Question about Big Thunder Mnt. Railroad

[tinkfan2005]

Just how fast is this ride? My 5 yo son wants to ride it. He likes trains, so I think he's expecting a train ride. Is this something that little one's like? Just wondering how much of a "thrill ride" this one is.

 

[a_hobden]

I think it has a max speed of 28mph but I could be wrong. I dont think it's a bad ride atal in terms of "thrill" rides It all depends on what you think your son could take. hope this helps

 

[Feralpeg]

I find it to be very jerky. I don't ride it because it bothers my back. It goes fast enough that you feel your are being lifted from your seat.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

This is NOT a kiddie train ride! It's very fast, through lots of curves, twists and turns. Supposidly your in a runaway mine car through the mine shaft. The keywords here are runaway car. He may not be tall enough anyway. It does have height restrictions like a roller coaster. To me it is a coaster, but does't go upside down.
There is a steam engine train ride around the perimeter of MK with 4 stops. Also the TTA in tomarrowland at rocket tower plaza has a slow moving tram ride above the area in tomarrowland and is great for younger kids.
Both of these are great for little kids.
Hope this helps.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[cruisnfamily]

Plenty of 5yo's love it but a tamer alternative would be Goofy's barnstormer in toontown.

 

[KK Cat]

Goofy's barnstormer tamer??? I don't know, I was in my 30s and found it worse than Big Thunder Mountain (which I didn't mind). For me it was because Barnstormer is "up in the air" so to speak, that is you can see down, whereas Big Thunder Mountain (like Splash) has "ground" underneath it and for some reason doesn't seem as bad at all. Go figure!!

 

[katallo]

I find it to be very jerky. I don't ride it because it bothers my back. It goes fast enough that you feel your are being lifted from your seat.

I agree. The one thing I don't like about it is the noise and jerkiness. I've been on it twice and each time I've had a terrible headache.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

i think the barnstormer feels faster.

the only thing id worry about with BTMR is the jerky stop at the end. man that'll send you flying! but its my favorite mountain... i really dont think its that bad. Personally ilike the jerkiness, which is why i think its my favorite. A little bit of a rough ride just adds to the excitement!

 

[bengalbelle]

I would recommend trying Goofy's Barnstormer first. As far as a kiddie coaster goes it is fast and somewhat jerky, but it's over very quickly if he doesn't like it. If he loves Goofy's Barnstormer, he'd probably be OK on Big Thunder.

My DS met the height requirement at 3 so your DS should be OK there.

 

[jenr812]

I've been to WDW once in my life (1991) when I was 17 and reading this thread reminded me of the jerkiness of this ride. I'd forgotten all about it. I do remember it to be quite jerky and it hurt my back a bit, but I am looking forward to riding it again, with my 11 yo and 6 yo

 

[rt2dz]

While a train, definetely not a "train" ride. It is a rollercoaster. That said, it is the only thrill ride my mother would ever ride and my son loved it at 3.5. Watch it a few times, and then make the decision whether or not to allow him on. Other train rides suggested to you are great options for an actual train ride.

 

[Miranda Danda]

I LOVE this ride and I have ridden it since I was 3 or 4 years old. I was a VERY scared child and this didn't scare me a bit. I absolutely love this ride. It's kind of fast, but in a fun way. It feels like a train that went crazy and zoomed away on it's own. I rode Thunder Mountain Railroad 14 times in a row once... and I wanted to go back for more! If he likes trains, he will love it! No drops or upside downs.... just fast turns and curves. Have fun!

 

[ktink]

Goofy's barnstormer tamer??? I don't know, I was in my 30s and found it worse than Big Thunder Mountain (which I didn't mind). For me it was because Barnstormer is "up in the air" so to speak, that is you can see down, whereas Big Thunder Mountain (like Splash) has "ground" underneath it and for some reason doesn't seem as bad at all. Go figure!!

ITA. Goofy's barnstormer kind of scared me to be a child's ride. But my 3yo was tall enough to ride BTM and she loved it. It was her favorite ride.

 

[tar heel]

My two older sons each took their first WDW trip when they were 5, and both considered it to be their favorite thing there. That being said, my third child thought it looked scary and refused to ride it his first trip -- he was 4 but very close to 5. It was his favorite ride the next trip, when he was almost 6. It's a roller coaster, but a fairly tame one with no big drops, loops, etc. The seats are wide, too -- big enough for mom, dad and a small child in the middle. Have a great time!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Anyone been to Six Flags Over Texas? I was wondering if BTMR was kind of close to the Runaway Mine Train here. When I went in 97 I chickened out because I couldn't see enough of it!!
And, if it is like the Mine Train, maybe that means the Barnstormer is like the Mini Mine Train??

 

[DonnaDuck]

BTMR was my 5 year olds 1st coaster. He got to ride it on our trip in November. He also loves trains. I was worried that he would be scared but his Dad and I rode it with him (we put him in the middle). I will never forget the look on his face. He LOVED it!! In fact, it is the only thing that he talks about. At one point during the ride, he started singing...he was so happy! It is kinda jerky, but I think us riding with him helped a lot. I am sure your 5 year old will like it!!

 

[dismom9761]

I just got back yesterday and we loved Btmtr. My friends 3 yr old rode it 3 times and my very timid 6 yr old loved it.

 

[Stitchfans]

I screamed through the entire ride, but then again, I am a big baby about roller coaster. My family talked me into it and I think I broke their eardrums. LOL

 

[DJT]

BTMRR is the only "coaster" I will ride. I love it. I laugh all the way through the ride. It's so much fun. I rode the Barnstormer once and I didn't like it at all. I'll never ride it again.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

My three year old daughter(always been tall for her age) rode the BTMR when she was three as well and loved it. I also have to agree that for me the Goofy Barnstormer made me feel alot more queesy.