This Girl Travels

To Explore, Inform & Inspire!

  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Hotels
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Girlfriend Getaways
    • Adventure
    • Theme Parks
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Disney
    • Caribbean
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia
  • Cruises
  • Weddings/Honeymoons
    • Destination Weddings
    • Honeymoons
  • Product Reviews
    • Car Reviews
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Apparel
  • Blog
  • 100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • About Karon
    • Contributing Writers
  • Media Kit

Take a Ride on the Updated Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland

By Dawn Cullo

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is know as “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” and can be found in Frontierland at all of the Disney Parks (and Westernland in Tokyo Disneyland). In the Disneyland version of the ride the attraction takes place in the town of Rainbow Ridge on a runaway mine car through the abandoned mine shaft owned by Big Thunder Mining Company. If you are headed to Disneyland this summer you will get to ride on the updated Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The attraction originally opened in 1979 and closed in January 2013 for a much needed refurbishment. The attraction was closed for 14 months and opened late March 2014 but once it finally opened it was worth the wait.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Sign

During the refurbishment, most of the attraction’s tracks were replaced as well as the sound system which makes for a smoother and more exciting ride experience. Disneyland ride veterans will notice the rock slide towards the end of the ride on the final hill is no longer part of the attraction. It has been replaced by a dynamite explosion effect, smoke and explosion projections. The original buildings used as the town of Rainbow Ridge were repurposed from a previous attraction called Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland which opened in 1960. These buildings were in much need of updating so they were torn down and replaced during the refurbishment. However, many of props from the previous town were recycled and used outside the updated buildings.

The ride is very popular so be sure to pick up Fast Passes for the ride. If the ride should happen to break down during your Fast Pass return time be sure to hang on to the passes because they will be honored as long as you use them that day.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Disneyland Fastpass

Don’t forget to also take a ride on the Mark Twain and you will get a fantastic view and some great pictures of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Disneyland

Share this Post!

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share on Pinterest Feed

Filed Under: Disney, Theme Parks Tagged With: Big Thunder Mining Company, Dawn Cullo, Disney Parks, Disneyland, Fast Passes, Frontierland, Mine Train, Nature's Wonderland, Paula Schmitt, Rainbow Ridge, Take a Ride on the Updated Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, This Girl Travels, Travel

About Dawn Cullo

Dawn is a social influencer and has been writing about her nerdy side since 2004 at "I Am A Mommy Nerd". She enjoys writing about Social Media, Disney and life with two little girls. Her advice is to keep on dreaming, do what you love and life will lead you a path to your happiness. Dawn lives in Northern California with her two daughters and her husband. Dawn has introduced the magic of Disney to her daughters, and instills in them that if they can dream it, they can do it. You can connect with Dawn on Twitter or Facebook.

Follow This Girl!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Post Archives

Join TGT & Don’t Miss a Thing!

Enter your email address to receive weekly updates from our blog.

We will never spam you or share your email address.

Twitter: thisgrltravels

  • Thankful to @ChereCoen for this fantastic profile of me & “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before Y… https://t.co/FB53W0lsxY 09:30:10 AM March 22, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • TODAY! Get 30% off “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die” by ordering direct from… https://t.co/Wsl3QbJSM0 01:48:45 PM March 14, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @karonwarren: Today is #ReadAcrossAmerica Day, making it a great time to order & read “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains B… 05:08:04 PM March 02, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Expands Popular Europe Offerings in 2024: https://t.co/ikvfO0QUOp https://t.co/cWRrSJ4UTF 03:16:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Adding Fourth Ship to Galveston, Offering Longer Cruises With Carnival Miracle: https://t.co/ngVIml5ki… 03:15:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
@thisgrltravels

This Girl Travels Copyright © 2023