Copyright (c)1996 Kenneth Nabbe.

Permission is hereby granted to distribute this document freely in whole or in excerpts provided this copyright statement is included and the text is unaltered.

Questions:

1. What is the height requirement for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (BTM)?
2. What is a switch-off and how is it performed?
3. Exactly what is BTM based on?
4. How fast does the train travel?
5. When are the best times to ride BTM?
6. When did BTM open? Isn't there an anniversary soon?
7. What are the differences between BTM at the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland?
8. Where is the Hidden Mickey on BTM?
9. So exactly when are the trains supposed to leave the station?
10. What are the names of all the show scenes at BTM?
11. What are the train names?
12. Who is the voice of the "Old Man"?
13. What are those neat height certificates all about and where can I get one?
14. When I ride BTM early in the morning or late at night, I hear "Main Side Open" over the PA. What does it mean?
15. Which line moves faster... the left or right?
16. How do the trains move?
17. Where can I buy those nifty BTM boots?
18. Sometimes I see Cast Members with hats and vests, and other times without. What gives?
19. Are there two tracks on BTM?

1. What is the height requirement for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
Due to the nature of the attraction, BTM has a height requirement. After careful study of the ride cars the height requirement was determined to be set at forty (40) inches. This is measured by a Cast Member at the entrance, through the use of a height sign. Many rules at the Walt Disney World Resort are flexible... this one is not. The requirement is created for your child's safety, and no other reason.

2. What is a switch-off and how is it performed?
Due to the fact that not everyone can ride BTM because of the height requirement, the switch-off was created. Here one part of the party waits in line, while the rest of the party waits in the exit area. When the part of the party that waited in line, waits in the line, rides the attraction, and exits; they then watch the small child while the part that waited then can ride the attraction without waiting in line a second time. This allows all the party that can ride to ride in a timely matter.

3. Exactly what is BTM based on?
BTM is not based on any one particular film or production of the Walt Disney Company. The only connection that can be made, is with the Mine Train attraction that operated at Disneyland from 1956-77.

4. How fast does the train travel?
The average speed of the train around the track is 23 mph, with a top speed of 35 mph, through the Spiral Butte. If the train travels too slow/fast through an area it will cause the Computer to initiate an Automatic Emergency Stop (AES).

5. When are the best times to ride BTM?
On the basis of show and show only, the best time to ride BTM would be anytime after sunset. The actual attraction takes on a totally different feel at night.

If you want to ride the attraction with the shortest wait and least chance of breakdown, you need to ride on Tuesday morning as soon as the park opens. There are fewer guests in the park and the ride is manned by the most experienced operating crew.

6. When did BTM open? Isn't there an anniversary soon?
The first guest was carried on BTM on September 30, 1980. BTM's official opening date is October 1, 1980 and has a Grand Opening date of November 22, 1980. This year celebrates BTM's 15th year.

7. What are differences between BTM at the Magic Kingdom (MK) and Disneyland (DL)?
There are only four (4) major differences. First is the actual direction the trains run. At the MK the trains run in a counter-clockwise direction, while at DL they run clockwise. Second is the time the attraction takes. At the MK it is a 3* minute trip, while at DL it is a 2* minute trip. Third is the lack of a flash flood scene at DL. Lastly is the position of the stations. At the MK the station is located below the actual line. So guests walk down into the station. At DL the station is positioned above the line, and guests walk up to it.

8. Where is the Hidden Mickey at BTM?
Contrary to popular belief there is only one Hidden Mickey at BTM. It is located in the show scene known as the Avalanche. The Hidden Mickey can only be seen while the work and egress lights are on, so it cannot be seen during normal attraction operation.

9. So exactly when are the trains supposed to leave the station?
The actual time that trains leave the station varies with the number of trains running on the attraction. The only thing that is constant is the "Old Man's" spiel. When the "Old Man" says, "...hats and glasses." The train should be leaving the station.

10. What are the names of all the show scenes at BTM?
The show scenes are as follows:
+ Batcave
+ Grotto
+ Robber's Cave
+ Flash Flood
+ Davie Jone's Mine
+ Big Horn Sheep
+ Spiral Butte
+ Big Thunder Mining Company
+ Abandoned Mine
+ Avalanche
+ Show Effect Doors
+ River Trestle
+ Snow Shed
+ Dinosaur Bones
+ Sulfur Pools
11. What are the train names?
U.R. Courageous
I.M. Brave
I.M. Bold
U.R. Fearless
I.B. Hearty
U.R. Daring

12. Who is the voice of the "Old Man"?
The voice of the "Old Man" (the voice heard at BTM) is famed Disney voice-over artist Jack Wagner.

13. What are those neat height certificates all about and where can I get one?
The height certificates are given out to children who do not meet the minimum height requirement. This allows them to redeem the certificate at a later date when they reach the height requirement, and allows them to go to the front of the line. A neat idea designed by a number of hourly cast members, myself being one of them. The certificate was created with Print Shop Deluxe.

14. When I ride BTM early in the morning or late at night, I hear "Main Side Open" over the PA. What does it mean?
In the slow periods of operation, the attraction only runs out of one station. This is the spur side station. If the train leaves the spur side station too late the tower operator will open the main side. When the tower operator performs this action he/she must inform the station operators by announcing it over the PA.

15. Which line moves faster... the left or right?
Due to the fact that the wheelchair guests are loaded into the spur side station, the right side line moves much slower than the left.

16. How do the trains move?
There are three ways in which the trains are moved. Primarily the trains move due to gravity. The second way is by lift chains that lift the trains up the three lifts. The last way is through the use of Linear Induction Motors (LIM). This the same technology that powers the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (The WEDway Peoplemover for all us old timers). The LIMs push an aluminum fin located underneath the ride cars. This is primarily used in the station areas.

17. Where can I buy those nifty BTM boots?
The boots are a Disney exclusive. They are bought from a vendor for DL and WDW only. They are not available outside of the park.

18. Sometimes I see Cast Members with hats and vests, and other times without. What gives?
The vests and hats may be removed for the summer option costume. Normally this is from May till October.

19. Are there two tracks at BTM?
There is only one track, but there are two stations. The tracks meet just outside the stations.