Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was a work-in-progress when this photograph was taken in 1979. According to author and Imagineer Jason Surrell in his book The Disney Mountains, "At two and a half acres, the attraction was a full twenty-five percent larger than the Disneyland adaptation." He adds, "At 197 feet (and change) tall, Big Thunder became the tallest 'mountain' in Florida, a record that hasn't been broken, even by the mighty Mount Everest."
Nice photo and story along with it; however, the facts are incorrect. Expedition Everest IS in fact the tallest "mountain" in Disney World at 199' 6", and the Tower of Terror is 199' tall, both taller than Big Thunder Mountain.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point. I checked "The Disney Mountains" again and Surrell apparently contradicts himself later in the book when discussing Everest:
ReplyDelete"The height of the completed range would be just under 200 feet, making it the tallest "mountain" in Florida, wresting that title from Big Thunder Mountain."
I've looked and studied BTMRR at the Magic Kingdom since reading that book, and I'm convinced it is significantly shorter than 197 feet. If it is close to half that height, I wouldn't be surprised. Riders on Big Thunder don't have anywhere close to the view they get on the highest point of Everest. The actual ride track heights don't necessarily correspond to the height of the rock work, but they both attain a significant portion of the overall height. One report I read claimed that Disneyland's version is about 100 feet at the tallest point; is WDW's that much taller?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have photos (or even noticed) BTMR's track spur that leads across the train tracks to the maintenance shed? I just noticed that for the first time during a ride on the train at WDW last month.
ReplyDeleteThey are measuring Big Thunder Mountain from sea level. You have to remember the Magic Kingdom is actually a few stories about sea level already because of the Utilidors
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