Thanks to every one for your ratings, especially the E's.
I always try to return all ratings and if...
Thanks to every one for your ratings, especially the E's.
I always try to return all ratings and if I promise an E and don't get back to you feel free to give me a poke.
Sue
Member since:30.05.2009
Reviews:396
Members who trust:97
BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN
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Our first visit to Disneyland Paris was for the New Year 2001, my son was five (almost six) and was so excited.
Even then he was obsessed with roller coasters and he had not stopped looking on the Disneyland website at Big Thunder Mountain - he couldn't wait to go on it. We knew he was tall enough for the ride so he wasn't going to be disappointed.
I'll never forget the first day we walked through those gates at the entrance to Disneylad, it was - as they say - pure magic - we stepped into Main Street, USA - some of the first through the gates that day - and there were Minnie and Micky Mouse sat in an old American car.
But we had no time to waste looking around Main Street as Jack had researched the park well and knew the way we had to go to get to Frontierland ( the home of Big Thunder Mountain) quickly.
As we walked into the Wild West of the USA there, dominating the area, was the 200ft tall red 'rock' island that housed the 'Thunder Mesa Mining Company', and the Big Thunder Mountain ride.
Our party for the holiday consisted of my husband and I, Jack and his twelve year old sister. Faced with the prospect of entering 'Thunder Mesa' my husband and
daughter 'wimped out', there was no large queue so Jack and I ran on.
We zig zagged our way through the 'corroded and dilapidated ' ( Disney style) buildings holding all the old mining gear and made our way up and then down fairly quickly to the station as one train pulled out from one of the tracks. Jack and I were guided to a place to stand along side the other track and our train came in to stop for us to get in - we did.
Our carriage was two seats away from the engine of the 'Runaway Train', so at the least dramatic place to sit for the ride.
A red lantern hanging from the 'mine' roof went out and the train gradually begins to roll into darkness, a little hand grabbed mine. Within seconds the pace grew more and more rapid as we were lurched into the darkness of the tunnel. That - dear reader - is when Jack began to cry and didn't stop until he came off!! On the other hand I adored it, as did my daughter and husband when I eventually dragged them on although we had to take it in shifts with one person looking after Jack as we didn't get him on the ride again that holiday or for two more after. You will be pleased to know that it is now one of his favourite rides at Disneyland having been several times since!!
JUST WHAT IS THE RIDE LIKE ?
Ruddy wonderful that's what!! I've been on every ride there and,yes, there are a lot faster and more stomach churning rides; I love - for example the Aerosmith ride, Indiana Jones and Space Mountain - but NOTHING compares to the pleasure I get from riding good old BTM, I always come off the ride with a HUGE smile plastered on my face.
Let's see if I can describe it to you.
Frontierland basically is a large lake with paddles steamerssailing round the - oh so realistic - mountain that supposedly houses the old mine. The other buildings and attractions in a Wild West theme surround it.
There is not a lot of the ride to be seen from outside the mountain, but every few minutes a train will shoot into view and seemingly shot into the lake.
The lake is in itself very attractive, with all sorts of little scenes around it, I would say you probably have to visit a couple of times before you have seen everything and then there's a chance that you've missed something!!
The queues can be long and you may need to use the Fast Track service (more details to follow) and it starts outside in front of the station building.
If you do have to queue for long you at least get the opportunity to take in all the remarkable details that have been put into the mine to make it look authentic in true Disney style. After a while the queue does split into two - as there are two tracks running all the time on the ride.
As soon as you start walking down a ramp you know your time is nearly there and that you are actually entering the station itself, the two tracks running on either side of the central platform.
The 'Runaway Train' consists of an engine followed by 10 cars that can hold up to three people, the only restraint is one loose-fitting lap bar per car - it is not that dangerous a ride.
A red lantern hands fom the roof - when this goes ou it signals the start of the journey - which starts very gradually and then lurches you into a black tunnel - the clatters and screams are a bit deafening as you come to a halt as the start of a lift.
This lift is inside the mine and realistic looking 'stalactites' hang down to similiar 'stalagmites 'below. The journey up the lift is slow and gives you time to take in the views, you pass the waterfall and then you come out into daylight. You are now on the island in the middle of the lake.
You now travel at speed around the mountain and eventually you are at the front of the mountain where you suddenly dive down and over a precarious looking bridge.
Down again you go, and get a spray of water in your face, then a sharp left turn takes you to the start of another lift. The lift again is slow but it gives you time to take in the scene of a goat attacking some washing on a line. Before long you are hurtling down and round again.
The next mine entrance you go in warns of TNT. As you go up the final lift, the 'TNT' 'explodes' and a rock fall threatens to fall on the train.
You have reached the summit of Big Thunder Mountain, but not for long as you quickly dive into darkness as you travel back under the lake. Looking down from the darkness glowing bats eyes wink at you before you are swiftly hurled back into daylight and your ride is over.
And I bet the first thing you say is "Shall we go again?" !!
FAST TRACK TICKETS
Depending on the time of year the queues can be well over an hour for this ride, but Disney have made provisions for this.
By the most popular rides in the Resort there are special machines - the 'Fast Track' ticket machines. There are times over the machine which tell you what toimes your Fast Track tickets cover, you enter your park tickets intothe machine and it is returned with a Fsat Track ticket that has a time slot on it. There are special entrances for guests with thesee tickets so that they do not have to wait as long.
IN CONCLUSION
You may have guessed that I like this ride!!
I have been on it both day and night - both worth trying and also in a snow storm. It really is a no miss ride when visiting the Resort.
If you are going, have fun, and have a ride on BTM for me!!!
Summary: In my humble opinion the best ride there - I love it!!!!!
Pictures of Big Thunder Mountain Disneyland, Paris
Jun 22nd, 2009
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