At a glance
This ride is a rollercoaster that takes passengers into a Wild West gold mine. The track runs over a rocky mountain in the middle of the water, so the train has to go through tunnels under the lake to reach it.
Along the way, you feel a real sense of speed with tight bends and sudden drops in the dark. Big Thunder Mountain is popular for its bumpy ride while staying suitable for kids as soon as they reach the minimum height. If your children are too small, ask for a Rider Switch (formerly Baby Switch) ticket at the exit: it lets the adults take turns without queuing again.
Take the time to look out for the many hidden details along the ride, such as the thunderbird tucked away on the mountain. Keep your eyes open on the first lift hill: a hidden Mickey appears in the drops of water falling on the right.
Designed under the direction of Imagineer Tony Baxter, the Paris version is the only one built on a central island, which also makes it the longest of all the versions. The mining town of Thunder Mesa, built around the ride, has barely changed since opening day.
The story is about a mine haunted by a supernatural force, where the wagons start moving all by themselves. The setting is inspired by the nineteenth-century desert landscapes of the US, with the sound of explosions and simulated rockfalls.
Big Thunder Mountain is one of the rides that regularly closes for maintenance. Check whether it’s closed for refurbishment during your dates.
A complete family coaster. Moderate thrills (no loops or inversions), a richly detailed theme and a generous ride time. Riding at the end of the day as the sun sets is still one of the most beautiful moments in the park.
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 along with Disneyland Park, Big Thunder Mountain is the only version of this ride to have been part of its park’s opening-day line-up. You’ll also find it at Disneyland Anaheim (1979), at Magic Kingdom in Orlando (1980) and at Tokyo Disneyland (1987).
Big Thunder Mountain is part of the Thunder Mesa saga: discover its full story.
Technical data
- Top speed
- 65 km/h
- Duration
- 3 min 55
- Length
- 1.2 km
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Roller coaster
- Opening date 12 April 1992
- Duration 3 min 55
- Model Mine train
- Top speed 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Maximum height 22 m
- Track length 1,205 m
- Number of trains 6
- Cars per train 5
- Riders per car 6
- Riders per train 30
- Minimum height 1.02 m
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Manufacturer Vekoma
- Imagineers Tony Baxter, Bill Watkins
- Composer Buddy Baker
- Inspiration Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Disneyland California 1979)
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level low
- Thrill level moderate
- Emotional impact high
- Perceived wait high
- Minimum height 1.02 m
- Recommended age kids, tweens, teens, adults
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Suitable for pregnant visitors
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Skip the regular queue whenever you like. Handy in peak season, when the wait often goes over 60 minutes.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
Automatic photos taken during the ride, to collect after you get off.
Usually open during this slot before the park opens to the public, reserved for Disney hotel guests and Disneyland Pass Gold holders, among others. The right time to ride it with a shorter queue.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Highly immersive setting
- The ride’s story ties in perfectly with the story of the land
- Views over the land and the castle
Weak points
- Often a very long queue
- Jolts and sudden stops at the end of the ride
My verdict
Big Thunder Mountain is the most polished family rollercoaster in Disneyland Park: a runaway train hurtling through an abandoned gold mine perched in the middle of a lake, with tunnels, dynamite explosions and tight bends. 65 km/h (40 mph), a 3 min 55 ride and a minimum height of 102 cm. Best of all, there are no loops, which makes it one of the best coasters for thrill-ride beginners.
Hands down my favourite in Frontierland, and probably my number one ride in the whole resort. My insider tip: always take the left-hand queue when the queue splits. It’s often quicker and runs outside, with a bit of fresh air that’s very welcome in summer. Riding at sunset in high summer is something you shouldn’t miss: it’s stunning. One small downside: the sudden stops at the end can really jolt your neck.
Julie’s tip
Best time to visit
My expert tip: if you can’t make it during the best time slot shown, go as early as possible in the morning, as crowds tend to stay steady for the rest of the day. At sunset, with a bit of luck, you’ll catch the fireworks above the castle during the ride.
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Big Thunder Mountain is in Frontierland, close to Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 What are the minimum heights for each ride at Disneyland Paris?
Here are the minimum heights for the thrill rides at Disneyland Paris. In Disneyland Park: Autopia 0.81 m, Star Tours and Big Thunder Mountain 1.02 m, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain 1.20 m, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril 1.40 m. In Disney Adventure World: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop 0.81 m, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 1.02 m, Crush’s Coaster 1.07 m, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and RC Racer 1.20 m. The other rides have no height restrictions, which makes them ideal for families with young children.
05 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
