Location: To the right beyond Rancho del Zocalo as you enter Frontierland from Main Street.
Date Opened: 9/15/1979
# of Ride Units: Five trains exist.
Ride Capacity: Each train consists of five cars, each car can hold six passengers in three rows for a total of 30 passengers per car.
Restraint Method: Lapbar
Ticket Rating: E Ticket
Ride Photo: No
Open/Close: Opens and closes with the park.
Wait Times: Lines can be long with waits of 45 minutes not uncommon. When FastPass is available (the weekends), its use it recommended.
Length of Ride: 3 minutes 30 seconds
FastPass: Yes (on weekends and during peak period weekdays).
Single Rider: No
Queue Description: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has an attractive queue, winding through an old mining town. Unfortunately much of it is exposed to the sun which makes it unpleasant on hot days.
Health Restriction: This is a roller coaster and riders should be in general good health and free of heart, back, or neck problems that could be exacerbated by sudden changes in direction and extra forces. Pregnant women should not ride.
Ride Access: The regular queue is not accessible to wheelchairs and ECVs. To reach the ride go to the exit of the ride. Go down either exit ramp (if only one side is operating, the gate will be closed on the other side making the decision of which direction easy!) The exit routes are narrow and extremely steep, so be careful of other guests. A cast member will direct you where to go.
Wheelchair Transfer: Riders will need to transfer from wheelchairs and ECVs and then step down into the mine trains. If the ride is operating such that you'll exit from the opposite platform as you entered, your equipment will be moved and waiting for you.
Service Animals: No
Audio: Sound plays only a minor role in this attraction.
Weight and Size Issues: It is possible to ride alone in a row if additional room is needed. Long legs may find the space a bit tight but manageable. The lapbar will accommodate riders of just about any size (though a large discrepancy in size between adjacent passengers may leave the smaller person feeling uncomfortably unrestrained.
Height Restriction: 40" (102 cm)
Child Swap: Yes. Ask the Cast Member at the entrance to the Thunder Mountain queue for a Rider Switch pass. Two people may return through the Fast Pass entrance when the rest of your party finishes their ride.
Other Issues: Make sure children keep hands and feet inside of the train. A child lost part of his foot between the train and the "dock" once! This is a roller coaster ride so prepare your children for a fast ride.
