Big Thunder Mountain
On Big Thunder Mountain, you embark on a wild ride through an abandoned mine in the Wild West, more precisely in Thunder Mesa.
Frontierland at Disneyland Park is all about the Wild West and the gold rush, so of course, there has to be a gold mine.
In the middle of the river that flows through the tranquil town of Thunder Mesa stands an imposing rock formation – Big Thunder Mountain. The rock formation rising out of the water is strongly reminiscent of Monument Valley on the border between the US states of Utah and Arizona, as well as nearby Bryce Canyon. Incidentally, in the original version of Big Thunder Mountain, which was conceived by legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter for Disneyland in Anaheim, Bryce Canyon was even more of an inspiration. Gradually, from version to version, the inspiration shifted a little more towards Monument Valley.
Beware of the thunderbird
The background story of Big Thunder Mountain is closely linked to the story of the mining town of Thunder Mesa.
With the help of a miniature mining railway, the valuable mineral resources are transported from the island to the town. At least, that's the plan. Because Big Thunder Mountain is protected by the Native American god of thunder, the thunderbird. This powerful creature protects the mountain and the Native Americans from the gold diggers who invade the region and want to exploit it. The thunderbird's role is not just to scare off intruders, but also to maintain the balance of nature and protect the sacred land. Anyone who tries to steal from the mountain will incur the wrath of the thunderbird. To scare off the intruder, the bird flaps its wings wildly, causing the earth to shake, a terrible rumbling to sound and lightning to flash from the sky. This is precisely what happened in 1860, when the Thunder Mesa Mining Company was struck by the wrath of the thunderbird.
Henry Ravenswood and his wife were killed in the terrible earthquake that followed. For safety reasons, the gold mine was closed. The mining company sought its fortune elsewhere, and miners and gold diggers gradually followed suit. Thus, peace gradually returned to the tranquil town of Thunder Mesa.
Today, only the bravest adventurers dare to venture into the Big Thunder Mountains, because according to legend, there are still hidden treasures there. These treasures are said to be the lost riches of the Thunder Mesa Mining Company, which was abandoned when the mine was closed. However, the thunderbird still watches over them, and when it notices intruders, the earth trembles and shakes again, and the mine shaft threatens to collapse. With luck, you will manage to escape back to safety, and perhaps even with a piece of the lost treasure.
This is the story that this roller coaster at Disneyland Paris takes you on.
The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
Embark on the wildest ride in the wilderness, where a sophisticated construction takes you in a mine car under the water to the island and back again, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
Once you arrive on the island, you'll be immersed in the fascinating world of mining – gold veins, explosions, collapsing tunnels, and lots of tools to discover. However, beware, the rapid ride leaves you little time to take in the surroundings in all their diversity.
As you journey along the tracks, you'll be surrounded by tons of authentic mining equipment, from simple chisels to giant anvils. Most of these exhibits are original pieces that have been painstakingly collected from 16 US states, a testament to the ride's historical authenticity.
The ride also offers a magnificent view of the stately Phantom Manor estate and the small western town of Thunder Mesa.
