Does Disney Use Canned Guest Sounds on Big Thunder Mountain

Travel

POV video: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Resort

Published on May 23, 2014

I've been to the Disneyland Resort my share of times, but I have yet to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad… until today! I finally hopped on the wildest ride in the wilderness with an upgraded track, restoration of the historic Rainbow Ridge Mining Town, new paint on portions of the mountain and updates to the train vehicles. They've even added a few new additions to the ride that will surprise previous guests. I also got some really fun facts about this beloved ride from a Disney rep!

Fun facts about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland - livingmividaloca.com - #LivingMiVidaLoca.com #Disneyland #Disney

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad facts

Along with the new track, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened in March 2014, with an enhanced audio system that sharpens the sounds heard by guests as they ride through the caverns and buildings. Even the wildlife at Big Thunder can be heard more distinctly.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad celebrated its grand opening in September 1979, becoming the third peak in the Disneyland Park "mountain range of thrill rides." It was preceded by Matterhorn Bobsleds (1959) and Space Mountain (1977) and followed by Splash Mountain (1989).
The attraction's setting evokes 19th century gold-mining territory, with rugged bedrock and desert cactus.
Guests board a mine train for a thrilling, high-speed adventure past the spires and buttes of the old West and into the tunnels and shafts of a dark and mysterious mine.
Since its opening in 1979, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland has carried more than 225 million guests who are warned to "hold onto your hats and glasses" as they prepare to dip and drop into the canyons and caves of the Big Thunder ghost town.
The unusual rock spires of Big Thunder Mountain were inspired by the "hoodoos" of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
The tallest spire on Big Thunder Mountain reaches 104 feet.
Objects that may be spotted by guests in and around Big Thunder Mountain include a century-old stamp mill, hand-driven drill press, gears, picks, shovels and other artifacts acquired from abandoned mines in Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota and Wyoming, as well as museums and swap meets.

Fun facts about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland - livingmividaloca.com - #LivingMiVidaLoca.com #Disneyland #Disney

Subsequent versions of the attraction appeared in Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World, Florida in 1980; Tokyo Disneyland Park in 1987 and Disneyland Paris in 1992.
The miniature town of Big Thunder, seen at the end of the attraction, first appeared in 1956 as part of the Rainbow Cavern Mine Train and Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland attractions.
Did you know: the original name of the miniature town is: Rainbow Ridge. The town is said to have been a favorite of Walt Disney, who built miniatures himself as a hobby.
Other items from the Nature's Wonderland days include the caves of Rainbow Caverns, the rockwork buttes at the entry to Balancing Rock Canyon, and some of the animals – the dynamite-devouring goat, coyotes, possums, snakes, turtles, vultures – who appear among the rocky cliffs surrounding the mine tunnels.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was the first major design project for Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter, whose subsequent projects at Disneyland included the new Fantasyland of 1983, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure.

Find Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Frontierland, Disneyland Park. It's a great family ride, just keep in mind that guests must be 40″ (102 cm) or taller.

Originally published on May 23, 2014. Last Updated on May 20, 2019 by Pattie Cordova

Pattie Cordova

Pattie Cordova is founder of Cordova Media Group, LLC, a boutique social media consulting firm that develops and creates social media strategies for businesses. She manages LivingMiVidaLoca.com. In her spare time (what little there is LOL) she enjoys working out, hanging out with her family (two chiclets and a Hubster) and traveling.