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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom
Photo: AmaryllisGardener · CC BY-SA 4.0
Magic Kingdom · Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Wait Times & Best Time to Ride

A runaway mine-train coaster racing through red-rock canyons, caverns, and a flooded mining town. Billed as the wildest ride in the wilderness, it is a crowd favorite with moderate thrills.

Right now Park closed
Typical wait 38 min
Peak seen 70 min
Quietest hour 10 PM

Quick facts

Land
Frontierland
Height
40 in (102 cm)
Lightning Lane
Yes
Opened
1980
Ride time
About 3.5 minutes
Thrill
Moderate thrill

Best time to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Typical standby wait by hour. The quietest hour is marked in gold (10 PM); the wait usually peaks around 5 PM.

29 9AM
34 10AM
36 11AM
42 12PM
43 1PM
41 2PM
48 3PM
42 4PM
49 5PM
40 6PM
35 7PM
38 8PM
27 9PM
26 10PM

Pro tip: ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the first hour after rope drop or in the last hour before Magic Kingdom closes. If you would rather not wait at all, Lightning Lane lets you skip the standby line.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FAQ

What is the best time to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad typically has its shortest waits around 10 PM and its longest around 5 PM. Riding right at rope drop is your best bet.
How long is the wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
The standby wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad runs about 38 minutes on a typical day and climbs near 70 minutes at its busiest.
Is there a height requirement for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
Yes. Riders must be at least 40 in (102 cm) tall to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Does Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have Lightning Lane?
Yes. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad offers Lightning Lane, so you can pay to skip the standby line if you would rather not wait.

More at Magic Kingdom

Live wait board All rides ranked Best times to ride Crowd calendar

Rope Drop News · unofficial, not affiliated with Disney.