Big Thunder Mountain mild or wild

[clsteve]

My then 7 and then 9 year old loved it. The oldest is not a rollercoaster fan, but this is one of his favorite rides at any Park, anywhere. It's mild but great fun and wonderfully themed. Be prepared for them wanting to go again....

 

[hookedonears]

Big Thunder Mt. is a great ride. It's fast enough to be fun, and like all other Disney roller coasters, it doesn't have the big drops that many people don't like. It also isn't a rough ride where you feel beat up when you get off like many at Six Flags. Disney designs its rides for the entire family. If your kids are tall enough, they'll love it. Don't get me wrong, it's a fast ride that turns in sharp circles. I'm vulnerable to motion sickness, though have never had a problem with BTM.

 

[AmyB2006]

5,7,and will turn 9 year old at the end of this month.

I took my kids when they were 4 and 6, and they loved it. If they like rides like that, then they'll be fine. IF they are scared of things like that, well, you might have a different outcome.

 

[MandiC]

Mild but fun even for rollercoaster lovers
Our 7 year old *loved* Big Thunder Mountain, but hated Expedition Everest and Rockin Rollercoaster.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Its average. For more wild I go for Everest and Space Mountain. I can't do Rockin Roller Coaster because that's too wild for me. But I do enjoy Big Thunder.

 

[Sparkly]

I love BTMR, however, sitting in the back or front rows I kept getting unexpected airtime. Makes it quite scary at 11pm at night on your own!

 

[ImagineerTHAT]

It's not that bad. It's a medium level coaster by Disney standards. Ive taken people with motion sickness that didn't like it though.

 

[kaybird]

Like most forward motion coasters, it is milder in the front, and a little rougher in the back. All my kids loved this at all ages!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I love BTMR, however, sitting in the back or front rows I kept getting unexpected airtime. Makes it quite scary at 11pm at night on your own!

Indeed. BTMR becomes a totally different beast at night...much more "thrilling". If you can time it during the fireworks it's all the more magical. But only try it at night after they have ridden it in the daytime, of course.

 

[JanaDee]

It also depends on where you sit in the train. I find sitting in the very front to be quite boring, as you don't get much of the flying sensation due to braking.

We prefer to sit in the last car or 2, to get more of the whip effect. But my kids are older (12 and 17) so they prefer it a bit wilder.

 

[kittyab]

Before our trip, I played youtubes of the rides for my DD. She decided before we even went what rides she wanted to be on, etc.

 

[MickeyChix]

That's a great idea to go on you tube and look at the rides!! We did that as well. Your 9 year old might even line Space Mountain if he/she is ok in the dark. It's not pitch black but it is dark and you can't see the track really well. My 8 year old at the time loved it and I hate rides in the dark but this one I could tolerate because of all the lit up stars. This ride is very smooth and it's fun because there are all these medium sized dips and curves.

 

[nemodeb]

uhm that sounds promising. May have to add this one to the list. Is there alot of fun things to look at on this ride? One thing about Disney rides I find unbeatable is the themes and detail of the rides.

It rolls like a runaway mine train on "rickety" tracks. There is a lot of scenery, and in places you're not really going too fast to see it. There are three relatively short hill climbs followed by jerky twists and a couple mild "whoop-de-dos" that sometimes get my stomach (mildly). I don't do big coasters (yep, coaster whimp), but I can do BTM, even a few times in a row. It's not too high or too fast for me. If you sit in the front or middle, to me the intensity is less than sitting in the back. At night is a different thrill too!
Let your kids watch it a bit and make the call.

 

[DebbieB]

My then 70 year old mother rode it. She wasn't a dare devil, she rode Space Mountain once about 10 years before and said never again.

 

[TillyMarigold]

My sister and I both hate rollercoasters and BTMRR is one of our favorite rides at WDW. My sister even loved it at 9. I'd say it's a good first "real" coaster for someone who likes kiddie coasters.

For the record, I think BTMRR is more intense than Space Mountain, but most people disagree with me. I haven't ridden Barnstormer (or Primeval Whirl).

 

[Totoro]

My DS at six loved it at first when we rode it during the day. He has always loved the Goofy Barnstormer. He will ride Prime Evil Whirl and likes it.

I think our mistake was riding Thunder Mountain at night. We did that once and he won't go near Thunder Mountain.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds12 is very afraid of rides and doesn't do coasters, anything high, etc but BTMRR is one of his favorite rides at WDW.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Big Thunder is arguably the best ride at Disney (along with Splash Mountain, Peter Pan, Expedition Everest and a few others). Our kids love that ride and you certainly shoud try it. It is MUCH tamer than the true thrill rides at places like Six Flags. The theming on the ride is great.

 

[horse11]

Thanks to all who have posted. We are convinced. It has made our FP+ list. thanks again!!! Now if I could just get them to do Splash Mountain or what ever that rides is next to it LOL!!!!

 

[Networth]

You'll have a blast. I would do your best to get them on Splash(Yes thats the one next to Big Thunder). Its a very long ride that is probably one of the best themed in Disney. Great themed sets, memorable music, it really is a Disney classic. The drop is over very quick and with the new lap bars you don't even get much "airtime" sadly, but in your case that could be a plus.