Is Big Thunder Mountain fast?

Your trip on the ?wildest ride in the wilderness? will be around 3 minutes long and has a top speed of 35 mph.



Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is considered a "moderate" speed roller coaster, reaching a top speed of 36 miles per hour (58 km/h). While it is the fastest roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom (beating out Space Mountain which hits 27 mph), it is far slower than modern thrill coasters which can exceed 70 mph. The sensation of speed on Big Thunder is "amplified" because the train is low to the ground and weaves through tight canyons, tunnels, and wooden structures, making it feel much faster than it actually is. It is famous for its three "lift hills" and the absence of inversions or massive drops, making it a "Level 4" thrill that is accessible to most children and adults. Note for 2026 visitors: Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World is currently closed for a massive, multi-year refurbishment and is not expected to reopen until later in the year, as the entire track is being replaced to ensure a smoother and more reliable ride experience for the future.

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Ride it after dark if you can. Seats in the back offer the best experience. In terms of intensity, we put this coaster at about a 5 on a scary scale of 10—it has tight turns rather than big hills or drops, and no loops or upside-down parts.

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Race through a haunted gold mine aboard a speeding train on this thrilling coaster-style ride.

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There are only very small drops on this ride, much like the drop in Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, and Slinky Dog Dash. The ride is tame enough that guests are restrained with a lap bar rather than an over-head restraint. However, there is a height requirement of 40 inches, or 102 centimeters.

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One of the best Magic Kingdom rides! Big Thunder Mountain is one of the most underrated WDW rides! The wait can get kind of long on busy days but if you time it right, you won't wait more than 30-40 minutes. My whole family loves this roller coaster, we make sure to ride it every time we are in Magic Kingdom.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fast roller coaster-type attraction designed for kids and adults. However, some parts of this attraction are bumpy and, in some instances, take place in the dark.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fast rollercoaster-type attraction designed for kids and adults. However, some sections of this attraction are bumpy and take place in the dark.

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Avengers Assemble: Flight Force is the fastest ride at Disneyland Paris.

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Description: Thunder Mountain is a great intro coaster if you are looking to eventually work up the nerve to do bigger coasters. The theming is an Old Western mining town with lots of mountains, caverns and dynamite to make your way through.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park will be closed for a refurbishment beginning on April 3, 2023. The Disneyland calendar currently only goes through April 3, so a reopening date for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is not yet available. It will likely be a relatively basic refurbishment.

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This depends on your definition of scary. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is pretty loud, quite fast, and more than a little bumpy. It's a (fun) wild ride! The ride also has tight turns, dips, and bumps, as well as 2 big drops.

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