I'm always happy for an excuse to visit the Mine Train again. Today's photo shows one of the trains as it circles around Cascade Peak;
If ya never gone beneath a waterall before, then get set! 'Cause we're comin' up on Big Thunder. The biggest falls in all these here parts. Ya don't have to worry though... unless the wind changes! Anyone who was lucky enough to ride this attraction can probably remember the sound of the falls, and the cool spray on a hot summer's day.
Back at Rainbow Ridge, we can enjoy a look at some of the little buildings. Several of them (the saloon and barber shop, for instance) had recorded loops that guests could hear as they passed, enhancing the idea that this wasn't just a well preserved ghost town.
"Recorded loops?!" You mean, there weren't really people living there?
ReplyDeleteHa ha, maybe they just wanted us to THINK that they were recorded loops....
ReplyDeleteI hear that barber shop was a real clip joint.
ReplyDeleteI actually loved the waterfalls for mine train much better than jungle cruise. Even though it's basically the same "back side of water" joke, the visuals were much more powerful.
Unfortunately, with Jungle Cruise, the Schweitzer Falls are just a rock ledge. Here, we get a whole mountain.
I remember riding this several times yet I remember very little about it :-(
ReplyDeleteThere are still some small sections of the Mine Train in existence. The water area directly across from Thunder Mountain that has the cave was from the Mine Train. The large rock formations that frame the entrance to Thunder Ranch are from the original Mine Train. The Mine Train was an attraction that Walt Disney himself was heavily involved with when it was built. It is too bad it is gone today.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I rode the Mine Train was in 1975. I didn't go to Disneyland again until 1981 and it had already been replaced in 1979 by Thunder Mountain.
Katella, I still think the Jungle Cruise version is good!
ReplyDeleteConnie, it's been so long that my own memories are pretty foggy...
OC Native, I think I last rode it when in the early 70's; we moved to the east coast for a few years, and by the time we came back the Mine Train only had about a year to go. I'm almost certain I didn't go to the park until after the ride was closed.
Always up for mine train pics Major, this was one of the best old rides.
ReplyDeleteI remember really enjoying thunder mountain and it took a few rides to realize what i had lost.
hope you had a good holiday.
love a sunny day at Disneyland. these are primo!
ReplyDeleteOf all the rides I miss, this is the one I miss the most.
ReplyDeleteI've tried describing it to my wife and kids, and my wife actually saw Cascade Peak before it was artificially eroded to ground level, but it's not the same. Especially when I'm telling the story...
From a former operator's perspective, it is interesting to review the notes from all of you. This was a joy to run and to be a part of the show considering that the operator was responsible for the timing of the train and some of the animation as well as the narrative which we triggered via a botton at each scene. And yes, those falls were refreshing on hot summer days.
ReplyDeleteOo! Love 'em.
ReplyDeleteCute house, up on the ridge, complete with a line of clothes strung from a tree.
Anon: how wonderfully "hands-on" it was. :)
Two stunning photos, thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHa, I was just looking at my pics from the last trip, I have some nice shots of Rainbow Ridge from the queue which is now below-grade.
ReplyDeleteSay what we wish about the revision, they did include some creative theming and 3-D interest. I just wish they were more sympathetic to the old ride out away from the load area.