How scary is Big Thunder Mountain?

[leafE]

I was a bit of a wimp when I was 12 and first rode BTM, and was a bit nervous getting into the car. But I ended up loving and riding it three times that day.
It doesn't go very high, and there are no lunch-losing drops. And the scenery is wonderful.

 

[kappyfamily]

My DH hates roller coasters and usually sticks to holding down the park benches while I go on rides, however BTMR he wants to do everytime..... I say Go for it. Try it once, and if you hate it you never have to go again!

 

[letsgoreds]

It is also a great first ride with little ones...just one big bench, so you can snug them tight to you : )

 

[RedfromNL]

Never been on a roller coaster, scared of heights, is this doable?

So am I and this one is just about what I can handle. Didn't see much the first few tries though... didn't have my eyes open until the fourth time

So yes, it's do-able.

 

[POB14]

Thunder is the only coaster I've ever done. Well, I did Barnstormer too, and I think Barnstormer is much worse.

If I can do it, you can do it.

 

[Sheaboys]

Thunder is the only coaster I've ever done. Well, I did Barnstormer too, and I think Barnstormer is much worse.

If I can do it, you can do it.

According to a CM Barnstormer is faster than BTMRR. Because of how short the ride is. Where as, BTMRR, is a long train. It is more of a cork screw ride, not a hilly ride, goes in circles to come down the height, not a drop.

My 3yr old LOVED it!

 

[Missymouse18]

Not scary at all. Very fun, though!! This is DH's favorite MK ride.

 

[Art 1]

Never been on a roller coaster, scared of heights, is this doable?

Very doable.

 

[sammons70]

I do like coasters, but dislike BTMRR. The reason for me is the jerkiness of the ride, and I always feel I am going to hit my head when the train goes through a cave or tunnel.

 

[tekoa]

It's great fun. Not that fast or high up. Try it you'll like it!

 

[Peachkins]

I went on BTMRR for the first time when I was 7 or 8 years old. I was extremely picky then and even years afterward about what I would ride. You couldn't get me near anything that had a hill, so most coasters were out. I was practically crying while we were in line for this, but my parents made me get on it anyway. I'm so glad they did because it was one of my favorite rides of the trip. To this day I LOVE it!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Big Thunder is not scary at all. It's not very high or very fast. It is what I would call a kid's roller coaster. Disney doesn't really have any real roller coasters except RnR and EE. So you are pretty safe riding almost every ride at Disney.

The first time I rode BTMRR it was raining out and I had on a poncho and I was trying to hold my poncho on around my face so I was not holding on very well and it seemed faster to me than what it really was.

The second time I rode it was after the refurb and it wasn't raining outside and it was not near as exciting as I remembered it in the rain that day.

If you are afraid of heights then you probably want to skip Expedition Everest at AK because it goes up kind of high.

Rock N Roller coaster is indoors in a dark building and doesn't go high it just corkscrews you twice, but is one of Disney's best rides. I would try to summon up the courage to try RnR at HS next time you get a chance. It's not going to hurt you. You aren't going to be hurt or die from it. That's what I tell my DS12 when he is scared to try a ride and he will usually finally try it just to shut me up.

 

[PrincessMe]

I'm a big-time ride chicken and Big Thunder Mountain is easily tied for favorite ride. Riding it always makes me feel super brave and accomplished especially on the trips where I take my hands off the bar. Exhilarated rather than terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought. For a first ride, ask to sit near the front. The train won't release until the last car crests the hills so you won't go quite as fast.

 

[dutchdisneyfamily]

I've ridden it 3 times. I am a complete ride whimp. It has no heights to speak of, it's just very jerky. That's the part of the ride I don't like. However, the theming is amazing and if I can talk myself into keeping my eyes open more, I tend to enjoy it more. Every time I get off it I say I won't ride it again. However, I fully intend to ride it on my next trip!

 

[twodogs]

If you get dizzy on spinning rides, will BTMR make you dizzy? Thanks!

 

[PrincessMe]

If you get dizzy on spinning rides, will BTMR make you dizzy? Thanks!

No. It gets a bit jerky but there is no spinning. Just a fast train ride through the desert.....

 

[twodogs]

No. It gets a bit jerky but there is no spinning. Just a fast train ride through the desert.....

Thank you!

 

[aubriee]

If you get dizzy on spinning rides, will BTMR make you dizzy? Thanks!

No. My mom is not a big ride person and gets motion sickness very easily. Even she enjoyed Big Thunder Mountain (and she was in her mid-late 70's). If she can ride it, anyone can. That's the only coaster she'll do at WDW.

 

[EagleScout]

Never been on a roller coaster, scared of heights, is this doable?

You will probably be okay, but a few quick hints that work for every coaster to minimize likelihood of motion sickness - first and foremost, yell out on every descent, which equalizes inner ear pressure. Second avoid the very front of coaster, b/c the most SCARY - even on small hills there is a weird psychological chill from peering over edge and having no cars/people in front of you. Third, if possible, avoid the very last few cars b/c the most jerky- but this is less true for coasters that are ultimately not that fast (like btmr), and for most, the jerkiness is just jerky, not nausea inducing.

 

[JohnstonMandy]

My four year old LOVED it and wanted to go again. I almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard at her squeals of excitement. LOL