Hold on to your hats and glasses:

 The wildest ride in the wilderness is back!!!!!

 Almost 35 years ago the abandoned mines of Big Thunder Mountain opened, inviting Guests on a spirited journey through "the wildest ride in the wilderness." After being closed for a major refurbishment over the past 14 months, the runaway mine train attractionis now back on track (a brand new one!!) to the delight of Guests and Cast alike.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad first opened in 1979, so it was time for a major rebuild with all-new track, trains,lighting, audio and show elements that needed upgrading. The town of Rainbow Ridge, a Frontierland staple dating back to the 1956 Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction, was completely rebuilt with the original blueprints and artifacts.

The attraction officially reopened to guests on March 17, Cast Members had an opportunity to ride during a test-and-adjust period in late February and early March.

 The refurbishment project- a partnership between the Disneyland Resort Facility Asset Management team and Walt Disney Imagineering- required 46 months of planning and coordination to replace a half-mile of track, miles of electrical wire and tens of thousands of square feet of rockwork. The project included the expansion of the two unloading areas- as well as a new exit ramp that has greatly improved accessibility for Guests with disabilities. The expansion has reduced congestion on the platforms to improve efficiency while Guests are exiting the vehicles.

 There are new surprises on the attraction, too. We can't reveal what happens when Guests reach the dynamite, but let's just say they are guaranteed to have a blast!!!!!!



DID YOU KNOW?

1...The original Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction (later called Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland) transported Guests around Frontierland from 1956 to 1977.

2...Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was named after one of the two waterfalls found in the original Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction,"Big Thunder" and "Little Thunder."

3...Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and its unique "hoodoos" inspired the look of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

4...More than 230 tons of gold ore were trucked to Disneyland from Silver Queen Mine in the Mojave Dessert.

5...A century-old stamp mill and other mining gear placed throughout the attraction were sourced from abondoned mines in Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota and Wyoming.

6...The sounds of big thunder trains were mixed into the mine chase sequence in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."




Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Legend of Big Thunder!!!!!

 Whispers of a supernatural force deep within Big Thunder Mountain were soon forgotten when a prospector discovered gold on its slopes in the late 1860s. The Big Thunder Mountain Mining Company staked its claim,but as prospectors began to dig deeper into the mountain's core with the help of dynamite and explosives, a strange force was awakened. Miners began hearing ghostly sounds and equipment mysteriously failed. When trains began rolling into the station with no human hand at the control, miners soon left in droves.

 Big Thunder Mountain Mining remains in operation with only a few daring souls left. However, those brave enough to board a driver-less mine train may find more than gold in the mountain- they'll discover the wildest ride in the wildness.



sounds like fun to me...Dr Lee