Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World gets new backstory

© Disney

In an effort to keep more guests occupied when waiting in lines, Disney Wold  has been rolling out interactive queues at various attractions, now it is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s turn.

The queue being developed will include several portraits and other items that are under wraps, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The Imagineers are expanding the original backstory of the ride (people come to a mining town and find gold in an old Native American burial ground,  flash flood destroys town, possessed train cars take people on a ride)  and will incorporate that into the line. As part of this, the Disney Parks Blog unveiled the portrait Barnabas T. Bullion (the gold magnate, get it?) who owns the Big Thunder Mining Company.

According to the blog, the enhanced backstory goes like this: “Barnabas T. Bullion is the founder and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company. The longtime mining magnate comes from a powerful East Coast family and considers gold to be his very birthright . . . he considers the ultimate gold strike to be his destiny. And that is why he is having so much trouble with Big Thunder Mountain. According to superstitious locals, Big Thunder Mountain is very protective of the gold it holds within, and the unfortunate soul who attempts to mine its riches is destined to fail. And so far that prophecy is coming to pass. The mine has been plagued by mysterious forces and natural disasters ever since. . . a word to the wise for anyone attempting to visit the mountain: watch out for runaway trains.”

And who do you think Barnabas looks like? Here’s one comparison.