How's the BTMRR since the Refurb?

[SweetAlex]

I'd love to hear what you all think about the BTMRR since they refurbished a couple of years ago? Our first trip to Disney, my little DD almost fell out so we only did it once and the whole time I was clinging to her belt (she was tall enough but she's very slight so I swear she was almost flying out the whole time). Needless to say, I wasn't able to enjoy it then and we didn't go back on... for obvious reasons (I kinda like my dd ). Then during our second trip, it was being refurbished. As it was my favorite as a kid, I'm REALLY excited to ride it when we go in December.

Did they change the ride much? Is it better/worse? What's different?

 

[JasonShannon76]

It's better. Smoother and great special effects in the mine and tunnels.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Better! It runs smoother and the special effects are amazing! I won't tell you what's new because it would spoil the fun!

 

[crystal1313]

I agree with the PP. Way smoother and the effects are wonderful! I LOVE it! Even my DH liked it and before the rehab he wasn't a huge fan

 

[figment_jii]

The latest refurb finished up earlier this year and that was the lengthy one that added some major changes to visually how the ride looked. To me, the cars remained roughly the same and I didn't really notice a major change in the smoothness/roughness (not like Matterhorn!). The ride cars still have a single lap bar, so if the two passengers are very different in size, then the smaller person may experience a bumpier ride because they are more likely to lift off the seat during the drops.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Can anyone who's ridden both compare the experience with the recently refurbed MK version?

 

[DisneyBiskit]

I know some people miss the jerkiness of the ride (they think it makes the ride more authentic, I guess). I personally love that it is smoother. Its much easier on my back!

On a funny note, after we rode it a few times (post refurb) I commented to my partner how it seems to go faster at night. The next morning we walked to Big Thunder and it wasnt open yet, so we started talking to a CM. I mentioned how I thought it seemed faster at night and asked if they crank up the speed. He told me no, and that in fact, the ride is faster when it the attraction is first opened in the morning due to fresh oil/grease on the tracks. Just something to make you go "hmmmm..." LOL!

 

[Gisele]

I definitely miss the bumpy ride. It feels odd to me now, because of the smoothness of the ride. Oh please return the former feel of the ride. That smoothness would be nice to a degree on Matterhorn.
The special XF are wonderful.
Can't say I see a difference in the ride cars, not that I can recall if anything. Looks and feels the same to me.
It was a nice surprise the soft opening for APs and others. I was so happy to have had that early opportunity, for my trip was ending just a few days before BTMRR was to fully reopen. I would have been grumpy about missing out.

 

[superlarz]

I love the smooth new ride. The ride vehicles are the same, with the same shared lap bar, but just because it doesn't pull all the way down, your child is not going to fly out.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

The special effects and some added scenery are a nice touch, but personally, I think the ride itself is about the same. Smoother yes, but the twists and turns have not changed much. Still love the ride though!

DisneyBiskit, I too think that BTMR is faster at night, but “hmmmmmm” I have to try riding it first thing in the morning now!

Kriss

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

It is amazing! The ride is so much smoother and the effects are so cool! The cars are still the same, so I don't know if you'll have the same problem. I would think it's better since you're not being jostled as much though. My 10 & 8 year olds rode together without a problem and I rode with my 5 yr old without any issues.

 

[Zbugz]

Definitely smoother with nifty new effects. It also seems slower to me than before, but that could be my imagination.

 

[Gisele]

Definitely smoother with nifty new effects. It also seems slower to me than before, but that could be my imagination.

Actually, I forgot to add that sentiment too. Definitely felt a bit slower. So who knows? Maybe it is just our imagination, or not. Lol

 

[perlster]

"Nifty" yes, "reliable" no. It seems close to 50-50 if you'll see the big explosion.

 

[mesaboy2]

Can anyone who's ridden both compare the experience with the recently refurbed MK version?

I noticed almost no difference with WDW's BTMRR after it's refurb a couple years back. I did not ride DLR's version before its recent one, but I did after. I assume much of what I saw was new, and it was definitely (in my humble opinion) a better ride than WDW's with the (I assume) new effects.

 

[Zbugz]

"Nifty" yes, "reliable" no. It seems close to 50-50 if you'll see the big explosion.

We saw the explosion 7 out of 7 times over the course of 4 days a couple of weeks ago.

 

[mesaboy2]

We saw the explosion 7 out of 7 times over the course of 4 days a couple of weeks ago.

We were 1 for 2.

 

[grnflash]

I love the new effects (and like the smoother ride also.) We were at the parks 4 days last month and rode it over 10 times. Only twice we didn't get the big explosion.

For the big explosion though, not sitting in the front is key. We made it our first ride the first morning we were there and they said we were getting an entire train to ourselves, pick any seat, which my son thought was super cool. Of course he headed to the front row. A CM stopped us and said that actually Row 9 was the coolest row, why don't we try it. Then the CM checking the lap bar said he chose the best seat. We had no idea why at that point. But after riding it that time, then others where we were more forward in the train, it is obvious that the big explosion is much more impressive sitting toward the back. It's like the explosion is shooting out at you, instead of just over you when you are seated more forward.

 

[Blue32]

We were 1 for 2.

We never saw the full effect once in 6 rides. First rides we got some smoke but not all of it. Hopefully they figure out a way to get more consistency itch it.

 

[QueenRuth]

It is much more smooth as others have said.

I think it's worth one try if anything.. I know my husband loves this ride,