Riding the train to get to Big Thunder? Doable?

[JohnDaleswife]

Was wanting to hit up Big Thunder for a few rides very first thing in the mornings, for a few times both of my MK days. Was wondering if we enter MK about 5-10 minutes after the let everyone else in say, 9-9:10 am, would it be better to just walk there, or catch the train and get off at the very first stop at Frontier Land? It will be during a slower time period, first week in February if that matters.

 

[DVCcurious]

I would take the train.

The few times I've done Rope Drop I've been in the very front of the pack and there are typically CM's waiting at walkways from the Hub who "hold back" the crowd just a little. So it's not like you could sprint to Thunder Mountain as soon as the park opens.

In addition, most people will be rushing to Anna and Elsa or 7 Drawfs. The second-tier headliners like Space, Splash, Thunder, Peter Pan, and Enchanted Tales with Belle will get the remainder of the people at RD. Because there are so many second tier rides Thunder should have low wait times through 9:45 or so.

My point is that MAYBE you could get there 3 minutes earlier if you walk vs take the train, but that 3 minutes doesn't matter because you'll walk off the train stop at Frontierland and walk right on Thunder Mountain. It's not like there's going to be a huge rush of people headed for Thunder Mountain right at RD who will all beat the Magic Kingdom train.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Walking will generally beat riding.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Depends. If you catch the train just as its leaving you might be faster but if the train isn't there or just pulling up sometimes that train sits there for 10 minutes. I usually ride the train to have a relaxing ride. Not necessarily to get there faster.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Depends. If you catch the train just as its leaving you might be faster but if the train isn't there or just pulling up sometimes that train sits there for 10 minutes. I usually ride the train to have a relaxing ride. Not necessarily to get there faster.

Ya, the relaxing factor has come to mind. So what time does the very first train leave out?

 

[KaptainK]

We rode the train to BTMM at rope drop back in May. It wasn't faster but it was fun and more relaxing. We did have to wait for the train because you can't ride the first one if they use it in the opening show. The ride was down when we got there anyway but there were very few people back in that area.

 

[Marthasor]

We've done this numerous times and have always beat the walkers. We usually then ride both splash and btmrr at least twice each with very minimal wait