Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The Write-Up

The full story

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the runaway mine train through the Tumbleweed mining town at Magic Kingdom, wild, rattly and scenic without any big major drops. Reopened after a full refurbishment with fresh track and a new Rainbow Caverns scene, it still rides like the classic guests remember. Guests call it the perfect first time coaster, and regulars swear by riding it during the fireworks.

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Similar Feel

More places with this feel

Matched by vibe, not by neighborhood: the places across Greater Orlando closest in spirit to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Magic Kingdom Park

Parks & outdoors · Disney Area · $$$$

Guests still call the first sight of Cinderella Castle down Main Street pure Disney magic, nostalgic, storybook and joyful.

Disney's Magic Kingdom, 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Fun Spot America

Attractions · International Drive · $$

Old-school midway the mega-parks left behind, family-owned since 1997, with White Lightning's wooden coaster and short lines, guests say.

5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando, FL 32819

Test Track 3.0

Attractions · EPCOT · $$$$

EPCOT's fastest ride, wrapped in a sleek, retro-futuristic story about car design, and guests say the facelift suits it.

EPCOT, 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Universal Epic Universe

Parks & outdoors · Universal · $$$$

Universal's newest park still makes guests reach for the word epic, and the scale backs them up.

1001 Epic Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away

Attractions · Magic Kingdom · $$$$

Magic Kingdom's nighttime parade, dreamy and glowing, and guests call it pure nostalgia and Disney magic.

Magic Kingdom Park, 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Soarin' Across America

Attractions · EPCOT · $$$$

Lifted into a hang glider seat at EPCOT, you fly over the Grand Canyon, New York Harbor and Hawaii and Alaska, wind and signature scents included.

EPCOT, 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Keep Going

More in Disney Area

Other places in Disney Area, Local Picks first, then the closest to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Fogo de Chão, Vineland Pointe Local Pick

Fine dining & steak · Brazilian Steakhouse · $$$

Brazilian churrasco staged tableside at Vineland Pointe, where gaucho chefs carve fire-roasted cuts one slice at a time.

11543 Regency Village Dr, Orlando, FL 32821

Evermore Orlando Resort Local Pick

Hotels · Hotel · $$$

The centerpiece is Evermore Bay, a crystal lagoon with its own beach that leaves guests saying the resort feels like it is out of the country.

1590 Evermore Way, Orlando, FL 32836

Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets Local Pick

Markets & shops · Outlet Mall · $$

Minutes from Disney, a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor outlet village anchored by Prada, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Gucci and Tory Burch.

8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away

Attractions · $$$$

Magic Kingdom's nighttime parade, dreamy and glowing, and guests call it pure nostalgia and Disney magic.

Magic Kingdom Park, 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

The Beak and Barrel

Bars & lounges · $$$$

Magic Kingdom's pirate tavern in Adventureland is theatrical, with an indoor thunderstorm and a Barker Bird working the room.

Magic Kingdom Park, 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Magic Kingdom Park

Parks & outdoors · Park · $$$$

Guests still call the first sight of Cinderella Castle down Main Street pure Disney magic, nostalgic, storybook and joyful.

Disney's Magic Kingdom, 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830