#10: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Where: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Launched: September 23, 1980 (soft opening), November 15, 1980 (official)
Design: Lift Hill
Top speed: 36 mph
Inversions: 0
Duration: 3:30
Height restriction: 40 inches
Source: Roller Coaster DataBase
The Old West comes to life in one of Disney's Magic Kingdom's biggest thrill rides, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Located in Frontierland past Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad captures the essence of an old country atmosphere as guests board a mining cart to trek rickety tracks and maneuver the curves of rolling hills and deep canyons as they ride through the small mining town of Tumbleweed.
Passengers wait for their ride at the headquarters of Big Thunder Mining, boarding a train without a conductor that develops a mind of its own, breaking free of the track and racing up and down the mountain. While passengers are kept on the edges of their seats, they will encounter many different types of mountain scenery such as caverns, caves and waterfalls. Those who look carefully might even spot a mountain goat.
With a peak speed of 36 miles per hour and no serious drops, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might not seem ideal for thrill-seekers, but the rickety, bumpy track makes this coaster just as aggressive as any other.
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