Today in Disney history, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens at Disneyland Resort. The now classic attraction first opened in 1979.
The wildest ride in the wilderness opened on this date at Disneyland Park! Big Thunder speeds guests through the Old West, through dark caverns and past crumbling landslides, using a bit of leftover magic from the previous attractions that stood in its spot, Rainbow Caverns Mine Train and the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. The fast-moving fan-favorite attraction became so beloved it spawned a version at Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World (which opened in 1980), a version at Tokyo Disneyland (1987), and one at Disneyland Paris (1992).
Rainbow Caverns & Nature’s Wonderland
Before Disneyland became home to “the wildest ride in the wilderness,” Disney’s original theme park offered guests a much slower-paced mine train experience. The first such attraction opened as the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train on July 2nd, 1956, with an extension added that renamed the ride “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” in 1960.
Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
This attraction was no roller coaster and instead offered guests the opportunity to ride a narrow gauge railroad right in Frontierland. The original attraction began at a station in Rainbow Ridge (a Disney-created Frontierland-style town). The trains then went on to showcase the “Living Desert,” with scenery that immersed Guests into the American West through props like stagecoaches and desert plants along with hundreds of animals (Animatronic or just still figures, of course.)
Marc Davis’ Influence
If you’ve been reading up on your Disney Park history, or perhaps if you’ve watched The Imagineering Story on Disney+, you might be familiar with Imagineer Marc Davis’ suggestion for changing Disneyland rides. During a conversation with Walt, the Disney Legend suggested that some of the attractions use humor more to their advantage. Doing so would increase guests’ interest in experiencing attractions multiple times, and make the rides more enjoyable and interesting, Davis argued. Perhaps the most famous example of a ride change to include Davis’ request is the Jungle Cruise, which today is known for its punny “dad jokes” but was much drier when the attraction first opened.
While Davis’ suggestion temporarily extended the life of Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, Guests’ tastes were changing, and in 1977 Disney announced that the ride would close to make way for a new roller coaster attraction.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Opens at Disneyland
When Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979, the theming of the ride was changed from a scenic journey through nature to a thrilling runaway mine train. The new version of the ride, while a totally different experience, did manage to reuse some of the effects and props from its predecessors, like the caverns guests pass through on the first lift hill, making Disneyland’s version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad unique from later versions.
Big Thunder Mountain Today
Today, the theming that used to make up Rainbow Ridge can now be found in the station where guests board the trains. As for the original locomotives themselves, existing pieces from the original attraction are now part of the collection of the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum.
Photo by Ernie Carr
Thunder Mountain offers mild thrills making it a great “first real roller coaster” for many guests of all ages, and it remains one of the most popular thrill rides at Disneyland and Disney’s “castle” parks around the world. The attraction is currently operating at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.
A Ride With Tons of Details
As far as roller coasters go, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is truly packed with hidden details and Easter eggs. Disneyland’s version of the attraction has the distinction of showcasing set pieces from past attractions, but Disney World’s Thunder Mountain arguably has one of the most detailed interactive queues around. This queue features interactive dynamite elements that can cause “explosions” on the ride from the line, along with nods to unbuilt attractions like the Western River Expedition, and Disney Imagineers who worked on the attraction.
Rumor has it Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can even do the trick if you ever find yourself needing to pass a kidney stone while in a Disney Park. (Note: This is not official medical advice by any means, but it’s one of Disney’s longest-running rumors!) Don’t miss Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during your next trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, and be sure to keep an eye out for this ride’s hidden history during your trip.
