Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has officially reopened with many changes. The ride was closed for over a year while upgrades were completed. Take a look at all the changes and our full POV video here.
Big Thunder Mountain RailroadBackstory
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.
Queue
Crews worked for several months, refurbishing the queue—including the signage, rockwork, ramps that lead to the indoor portion of the queue.
Upon reopening, much of the attraction’s load/unload building has retained its original aesthetic and propping, though most surfaces and decorative elements have certainly been touched up and polished throughout.
Early on in the queue, a bright green supply wagon has been refreshed with polished detail and updated paintwork. The wagon is labeled “Clarkdale”, carrying feed and grain, mining supplies, and dry goods.
Inside the main structure, an ornate framed portrait of Barnabas T. Bullion can be seen situated on top of some rafters in the upstairs queue area.
On some of the walls along the way, various signs and other postings intended for miners of the Big Thunder Mining Co. can be seen, providing ominous warnings to guests. A posted letter to Barnabas Bullion from Jason Chandler of The Society of Explorers and Adventurers links the ride to the fan-favorite adventurer group that connects other attractions throughout the Disney Parks portfolio.
One sizable new addition to the queue area appears to be a new paintjob for this wall found in the latter half of the upstairs queue. The new paint features a vibrant blue and white “Big Thunder Mining Company” graphic, though a small windowed portion intersects with the first few letters of the logo.
As guests descend through the ride, a few new elements can be spotted just before loading onto the coaster.
As guests descend through the ride, a few new elements can be spotted just before loading onto the coaster.
A new framed map of Big Thunder Mountain can be seen on the left edge of the above photo. The map can also be found in the upstairs portion. A cage lantern hangs toward the end of the queue split, while two mining lanterns mounted to the backwall frame the final ride safety sign, to the right of which is a new corkboard and a framed letter featuring additional in-narrative storytelling elements for the miners of Big thunder Mining Company.
Loading Zone and Vehicles
The attraction features completely new trains, but they have approximately the same designs as the older ones. The trains also retain their pun-filled monikers, featuring names like “U.B. Bold,” “U.R. Daring,” “U.R. Courageous,” “I.M. Brave,” “I.B. Hearty,” and “I.M. Fearless.”
The fronts are green and red, and the individual vehicles themselves are brown with wood panel accents, resembling wooden mine carts. Though the upholstery appears to be refreshed, the seating arrangement still consists of a single lap bar and bench, fitting approximately 2 adults.
Ride Experience
Overall, the entire track of the ride was replaced and other safety items were adjusted, meaning the height requirement has been lowered from 40″ to 38″. The ride also has refreshed Audio-Animatronics and new gold props, as well as restored effects that were previously broken.
The opening scene has been transformed to Rainbow Caverns, consisting of over 2,000 bats, phosphorescent pools, and stalagmites and stalactites.
Then thunder rumbles, and the scene shifts to a menacing atmosphere.
The train then dives into much of the exterior portion of the experience, dipping and banking throughout the wild west landscape, including the refurbished town of Tumbleweed.
It’s worth noting from our first visit that the ride experience is significantly smoother compared to the coaster’s previous trackage. It almost eliminates the “runaway” feel.
Riders on the runaway train will race past a variety of Wild West and desert landscape motifs, including imposing works and some menacing fossils along the way.
The various buildings of Tumbleweed and the wagon of Cumulus Isobar can be seen from two angles above, in a Disney Parks official photo and our own ride photo, respectively.
Fans may remember a pair of possums dangling from this dead tree about halfway through the ride track. As of today’s reopening, the possums appear to have been removed. Given the return of several other critters throughout the attraction, it’s unclear if this is a temporary removal or if the possums can be found in a new location elsewhere Big Thunder Mountain.
Finally, as the ride ascends through one final cavern, sparkling with specks of gold throughout, the “Mother Lode” climax comes into play.
As the train crests over the final lift hill, the gigantic gold nugget comes into view, before riders are “pushed out” by the mountain as a warning that humanity will never take its riches.
The train banks through its final series of twists and turns before slowing to a stop back in the Big Thunder Mining Co. building.
One final addition we noticed on our first ride through: exit gates have been added to the threshold of both unload areas.
Disney Official Images Highlight New Details
POV Video
Watch our full video of the wildest ride in the wilderness below:
What do you think of all these upgrades and changes? Let us know on social media.
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