The runaway mine train is a theme park staple that you find in many parks but nobody does it like Disney and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is no exception. Having taken many rides on the Floridian incarnation of this attraction I was pleasantly surprised when I first visited Disneyland Paris as this version of the Disney favourite was even better.
The Story
The ride has a great backstory which appeals to adults and children alike. Sometime in the 19th century gold was discovered on Big Thunder Mountain which was situated in the American Southwest. The neighbouring settlement of Thunder Messa became a thriving town and the mine was so successful that trains were required to transport the ore. The locals were not aware, however, that the site had been cursed by native Americans for whom the mountain was a sacred place. The tragedy of an earthquake ensued and the mine and the town were abandoned but the trains were found to be running around the mountain on their own.
The Ride
The theming is naturally brilliant and there is something uplifting about the gold mining/wild west atmosphere. You expect cowboys and Indians to appear at any moment but you won’t need your equestrian equipment to take on the attraction. The ride is a merry jaunt around the mountain on a driverless train with many drops, turns and twists. There is also thrill of racing through dark tunnels to reach the island on which the mountain stands and to travel back to the station. The journey is thrilling enough for adults and very exciting for the kids. You could argue that this is one of the greatest family rides ever built. I am a dedicated fan of serious roller coasters and the bigger the better as far as I am concerned and yet this ride calls me back again and again and I never tire of it.
I should also say that the Thunder Mountain experience is greatly enhanced at night. The romp on the mountain seems even more thrilling in the dark, the caves of the mine are more sinister and the tunnels are completely black making the plunge into them more shocking.
I have also been impressed by Disney’s ability to keep this outdoor ride running in even the most severe weather. I once visited the park in February when the temperature was -10 degrees, there was snow on the ground and the lake around Thunder Mountain was almost completely frozen. In spite of the challenges the ride was fully operational and I took several spins despite the imminent onset of frost bite. The wind rushing past you in those temperatures is really not funny and I completed every circuit with eyes watering and blue extremities.
Conclusions
There are some rides which are simply classics and which transcend the generations. They remain great attractions despite technological advancements and bigger, more hi tech rides springing up. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is just such a ride and I am sure I will still be singing its praises in another 20 years.
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Article by Sally Stacey