ATTRACTION GUIDE
·Disneyland Park · Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain
The best windows to ride Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Park, based on 90 days of data.
TL;DR
If you only get one shot at Disneyland Park, ride Big Thunder Mountain at rope drop, ideally 11 PM – 12 PM, for about 9 min. Coming back at 12 PM nearly doubles the time you lose in line.
Current wait time
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Fact sheet
- Attraction type
- Roller coaster
- Ride duration
- 3 min 56 s
- Minimum height
- 102 cm
- Top speed
- 65 km/h
- Drop height
- 12 m
- Opened
- 1992
- Single rider line
- Yes
Facts from public sources: official Disneyland Paris website, Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Observation data: 90-day window
01When is the best time to ride Big Thunder Mountain?
The best window for Big Thunder Mountain is 11 PM, with around 9 min wait. The park has just opened and most guests rush to the headliners closest to the entrance, leaving Frontierland relatively empty. Use that 11 PM – 12 PM slot to ride before the crowd shifts.
02When does Big Thunder Mountain hit its peak?
The peak at Big Thunder Mountain hits 12 PM, with a 58 min wait. That's when guests who entered at opening loop back through Frontierland after their first ride elsewhere, creating a funnel effect. Use that 12 PM – 1 PM block for lunch or a show instead.
03Is there a day to avoid for Big Thunder Mountain?
Plenty of guests assume every day at Disneyland Park is the same. Not true. For Big Thunder Mountain, a Sunday costs you 41 min in line, while a Thursday demands 46. Across ten attractions, that gap adds up to hours.
04What makes the wait at Big Thunder Mountain swing so much?
Four factors really move the wait at Big Thunder Mountain: school holidays (French, UK and Belgian calendars), weather, overall park attendance, and seasonal events like Halloween or Christmas. Disney's daily Premier Access price is also an excellent leading indicator of how busy the day will be.
05How reliable is Big Thunder Mountain?
Worth flagging: with 78 % availability, Big Thunder Mountain closes mid-day fairly often. That's not a reason to skip it, but don't save it for your last hour. A neighboring ride in Frontierland makes a perfectly fine spare tire.
06What is the minimum height for Big Thunder Mountain?
The minimum height required to ride Big Thunder Mountain is 102 cm.
07How long does Big Thunder Mountain last?
A ride on Big Thunder Mountain lasts about 3 min 56 s.
08How fast does Big Thunder Mountain go?
Big Thunder Mountain reaches a top speed of about 65 km/h.
Hour by hour
90 days
Big Thunder Mountain
8 AM – 11 PM| Hour | Wait | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 8 AM | 11min | Calm |
| 9 AM | 27min | Medium |
| 10 AM | 45min | Busy |
| 11 AM | 50min | Packed |
| 12 PM | 58min | Packed |
| 1 PM | 56min | Packed |
| 2 PM | 55min | Packed |
| 3 PM | 54min | Packed |
| 4 PM | 52min | Packed |
| 5 PM | 50min | Packed |
| 6 PM | 47min | Busy |
| 7 PM | 41min | Busy |
| 8 PM | 37min | Medium |
| 9 PM | 33min | Medium |
| 10 PM | 19min | Calm |
| 11 PM | 9min | Calm |
Levels relative to the day's peak. Data from a 90-day window.
Enjoy your visit to Disneyland Park, and have a great ride on Big Thunder Mountain. If these tips trimmed even ten minutes off your line, that's already a win.