Magic Kingdom Attractions: Big Thunder Mountain

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Nestled in the heart of Frontierland at Walt Disney World, a thrilling adventure awaits those seeking an adrenaline-pumping ride through the untamed wilderness. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an iconic roller coaster that takes guests on a wild and exhilarating journey through a haunted gold mining town. Join us as we embark on a wild ride through the legend and lore of Big Thunder Mountain.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad immerses riders in the fabled tale of Tumbleweed, an abandoned mining town haunted by the supernatural forces of the mountain. As guests board their mine train, they are transported into a world of mystery and danger. The detailed theming, including crumbling buildings, mine shafts, and a picturesque landscape, sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure.

The main attraction of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is its thrilling roller coaster experience. With twists, turns, and unexpected drops, this high-speed ride keeps riders on the edge of their seats. The mine train hurtles through dark tunnels, races over rickety bridges, and careens around sharp corners, providing an adrenaline rush for thrill-seekers of all ages. The exhilarating combination of speed and theming creates an immersive and unforgettable experience.

What sets Big Thunder Mountain Railroad apart is the attention to detail and immersive storytelling. Throughout the ride, guests catch glimpses of the supernatural forces that haunt the town, from the ghostly presence of the Big Thunder Mountain itself to the animated figures and special effects that bring the legend to life. The seamless integration of storytelling and thrilling coaster elements adds an extra layer of excitement and immersion.

While Big Thunder Mountain Railroad offers thrills and excitement, it remains accessible to guests of all ages. The coaster’s moderate speeds and smooth track make it suitable for families and those seeking a milder thrill. The captivating theming and storytelling also make it an engaging experience for those who may not be avid coaster enthusiasts.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World’s Frontierland is a must-visit attraction for those seeking an exhilarating adventure through the wild west. With its immersive theming, thrilling coaster elements, and captivating storytelling, it combines the best of Disney magic and high-speed thrills. So, climb aboard the mine train, brace yourself for twists and turns, and hold on tight as you embark on a wild ride through the legend of Big Thunder Mountain.

Guest Arrested at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

For millions of families every year, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are the ideal locations for their dream vacations. Getting to soak up the magic of your favorite stories is an experience like no other, and Disney Parks offer an immersive and entertaining experience truly unlike any other.

Many Guests love that visiting Disney feels like an escape from reality. When you are in the Disney bubble, it can feel like any problem if the rest of the world melts away. However, sometimes a harrowing situation within the Parks is all you need to snap out of the Disney haze.

guests with mickey mouse

It seems that lousy Guest behavior has been a repeating issue at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Both of these Parks have been suffering from a larger-than-normal influx of Guest issues. These issues range from some “Karen” attacks to shocking and disturbing criminal behavior. 

Unfortunately, these disturbances and pushing fans further away from the Parks. Some fans don’t feel that the Parks are fun and wholesome anymore.

As a cherry on top of the neverending recent list of issues, Guests are now reporting that there was an arrest made at Disneyland Resort today. The arrest reportedly took place on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a thrilling roller coaster located in the Frontierland of Disneyland Park.

As of now, there is limited information about what the arrest was for. One Guest reached out on Twitter to investigate if anyone knew more about the situation on the arrest at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, saying;

“Any one know the details of why someone was apparently arrested after being escorted off BTMR?”

This arrest, as well as several other recent issues at Disney’s theme parks, has exposed a terrifying trend within the Parks. Disney is meant to be a safe and wholesome place for all ages, and hearing about these incidents all the time paints the Parks in a negative light.

Tragedy on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Every year, millions of fans travel to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in hopes of having the vacation of their dreams. Fans save up thousands of dollars and plan for months, or even years, in advance for their Disney vacation. Visiting a Disney Park and Resort is not cheap, and for many fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Unfortunately, not every Disney trip ends in a “Happily Ever After.” Crises and mishaps happen in the Parks just the same as everywhere else.

Disney World Changes

Every Guest of Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort hopes that their vacation will be perfect. As much as packing, planning, and research can help, nothing can prepare you for what happens when tragedy strikes on your vacation.

Yesterday, May 17, 2023, an incident occurred on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a roller coaster that takes place in Frontierland, which is a part of Magic Kingdom. Visitors board a train car that is meant to evoke the feeling of riding on old mining equipment. The ride’s theme is inspired by the American West and the gold rush era.

Unfortunately, Guests waiting in line for the attraction were told to leave in order to make way for a stretcher.

did someone get hurt on thunder mountain??
by u/user13778338 in WaltDisneyWorld

Sadly, health crises happen in the Parks nearly every day. Things like heart attacks and strokes happen all the time, and unfortunately, they cannot be prevented by the Parks. Another common issue is Guests underestimated how physically strenuous the Parks can be. Walking for miles on end in the Florida or California heat is no joke.

In the case of this person on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, no explanation has been given. We can all wish the person affected well during this time.

Guest Sprays Cheez-Whiz While Riding Big Thunder Mountain

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

One thing that Walt Disney always prided himself on was keeping Disneyland Park clean. When Disneyland first opened, Walt watched how far Guests would carry their trash before throwing it on the ground. That is how he determined how far apart each trash can in the theme park should be from the next. Walt wanted to not only give people a fun park, but also a beautiful one. He also expected Guests to appreciate the environment they were in and respect it by keeping it clean.

Unfortunately, some people’s manners seem to have gotten worse over the years, and they treat Disney as their own, personal dumping ground. Some Guests also think it’s funny to deface the Parks simply so they can get a laugh. That happened recently at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were shocked and disgusted when a young man actually sprayed a can of Cheez-Whiz off of the side of the train car.

Big Thunder Mountain

The video was posted on TikTok by user Disney Stuff! (@_disney._stuff_) and you can watch it below.

@_disney._stuff_

Guy spreads cheese on Big Thunder #disney #bigthundermountain #magickingdom #disneyland #disneyrides #dontdoit #disneytiktok #castmember

♬ original sound – Disney Stuff!

Many users were shocked at the blatant disrespect that the Guest showed to Disney and its property. One user, Sabrina, claimed that she was on the same train as the Guest and Cast Members were waiting for him when the train came to a stop. According to Sabrina, the Cast Members only took the can away from the Guest. Many commented that the Cast Members should have gone a step further and escorted the Guest out of the Park, or even ban him from returning.

It shouldn’t need to be said, but this type of behavior is unacceptable at Disney Parks and is against the rules. The Walt Disney World Resort website states the following under its Rules and Regulations:

Please show common courtesy to fellow Guests and our Cast Members by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive or offensive behavior, jumping lines or saving places in lines for others. For your safety and the safety of others, please refrain from running except in designated areas.

Magic Kingdom

If you are caught breaking Disney’s rules, they have the right to ask you to leave the Park. If your behavior is particularly egregious, Disney may even decide to ban you from all the Parks for a certain amount of time. Guests have gone viral for behavior that has gotten them banned for the day, a year, or even for life — which is rare, but not unheard of.

Death at Big Thunder Mountain has led to the belief that the ride is haunted

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

Nearly 20 years ago, a young man lost his life at the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort in California, which led the state to mandate stricter safety requirements. And today, some still believe his spirit lives on inside the park.

Twenty-two-year-old Marcelo Torres, a graphic designer and aspiring animator, was seated in the lead passenger car of the ride vehicle at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain attraction when a tragic accident happened on the ride in 2003. The crash was the result of the failure of a mechanical part on the locomotive ride vehicle.

Per a report in theLos Angeles Times, the accident happened when two bolts from the locomotive’s left guide wheel assembly came loose and fell off the vehicle, causing a chain-reaction of events.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Opens in Frontierland at Disneyland - D23

The bolts falling off caused “an axle to jam into the railroad’s ties. The locomotive nose-dived, and its rear hit the top of a tunnel. The force snapped a tow bar connecting the locomotive to the lead passenger car, which slammed into the locomotive’s undercarriage,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Marcelo Torres was killed in the accident, and ten other Guests were injured as well.

Torres’s parents, Jaime and Carmen Torres, of Gardena, California, sued Disney after the death of their son. In December 2005, just three days before jury selection was to begin in the case, Disney settled with the Torres family for an undisclosed amount.

The Walt Disney Company also accepted responsibility for the terrible accident, saying in a statement from then-Disneyland Resort spokesman Rob Doughty, that Disney “deeply regrets that the tragic accident occurred and [is] terribly saddened by the grievous pain this caused the Torres family.”

marcelo torres family disneyland accident

In response, Marcelo Torres‘s parents issued a statement, saying, “There is no money possible to pay for his life– ever–but that is the only remedy the law can provide. Now that this exhausting emotional process has finally concluded and we have our answers, we will hopefully have some closure.”

But some believe that closure hasn’t come for everyone and that Marcelo Torres‘s spirit still lives on near the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort.

An online video posted by HauntedTraveler77 claims that the spirit of Marcelo Torres sits on a bench near the attraction in the evenings.

One viewer responded, saying “I haven’t seen the ghost but I get an icky feeling walking over there after closing. There are some places you don’t go alone.”

big thunder mountain

The accident was one of three serious accidents that happened in just five years at Disneyland. The accident also led the State of California to mandate additional safety requirements for Disneyland. Per the Los Angeles Times:

After the crash, the state ordered Disneyland to retrain ride maintenance workers, managers, and ride operators; to require a test run of all cars on Big Thunder Mountain before passengers are loaded, and to require that those who perform maintenance on rides be the ones who sign that the work was completed.

The Big Thunder Mountain crash was one of three major accidents during a five-year period at Disneyland in which ride maintenance arose as an issue. A patron was killed in 1998 when he was hit by an iron cleat that a taut rope tore from the Columbia sailing ship. Two years later, nine passengers were injured on Space Mountain when a bolt broke on a wheel assembly.