Heading to Big Thunder Mtn at RD - take the train or walk?

[ejdmomma]

We're doing a single day at the MK during spring break and I'm trying to organize our day. We have FP for PP, 7DMT and space mtn later in the day. I'm thinking we'll tackle BTM & SM first. Planning to arrive at rope drope (no EMH that day). I thought I'd save us some walking by talking the train to Frontierland. I'm just worried we won't make it on the first train and I don't want to stand around waiting on the next to arrive.

Experiences taking the train first thing in the morning? Or should we just walk?

 

[DJFan88]

It will be interesting to see what people who have taken the train have done, but personally I'd go out of my head thinking I could be moving to get there quickly instead of waiting for someone else to get me there. We go in busy August and we go fast there and usually manage to ride it twice before the place is too long.

 

[wisblue]

I would just walk unless your party has physical limitations that make walking difficult. I have never tried to take the train first thing, but since they usually let people into the park about 15 minutes before a 9 AM opening there might not be a train for 15 minutes. In the meantime, you can walk toward Adventureland and be well on your way to the mountains.

 

[AFwifelife]

I would walk.

 

[Spork24]

Walk, the train is not notoriously quick to start up in the morning. The train they use for the opening show has to be removed from service.(it allows riders to get off on either side)

It doesn't take that long, but I would guess walker will beat the train by a good 5 to 15 min based on walking speed.

 

[Alesia]

Walk. You could already be there by the time the train will start moving.

 

[Farps]

 

[katt789]

The train station is roped off right after rope drop thanks to the welcome show, it's faster to walk anyways

 

[PSUGuy]

We walk in, actually we like to hop on the horse trolley, but we do ride the train out after a morning at MK. Thing is, this Oct marks the 3rd consecutive year the f&^($#g train is undergoing rehab during our Oct trip.

Bill From PA

 

[beesly]

Speaking of rehab, when is the OP's spring break? If it falls on/after April 4, BTMRR will be under refurb with a projected reopening date in July.

 

[ejdmomma]

I would just walk unless your party has physical limitations that make walking difficult. I have never tried to take the train first thing, but since they usually let people into the park about 15 minutes before a 9 AM opening there might not be a train for 15 minutes. In the meantime, you can walk toward Adventureland and be well on your way to the mountains.

No limitations and we're fast walkers! Good point about letting people in 15 minutes early.

 

[G719]

We walk in, actually we like to hop on the horse trolley, but we do ride the train out after a morning at MK. Thing is, this Oct marks the 3rd consecutive year the f&^($#g train is undergoing rehab during our Oct trip.

Bill From PA

What are the dates? I googled but can't find it mentioned online anywhere. We like the train and it's been closed our last 2 trips.

 

[ejdmomma]

Walk, the train is not notoriously quick to start up in the morning. The train they use for the opening show has to be removed from service.(it allows riders to get off on either side)

It doesn't take that long, but I would guess walker will beat the train by a good 5 to 15 min based on walking speed.

Good point - I wasn't thinking about them having to "clear" the morning show before starting up the regular train routes.

 

[ejdmomma]

The train station is roped off right after rope drop thanks to the welcome show, it's faster to walk anyways

I forgot about the welcome show - will definitely walk!

 

[ejdmomma]

Speaking of rehab, when is the OP's spring break? If it falls on/after April 4, BTMRR will be under refurb with a projected reopening date in July.

We'll be there Mar. 29th, so right before the refurb!

 

[ejdmomma]

I gotta say, I'm a little bummed! I had this idyllic vision of us hopping on the first train and leisurely enjoying the scenery on the way to Frontierland. I know...we can still do this but I'd be tapping my toe and huffing and puffing while waiting for the train KNOWING we could have walked faster! And that would have basically ruined the morning

Thanks for all the replies!!

 

[DJFan88]

Really not much scenery on that part anyway, mostly trees and a small figures scene, much better enjoyed if you are tired on the other side of the park wanting to get back to front gate to leave.

 

[CMNJ]

We took the train last year and it waited FOREVER to load people-thought the same thing it would be a nice leisurely way to get to frontierland-boy it sure was LEISURELY lol

 

[nilla]

We took the train last year and it waited FOREVER to load people-thought the same thing it would be a nice leisurely way to get to frontierland-boy it sure was LEISURELY lol

Same experience. Much quicker walking!

 

[Robo]