When Guests visit a Disney Park, they rarely expect for a ride to break down, and certainly not while they are on it! Rides tend to actually have complications quite often no matter what Disney Park you are visiting. Considering they are running all day long, every day, mechanics are bound to have little issues every now and again.
However, there are some attractions that Guests have noticed as notorious for breaking down. At Walt Disney World, we often see Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, and more have to temporarily close from time to time. Another ride that also faces issues is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. It seems that Disney World, however, is not the only Park that this attraction has experienced issues in.
Credit: Disney
As we have reported in the past, Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris breaks down often and has even recently gone under refurbishment. As a Premier Access attraction, Guests are sometimes left crowding the entrance waiting to skip the line after paying to do so, only to be asked to wait until it reopens. This is something that can occur with any attraction, and Disney works hard to curb any lost time by making the repairs efficient, but it is interesting when you see breakdowns become a pattern.
Credit: Disney
At Disneyland Park in California, it seems the attraction has been having some technical difficulties as well, as of late. One Reddit poster recently shared Big Thunder Mountain breaking down while on the incline up the rocky tunnel shaft. Two4Slashing shared a photo of the location where the ride broke down stating, “Uhh, we stuck!!”.
Interestingly enough, the comments on the thread pointed out that this is becoming a common occurrence on the attraction. One reader commented, “I got stuck in the exact same spot and someone posted a similar breakdown in this spot a few days ago,” while another chimed in and said, “I came here to say that someone posted in this exact same spot a few days ago.”
Four other Guests commented that they recently got stuck there as well, with a fifth noting “We got stuck twice a few weeks ago. Once we were in a spot where we couldn’t get out and had to wait about 40 minutes for maintenance, then we got stuck on the first incline and had to climb down. I was worried they’d have to get a crane to get me out, haha.”
Credit: Disney
It is unfortunate that this is where the ride is experiencing issues as it is where the amazing explosion effect takes place, which for many is the highlight of the ride. The Guest who posted the Reddit thread noted that they were stuck for 20 minutes and then had spent around 20 minutes evacuating. They were given a free Lightning Lane pass to use on another attraction in the Park for their troubles.
Legend has it that after gold was discovered in the 1850s, eerie incidents took place in the mine. Trains would take off and race through tunnels… by themselves.
As you enter the cursed cavern, your train speeds up along the rickety track. Shoot under a booming waterfall and dodge a falling boulder from an unexpected landslide as you swoop around sharp turns and drop into desolate canyons.
On this rip-roaring adventure, you may learn that some legends turn out to be true…
How Scary Is it?
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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A Bit of Disneyland Lore
The miniature ghost town of Big Thunder that you roll past at the end of the attraction predates Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Originally named Rainbow Ridge, the town is one of several elements from the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (later called Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland) that transported Guests around Frontierland from 1956 to 1977.
More on Disneyland Park
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At Disneyland, there is so much for Guests to enjoy! Now that the mask mandate has dropped for fully vaccinated Guests, Guests can enter buildings without a face covering if they so choose. Walking up to Sleeping Beauty Castle is always a dream, especially when you get to go inside and relive the story of Aurora and Maleficent. Riding classics like “it’s a small world”, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, The Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain, and more will have you feeling the magic, and craving a churro! Toontown is currently gearing up for a massive change which will be revealed in 2023 with the reopening of the land, and the debut of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Plus, now at Disneyland, Guests can enjoy Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for some blue milk, or green milk, and ride Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run.
Are you a fan of Big Thunder Mountain? Let us know in the comments below!Â
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!
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