Hooray, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has recently reopened at Disneyland after an extended (14 month) refurbishment. Our long national nightmare has ended! Today's photos are from 1984… 30 years ago! It's funny how I still think of Big Thunder as a relatively new attraction.
Somebody was having "fun with filters" in this first picture… it resembles an iris shot from a silent movie. "Meanwhile, back at the Big Thunder mine…".
Say, that's some pretty swell looking rock work they got there. The little town is still called Rainbow Ridge as a nod to the ride that preceded Big Thunder (I don't have to tell you what that was!). I need to search online and see if the buildings look any different, since my understanding is that many (if not all) of them were in bad shape and needed to be replaced.
The fella don't look like much, but he's the meanest cuss this side of the Rockies. He spits, bites, drinks, fights, gambles, and steals. And he's the town preacher!
Wheee! I can almost feel the g-forces and hear the delighted shrieks. It's nice to have you back, BTMRR!
Again you make me smile Major. This ride is ancient history, but I still think of it as "new".
ReplyDeleteBack in the '80's, people would go on BTMRR just to get that feathered look in their hair.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement, Major & Katela Gate - I have a tendency to think of this attraction as a young-un, yet it will turn 35 on September 2nd. Lookit our little runaway mine train, all grown up!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to compare the last photo with this one taken 11 years later: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/Gorillamydreams/img533.jpg. The only notable differences are the size of the trees and the invisible ghost driving the train now has mutton chops.
When we took our daughter to DL for the first time in 1995, our first ride of the day was the Big Thunder. We sort of "surged" into the park with the crowd and weren't sure where to go first - when saw the red rocks and heard the clackity clackity train sounds...that's where she wanted to go. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteBill in Denver
Katella, maybe it's because we haven't had many other "E-Ticket" rides since then? "Indy" is the only one I can think of, off hand.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, since I had a "Flock of Seagulls" look, I had to turn my head 180 degrees.
Chuck, I definitely thought of your photo when I saw that last one!
Bill in Denver, Big Thunder is a nice "gateway" coaster, it has thrills, but is not too intense. I'm sure many kids ride their first coasters at Disneyland!
Major, The other two "E-Ticket" attractions added since BTMRR would be Star Tours and Splash Mountain. Indiana Jones Adventure was the last one in 1995. Next year will be 20 years since they built a new "E Ticket" attraction in Walt's original park. All it's been now is rehabs and upgrades of existing attractions. But why should they build another big attraction when the park is already extremely popular and overcrowded.
ReplyDeleteMajor, The other two "E-Ticket" attractions added since BTMRR would be Star Tours and Splash Mountain. Indiana Jones Adventure was the last one in 1995. Next year will be 20 years since they built a new "E Ticket" attraction in Walt's original park. All it's been now is rehabs and upgrades of existing attractions. But why should they build another big attraction when the park is already extremely popular and overcrowded.
ReplyDeleteNever miss a ride on Big Thunder Mountain, followed of course by a taco salad at Rancho del Zocalo :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is one ride that I never mind the line for because of the queue, which really makes me feel as tho I am going into a mine. Just plain love it!
"And he's the town preacher!"
ReplyDeleteLOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!
Great post today. Man oh man, 30 years? Sheesh!