Review: Big Thunder Mountain Reopens as the Smoothest Ride in the Wilderness
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened today at Magic Kingdom after a massive 16-month refurbishment that transformed the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” into the “smoothest.”
While many guests will be busy searching for bats in the caves, gawking at the vibrant Rainbow Caverns, or hunting for gold throughout the mountain, the most significant change is the ride experience itself. The entire 2,780-foot steel coaster track was replaced and brand-new train vehicles were added.
While you might still slide side-to-side during some of the sharper turns, the jarring, bumpy vibration is gone. These upgrades made a major difference in the accessibility of the attraction, allowing Disney to lower the height requirement from 40 inches to 38 inches.
Now you no longer feel like you’re being rattled in your seat, you can focus on the sensory details hidden throughout the caves—or lift hills, as they are known in coaster parlance.
The biggest change is the Rainbow Caverns. As the runaway trains rattle underground, guests will be immersed in a subterranean world of phosphorescent pools and shimmering, iridescent stalactites and stalagmites. This is very colorful, but listen carefully, as there is a menacing rumble. Here you feel the mountain spirits telling you you are not welcome, which sounds a lot like dynamite going off.
Walt Disney Imagineering has completely overhauled the bat cave, moving away from simple “airline bats” toward a full-scale ecological takeover. According to Disney, the scene now features over 2,000 bats, including 200 high-detail “show set” figures. Utilizing 3D scans of the mountain, teams added glowing red eyes and specialized fans to simulate movement, while hidden painted eyes at the back of the cave create the illusion of an endless tunnel.
While the colony of bats is impressive, the details can be a bit difficult to spot in the darkness of the cave. A swarm of audio effects or the sound of bats chasing the train would have helped create a stronger connection to the scene, but for now, you will just have to keep your eyes peeled to catch all the new details.
The final major update occurs in the last cave, where the mountain finally yields its treasures. Not only are gold nuggets embedded throughout the walls, but as you reach the crest of the final hill, you encounter a massive gold boulder. This is the long-awaited “mother lode” that the Big Thunder Mining Company has been searching for all these years. But, it is out of reach as the train dips underneath and away.
The exterior elements, including the local wildlife animatronics, have also been refreshed, but you might find yourself distracted by the construction views of Piston Peak and Villains Land. This attraction will likely be the best spot to catch glimpses of the ongoing work, even as Disney erects large walls next to the track to shield the construction from view.
The enhancements to the showpieces are fantastic, but ultimately, the smoother ride experience is what will keep this coaster on everyone’s permanent must-do list at Magic Kingdom.
The Legend of Big Thunder Mountain
Barnabas T. Bullion is the wealthy founder of the Big Thunder Mining Company, driven by an obsessive quest to extract every ounce of gold from Big Thunder Mountain. After establishing his operation in 1850, Bullion enjoyed early success, but his relentless digging eventually triggered the “mountain spirits.”
As nature pushed back, the mines were plagued by equipment failures, mysterious cave-ins, and ominous rumbles of thunder. Despite the mountain’s warnings and the departure of most his crew, Bullion’s ambition never wavered—and while the mining operation has crumbled, his long-sought treasure is finally visible to those brave enough to board the runaway trains.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Fun Fact
Take a look at the engines running the trains: “U.B. Bold,” “U.R. Daring,” “U.R. Courageous,” “I.M. Brave,” “I.B. Hearty,” and “I.M. Fearless.”
