Big Thunder Mountain will soon be taking guests on the “wildest ride in the wilderness” at the Magic Kingdom once again. After being closed for a long time, the attraction will reopen and be better than ever. With its return, more guests than ever will be able to experience it with its lower height requirement. This will introduce the attraction to a whole new set of fans. With these new fans (and the old ones who perhaps never knew), there is a lot to know about Big Thunder Mountain! It has a rich backstory!
Ahead of the attraction’s reopening on May 3rd, here are the things you need to know about Big Thunder Mountain:
Barnabas T. Bullion
Background: The eldest son of a powerful mining family, Bullion secured a government land grant for the Western River Valley, including Thunder Mesa and Big Thunder Mountain.
The Mission: Driven by obsession, he founded the Big Thunder Mining Company in 1850, intending to extract every last ounce of gold from the mountain.
Initial Success to Struggle: While gold was plentiful at first, it eventually became scarce, forcing miners to dig deeper into the red rock.
The Mountain Fights Back: As drilling intensified, the mountain reacted with supernatural pushback, including equipment failures, mysterious cave-ins, and ominous rumbles of thunder.
Current State: The operation has largely crumbled due to these “protective forces.” While most miners have fled and no major veins have been found in months, gold is still visible to those brave enough to ride the mine trains.
S.E.A. Connection: Bullion is a key member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). This group was established in the early 1500s to conduct research to advance navigation and exploration. It grew to become an organization of world travelers who searched for knowledge, adventure, art, and precious cultural artifacts. Other members include Lord Henry Mystic, Harrison Hightower III, and Dr. Albert Falls.
Tumbleweed
The Golden Age: Tumbleweed was once the “beating heart” of the region, a flourishing boomtown built on the success of the Big Thunder mines. It featured a saloon, jail, boarding house, and company store.
The Decline: As the gold dried up and the mines fell silent, the town dwindled. A combination of financial hardship and a relentless drought turned the bustling streets into a “lifeless” desert town.
A New Hope: To combat the drought, the town has placed its bets on Professor Cumulus Isobar, a self-proclaimed “Rainmaker Extraordinaire.”
Mixed Results: While Isobar’s arrival brought optimism, his “miracles” often result in flash floods because the parched ground cannot absorb the sudden rain.
The Reputation: Whether he is a genuine scholar or a clever showman, Isobar represents the town’s desperate last gamble to return to its former glory.
Big Thunder Mining Offices
The Atmosphere: Set in the late 1800s, the mountain is plagued by supernatural “mischievous spirits,” frequent cave-ins, and eerie whispering messages.
The Main Mystery: The most alarming phenomenon is that the mine trains have begun running driverless, racing along the tracks with no human at the controls.
Key Artifacts & Decor:
- The famous “No Drinking, No Fighting, No Whistling, No Kidding” rule sign.
- A blown-open safe and the original land grant signed by President James K. Polk.
- A “slightly sinister” portrait of Barnabas T. Bullion, the company’s founder.
Mining Infrastructure: The path leads you through the Foreman’s Post (overseen by G. Willikers), the Fusing Cage, blasting machines, and ventilation services.
The Boarding Area: You descend from the second-level offices into a large open shaft filled with flickering lanterns and bustling railway workers to board the train.
The Trains: Several different open-air trains can be ridden on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They include “U.B. Bold,” “U.R. Daring,” “U.R. Courageous,” “I.M. Brave,” “I.B. Hearty,” and “I.M. Fearless.”
When Big Thunder Mountain reopens at Walt Disney World Resort on May 3rd, guests will again be racing through the mountain. There will be new effects that are included in this experience and maybe even a few surprises! In the coming days, Daps Magic will share information about some of the other iterations of this attraction. Are you excited about the return of Big Thunder Mountain to the Magic Kingdom? What do you like most about it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
