On this day in 1980, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World first soft-opened to guests. The Florida version was actually completed first, but was the second location to open, over a year after Disneyland’s version in California. Magic Kingdom’s attraction is modeled after Monument Valley in Arizona. Its themed ride area is about 25% bigger than in Disneyland. The track layout is also reversed from California’s, banking left instead of right. [45 years ago in 2025]
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | DISNEY THIS DAY | September 23, 1980
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