Posted by
Mike and Chris Pettey
Updated on June 15, 2020
Category:
Disney vs. Disney
Tags:
Big Grizzly
Big Thunder
Disney vs. Disney
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a mine-train themed roller coaster that traverses through an “old west” setting. The ride can be found at four of the six Disney Resorts across the globe. A very different take on the attraction, yet still similar in spirit, called Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, is found at Hong Kong Disneyland at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort outside Hong Kong. And yes, even though it is drastically different, we’re going to include this ride in our comparison. We’ve ridden every version in person.
Major Similarities & Differences
You can watch fantastic videos of all versions of the attraction online, so we won’t spend time re-hashing the details of each experience. Instead, we will just point out the major similarities and differences we feel are worth calling out:
- With the exception of the California version, each attraction loads in an indoor station.
- Generally speaking, the Florida and Tokyo versions travel a very similar route, which is roughly a mirror image of the California version. The Paris and Hong Kong versions travel completely unique routes.
- With the exception of the Tokyo version, each attraction takes place in a fictional Western town: Rainbow Ridge (California), Tumbleweed (Florida), Thunder Mesa (Paris), and Grizzly Gulch (Hong Kong). From the queue of the California attraction, there is a sign posted with the names, directions, and actual distances to each of the other fictional towns where the other versions are found.
- With the exception of Hong Kong, each version of the attraction has three lift hills. The first takes place in a cave with stalactites and a waterfall feature at the top of the lift. The second takes place outdoors. The final lift hills of the Florida and Tokyo versions use the original effect of an earthquake and rockslide, which was also found in the California and Paris version, until their updates in the mid 2010’s. These two now feature a dynamite-filled tunnel with explosions and related effects as part of their final lift hill.
- Paris’ version takes place almost entirely on an island – where California, Florida, and Tokyo parks would locate their Tom Sawyer’s Island. The Paris ride loads and unloads from the main land, but dives into tunnels that travel below the water, transporting it to the island and back.
- Tokyo’s version contains a unique ending with a surprise high-speed drop before the dinosaur skeleton.
- A portrait of Barnabus T. Bullion can be found in both the Florida and California versions of the attraction. He is a member of Disney’s fictional Society of Adventurers and Explorers (S.E.A.), a group whose story is intertwined throughout many of Disney’s theme parks and resorts worldwide. The character of Barnabus T. Bullion was modeled after Big Thunder Mountain Railroad creator and Imagineering Legend, Tony Baxter.
- Hong Kong’s ride, completely different from the others, travels on both forward and backward sections, through scenes with several animatronic bears, and intertwines through the town and land of Grizzly Gulch. The ride experience is sometimes loosely compared to the Everest attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
The Rankings (from least favorite to favorite)
The Magic Kingdom version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is definitely our least favorite. And that’s not to say it’s a bad ride. But the age of the coaster can be felt – it’s nowhere near as smooth as it’s California or Hong Kong counterparts. The special effects are in desperate need of an update – using the original avalanche scene means big points are lost. And like many US Disney attractions, you’ll often see effects that are broken, or just haven’t been working for years. On the positive side, like most Magic Kingdom attractions, the queue is fantastic, but that can’t make up for its other shortcomings. It’s a great ride if you haven’t experienced any of the other versions. But if you have, it will leave you wanting.
Even in writing this, it seems strange to rank a Tokyo attraction so low among its peers. Props must always be given to Tokyo’s incredible Cast Members and absolutely infectious guest enthusiasm. But those things aside, Westernland just isn’t fleshed out like the rest of the Frontierlands across the globe. And the ride, while up to Tokyo caliber as far as maintenance is concerned, is still using the dated original earthquake effects. Aside from that surprise drop at the very end (and it’s a good one!) it just doesn’t have that “wow” factor that sets it apart, especially considering the layout is almost identical to the Florida version. Tokyo does so many things so much better than the other Disney resorts. Big Thunder Mountain just isn’t one of them.
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The original incarnation of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would possibly be at or near the bottom of the list if it weren’t for the absolutely fantastic 2013 renovation that saw the entire track replaced with a smooth-as-glass experience, and, among other enhancements, an incredible dynamite explosion finale that is leaps and bounds ahead of the original earthquake scene. Like many attractions found at Walt’s original park, BTMR at Disneyland is crammed into an incredibly tight space, but somehow manages to feel roughly the same size as its counterparts in Florida and Tokyo. An extra bonus point for the outdoor loading area – the only one in the world – due to the nearly perfect year round California weather. We’re also big fans of rides that travel in, near, or through eating areas (think Blue Bayou), and the pass-by of Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante is great.
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The most unique of the Disney “mine train” coasters – and you could argue whether it even belongs on this list – comes in at a strong second place on our rankings. It’s got all the boxes checked for a fantastic experience: fun animatronics, a super-smooth ride, incredible, immersive theming, a “surprise” backward section, and it is all intertwined over, around, and through Grizzly Gulch. It’s an amazing, incredible one-of-a-kind experience, and a testament to what Imagineering can still do with the right budget and the freedom to explore new concepts and ideas. The only place this ride slips – and it’s very minor – it’s just a bit too tame. Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars really could have benefitted from a large drop or a bit faster/wilder ride. As it stands, it’s a great attraction, and a perfect experience for even very young children, but it doesn’t have the thrill factor that leaves the kind of impression you want from a headliner roller coaster.
It wasn’t hard for us to come to agreement on our winner. Paris’ version of Big Thunder Mountain is perfect in nearly every sense of the word. The Thunder Mesa setting (and backstory) alone is reason enough that this one takes the cake. The location out on the island is brilliant, as is the dark and high-speed journey out, and especially back. Truly, this version lives up to the “wildest ride in the wilderness” moniker – and that return trip back to the station, below the water, approaches a level of intensity not found on many Disney attractions of any kind. The special effects are top notch on this version, with not only animatronics, but several other little surprises that you need to re-ride several times to take in. Finally, the dynamite cave has been perfected here – better than California’s – with the explosion so intense and lengthy, that you might find yourself wondering for a second if you are going to make it out. If there is anything to gripe about with Paris’ version, it’s that this is definitely not the smoothest Big Thunder Mountain out there. But that almost works as an advantage, as it really adds to the experience. Big Thunder Mountain in Paris truly feels like an out of control mine train – exactly as it should – and it is hands down the best version of the attraction in the world.
Written by
Mike and Chris Pettey
YOUR THOUGHTS?
Agree or disagree with our rankings? Have you experienced any of these attractions – either in person, or virtually via the internet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
7 Comments
Completely agree with this ranking. Nice site. Look forward to more!
I also agree
Where’s the merch
Disagree with you so hard, Florida’s version is lightyears better than California’s. California’s is the worst one, by far, and no minor change can up its rank. I would completely swap Florida and California’s, this is just plain wrong.
Interesting take – we can see why one might argue for swapping, but hard to say either one is “lightyears” better than the other. California’s has been fully re-tracked and has upgraded special effects. Curious what your reasons are for liking Florida’s so much better?
Agree that DLP’s version is best. First time riding, was totally caught off guard with the final plunge into darkness. It kept falling further down underground and gaining speed that certainly made it an instant #1 Big Thunder!!!!
No doubt on this one – DLP easily takes the cake for Big Thunder! That finale is what every runaway mine train coaster should feel like!