You can tell this website does really well with search engine optimization, can’t you? We’re headed out to Magic Kingdom on July 18th and also May 31st. A lot of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad pictures are from May 31st. I’ve really just been a huge jerk not “sharing” them with you, but truth be told, I wanted to gather better pictures and more information on how wait/FASTPASS return times were looking since its lengthy refurbishment concluded back in late May. Was the wait worth it? Probably not. But not everything works out.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the biggies, and barring any technical difficulties, almost always sees more riders than any other attraction on property.
Disney announced on October 6, 2011 that Big Thunder would be going down for refurbishment from January 9th through May 27th, 2012. Many improvements were made (or they tried to make), including repairing the geysers, replacing the track, repainting/refurbishing the mountain, set pieces, buildings, etc. and completely redoing the queue.
We’ll start from the beginning and work our way through the queue. First up, the standby and FASTPASS return entrances were switched. This allows FASTPASS returners easier access to both loading bays and seemingly shortens the length of the standby line. It’s not uncommon for Big Thunder to look much more backed up than it used to, thanks to a reconfiguration of the switchbacks inside. Wheelchair/ECV users still board using a separate entrance near the exit.
Water again flows effortlessly down from the tower above.
Clarkdale was an Arizona mining town founded in 1912 by William A. Clark. If you have the guts, you can ride the “real” Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarksdale. It’s more than a little neat.
Looking up, we can expect to see a lot of mining equipment as we walk the queue.
Some nice views for those of you willing to turn around.
You’ll have time because FASTPASS is huge here. It wouldn’t surprise me if they distributed a thousand or more an hour.
Zoomed out.
Security keeping a watchful eye on the Frontierland railroad station next door. Hey pardner, this is a high tech saloon.
The entire queue has been reworked. I thought I had read that it was going to be wheelchair accessible, but that’s not the case.
The queue isn’t enclosed, but it’s supposed to be air-conditioned. I’ve never been in it when it was working properly. It’s still really hot.
Air should come through those speaker-looking-things on the ceiling. I think.
Disney is going to tease that you can walk right inside the station, down the stairs, and board your runaway train. I can assure that we have a very hot, very sweaty ways to go.
Maybe they should have used more modern air-conditioning components.
Nothing that even looks this old and rusty could possibly function properly.
Brad wants to know what’s in the box. And also, a door to nowhere. Not sure what government approved that.
Barring any significant meltdowns, the returning choo-choos should reassure wary kids that it’s safe to ride.
The attraction itself is beautiful. Disney needs about eight more of this type of immersive ride around property.
GET OUT OF HERE BAR! Never thought I’d say that.
Be careful if the geysers are running because this is right before the ride ends. You can theoretically get stuck here for a while if it takes a while for another train to load/unload.
I’m not sure how common it is, but the geysers weren’t working when I rode on July 18th.
FASTPASS returners arriving on the right and the stopped standby queue lined up on the left through the opening.
There’s often discussion about what the best “first coaster” is for kids. Barnstormer is often the recommendation, but Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might be a better choice. While Barnstormer is much shorter, it’s also wilder and jerkier. Depending on the size of the adult, it may not be possible for the child and the adult to sit next to each other. On Big Thunder, you may be able to get an adult on each side of the child. Since the refurbishment, Big Thunder is a lot smoother than it used to be. However, the caves are dark and one of the lifts is especially loud. At four minutes, it’s also significantly longer than the 90-second-or-so Barnstormer, which really only has about 45 seconds of action.
No smoking in the queue please.
This one says:
“Burton Bro’s
Gen. Mine Supplies
and Machinery
Tropico Mine
Rosamond Calif.”
Sorry, I have a degree in History, which is (not) coincidentally why I don’t have a job. You can read all about the Burtons here and still tour the Tropico mine and mill to this day.
On our way down to the station. With the air-conditioning less than working, I wouldn’t be in the standby line here between 11am and 9pm over the summer.
Luckily, air-conditioning on the walkway down to the trains seems to work a lot better. It’s actually incredibly comfortable once you make it this far.
Including the walk to the loading bay, budget about 15 minutes to experience the attraction if you’re using FASTPASS. Summer afternoon peak waits have been in the 60 to 100 minute range.
You can fit one to three people in each row. Unless you know the person next to you, you aren’t expected to ride with them because there’s nothing separating your bodies. Thus, no single rider.
Eeeeeeeeee!!! We’re going to pull at least .04 G’s. The mountains look like oversized termite hills from Kilimanjaro Safaris.
With a top speed around 30 miles per hour and no substantial drops, most anybody should be able to handle Big Thunder. The 40″ minimum height remains intact. Wear stilts.
Sissies (no doubt) riding the train from Frontierland over to Storybook Circus and then Main Street.
What do you know, we already have Inappropriate Sara imitators. At least this seven year old has the decency to keep more than one finger up. Can’t you see I’m trying to take pictures of GOATS? Or RAMS? Or SOMETHING? For the INTERNET? Some people have their priorities all mixed up.
Too bad text messaging and the Internet don’t exist or some of these runaway trains could tweet others that trouble looms.
Another look at the newly refurbished mountain. This is what it looks like.
Or with the colors and clarity turned up. It’s fun to see the Liberty Square Riverboat head past (upper right).
Otherwise, it should be what you remember from the good ol’ days when the attraction was fresh.
Quick, you distract the 70,000 cast members and I’ll steal the 24-bottle case of Over-The-Gums Irish Blend. I’SIDEMUHBELLAY would have been a better brand name.
The geysers at the exit are working.
A Kodak Picture Spot for how long? I wonder how much I would have to pay Disney to have easyWDW Picture Spots in really awkward places. Like in front of napkin dispensers and refurbishment walls. Ketchup dispensers? And there would be a cardboard cutout of me to pose with? Naw, like the Disney Parks napkins, those would get smuggled out by the million.
FASTPASS return times have been further out since reopening in May, but it still remains a lower priority than Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain (when it’s hot out). This is at 8:10pm, so FASTPASS is still under an hour out this late in the day. When I swung by at 5:56pm to pick up my FASTPASS, the return time was 7:30pm – 8:30pm.
At the same time, the last FASTPASSes of the day are being distributed at Splash Mountain with the 75 minute posted wait.
Tom Sawyer’s Island closes at “dusk,” which isn’t a particularly clear time. They had stopped transporting guests over when this picture was taken at 7:49pm and seemed to be transporting the last of the stragglers over to the main land. I would think the last boat would leave for Tom Sawyer right around 7pm over the summer and they would hunt you down around 8pm.
Speaking of Tom Sawyer’s Island, Harper’s Mill is spinning again.
Speaking of Splash Mountain, do you like to get wet?
You tell me bro.
Someone had asked about Splash Mountain merchandise. I’ve got a good look at the entirety of it in this post.
But here are a few more that fit into the Frontierland aesthetic.
Frontier Mickey and Chip/Dale.
Hats. The raccoon one would run you $12.95. I like the Jessie hat with the braids. Even if you wear both the Chip and Dale hats at the same time, it still isn’t going to turn you into “Magic Mike.” I “haven’t seen that movie,” so I don’t know if that’s a relevant “joke.”
Cowboy hats.
This Henschel runs $41.95, which actually seems like a really good price as they look to run $40+ online.
It’s weird to see kids running around with these very long plastic guns. They run $17.95.
These Deputy Minnie shirts are on sale for $11.99, down from $16.95 inside the Frontierland Pin Store. Whatever its actual name is.
Along with Sheriff Mickey.
For some reason it doesn’t surprise me that moose spit soap is authentically Canadian. Or that their website is crazy. What the heck is a “gms product?” And why are there bubbles floating upwards making it impossible to read? Somehow I found this product listed and it assures us that moose spit is not an active (present) ingredient. A bar would run you $5 direct, so $6.95 isn’t bad considering.
Oh my. Whiskey barrel Pluto is available in Frontierland. That means he isn’t Canadian, right? So he’s purchasable?
Protip: Throwing pieces of your Turkey Leg at the birds won’t make them leave you alone. Mastertip: Hitting them with the Turkey Leg does. Also if you speak fowl, you can point to their legs, point to your turkey leg, and point to your eyes to scare them off. This always works.
We’ll hit the patched up Dumbos, Storybook Circus, and Main Street next.
“Frontier Mickey” is actually Mickey dressed up as Woody, and your Br’er Rabbits are Chips and Dales. GET IT TOGETHER CELEBRITY DISNEY BLOGGER.
I don’t think I can call him “Woody Mickey” in good conscience.
Beautiful pictures! I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to see all the details of BTMR. This coming trip, I’ll definately take more time to look around. 🙂
Thanks for the post Josh… I was curious to see the changes to BTMM.
No kidding. I’m starting to question the “celebrity” status after that blunder.
I got soaked last time on Splash… first time I was ever dripping wet. If there was a Josh cardboard cutout I’d definitely be getting in line for a picture with it.
And the pictures are gorgeous! Love your photos. I enjoy the beauty of the attractions so much from your posts… give me things to look for next time I go back.
I heart you. For reals. If I ever see you in the park I *might* chase you down like a 12yr old girl chasing Bieber. You’ve been warned.
So now that BTM doesn’t open at a different time….what is the standby looking like at 10? It it still doable to get much of FL done and the still ride it standby?
Ok, had to laugh at “woody mickey”!!! Sounds like a joke my teenage son would make!
“Too bad text messaging and the Internet don’t exist or some of these runaway trains could tweet others that trouble looms.” LOL. Always with the laughs josh.
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu42/DonnaHx007RRSSG/GIF/tumblr_lfacveM3oX1qdx8gy.gif
Man, speaking of geysers, the “gushers” are sure out today in the comment section. “The things I’d do to a cardboard cutout of you” Some of you need a trip through Splash to get cooled off….
So if I bought one of the blue/pink guns and park hopped over to Animal Kingdom, do you think they would let me in?
That picture of the toy rifles for sale really brings me back. 20 years ago my brother bought a toy gun on a disney vacation and nearly had it confiscated by airport security because they found it ‘suspicious’.
I can only imagine what kind of ordeal (full-body pat-down and hours of interrogation) we all would have endoured today.
I just want to express my sincere appreciation for the picture of the guy with the sweet mullet. You didn’t point it out but I can’t imagine you didn’t take that picture on purpose.
Have to say thank you for the splash mountain video. My 3 y.o. has been watching it for almost ten minutes on repeat. She laughs hysterically every time.
We’re not allowed to discuss the people in the photos. That is, unless it’s to point out childen flipping the bird.
Thanks for the Master and Pro tips! That really made my day so much better! I’ll vote for letting you keep your celebrity status on those tips alone!
What’s the state of the last lift hill on BTMRR? Before the refurb, there were large chunks of rock missing and the effects were turned off.
easyWDW Picture Spots in really awkward places? You mean like near swimming pools? Where young children swim?
Splash Mountain is my favorite ride. Thanks for the video clip. The “splash” is the best part!
oh…and most of me never gets wet on Splash…hands up, photo, duck…works every time…however, does nothing to stop the tush from getting wet.
Thanks for the heads up on Verde Canyon, I just added it to my Arizona “stuff to do” list.
Unfortunately, Tropico tours are no more. We rode that area a few years ago and peered through the fence at all the cool old machinery and buildings, but the No Trespassing signs and location close to a decently populated area kept us from exploring further.
Josh, I guess you saw the napkin thread on DISboards, too? I’d be interested to hear what you think about that.
Thx for the btmrr update – I thought I might have missed it. It looks great after the refurb. And the SEO comment was superb!
The Verde Canyon train looks cool, I want to book the caboose!
Awkward photo spot: egg roll stand at Animal Kingdom
I hope I will get to ride on my trip in 2 weeks. I don’t wait in long lines… so I will wait it out til a slow time. Hope I don’t have to.
Andy, I’m guessing from his comment about “smuggled out by the millions” that Josh, like most sane people, thinks switching to plain napkins was inevitable. The same people who complain about the new napkins in that thread are the ones who mention taking stacks as souvenirs or stuffing them into their kids’ lunches at home. They’re the reason we can’t have nice things!
“Brad wants to know what’s in the box” 🙁
I adore the photo with the riverboat in the background. I have yet to make it over to Tom Sawyer’s Island. Maybe next trip.
Hey Josh – thanks for the great post as always! Just wondering, on BTMRR refurb if the hidden Mickey is still at the end of the ride, on the right ground side before heading back into the station? Oh please, oh please! BTW the “Woody Mickey” comment (or the sans “Woody Mickey” comment) is classic Josh! And that’s why we keep coming back 🙂
Was the Splash video taken by Tom? The quality is spectacular.
”Also if you speak fowl, you can point to their legs, point to your turkey leg, and point to your eyes to scare them off. This always works.“
Next time we’re together, Mr Historian. This would be fun.
I never use fowl language!
I think gms = goat’s milk soap. I love how the web site says its “creamy leather is great for shaving.”
Smuggled out by the million…are we each taking a 100 home? I don’t have room for that in my luggage allowance 😉
7 year old DD got wet on Splash Mountain on our last visit – not soaked, just wet. She threw a hissy fit and would not calm down until I bought her new (that is dry) pants to change into, and a Duffy with an outfit as a consolation. In he’d case DD stands for Diva Daughter.
We got caught in the toy gun trap back in 1999 when then 7year old DS begged for a pistol from Canada at Epcot. Keep in mind this was before 9/11, so we didn’t think twice about putting it in his backpack with other toys. We ended up having to wrap it in bubble wrap and send it through as checked luggage. Nowadays we would have to pay $25 or more for the extra checked bag, not to mention a lengthy conversation with Security.
Cupcake, I 100% agree with you!