What Is The Height of the Drop On Big Thunder Mountain?

A fan-favorite ride in Magic Kingdom lies in the heart of Frontierland, and no — we aren’t talking about the dearly departed Splash Mountain.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a three-minute-long, family-friendly coaster that takes you through the mines of the Gold Rush. Legend has it that these mines were haunted, and trains would start moving by themselves! This coaster takes you through the haunted mines on a runaway train — and you’ll encounter exploding dynamite, avalanches, a ghost town, and more!

When visiting Disney World, it’s important to know all the nitty gritty details of the rides and attractions to make sure it truly is family-friendly — for YOUR family’s needs! So, is Big Thunder Mountain actually scary? Let’s talk about it!

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.

While this ride is a fan-favorite for many families, do keep in mind that there are scenes in this ride that feature a dark environment and LOUD noises, especially the scenes where the train is going uphill. Further, while there are no big drops or inversions, this is a pretty bumpy ride.

We see small children with ear protection on this ride very often. Sometimes, we even see adults holding their ears! If you or someone in your party has sensory issues, we recommend skipping this one OR ensuring that you have hearing protection with you!

If anyone in your party wishes to skip out, Big Thunder Mountain does offer Rider Swap, which allows one person to be a companion for the person skipping the ride — and will allow them to go through the Lightning Lane once the rest of the party has ridden. This way, your party won’t endure a long line twice! And yes, this ride is an option for individual Lightning Lane and Genie+.

Ultimately,  this is a fan-favorite attraction for a reason. We think this ride is very fun, and a great option for the whole family. Here’s a little secret… with these train-style rides, sitting in the front will provide a slower, more tame ride. For more thrill, ask to sit in the back! Just ask the Cast Member loading the ride if you can wait for your desired seat.

Big Thunder Mountain is high on our list of things to do at Magic Kingdom! (Pssst… We’ve heard it’s a great way to experience fireworks at night!) Really, the only downside to this attraction is that it isn’t part of Early Entry at Magic Kingdom yet. 😭 Speaking of Magic Kingdom, make sure to check out the video below if you’re looking to have the BEST DAY EVER at this Disney World park.

Where Is Big Thunder Mountain? Which Disney Parks Have One?

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Do you love Big Thunder Mountain or is it a skip? Let us know in the comments! 

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