave this a rating of 7 on 05/26/2016 at 11:15:25 pm EDT

One of our favourites
NZMum gave this a rating of 8 on 05/26/2016 at 11:05:35 pm EDT

Fun!
makaro gave this a rating of 8 on 05/26/2016 at 10:48:20 pm EDT

One of our favorite FastPass attractions
MiquiMom gave this a rating of 9 on 05/26/2016 at 10:47:50 pm EDT

Sometimes I forget how fun this is!
Jack's mom gave this a rating of 8 on 05/26/2016 at 8:23:39 pm EDT

My favorite attraction at the Magic Kingdom! I love riding it at night!
Luvsun gave this a rating of 10 on 05/26/2016 at 10:55:33 am EDT

Photos of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad




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