15 can’t-miss attractions at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad takes Magic Kingdom guests on a wild ride in a runaway train through an abandoned gold mine in Frontierland. Magic Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)

Big Thunder Mountain

A classic Walt Disney World attraction is Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park. The wild train ride brings guests into the wild west of Frontierland to speed through caverns and caves looking for gold.

The attraction starts off with guest going through the queue that is themed to tell the story of the workers who worked in the mines. Throughout the queue, there are interactive elements including small hand crank movies and dynamite to push down on. Guests will also see some of the trains flying by as they wait to build the anticipation of the attraction.

Once on the attraction, you’re going to want to hang on to your hats and glasses as you go around tight turns, go down steep hills, and through the caverns of the old mines. For a truly wild experience, be sure to sit in the back of the ride car. For a more mild experience, sit in the front, especially if you are taking a small child or don’t want to be tossed around as much.

This experience is best for families and those looking for moderate thrills. It’s also suggested that guests get a FastPass+ reservation since this is one of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom Park. If you cannot get a FastPass+ reservation, the best times to ride are first thing in the morning, during the afternoon parade, or during the nighttime fireworks show. There are great views of Big Thunder Mountain from Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, which could help you determine if this is a good ride for everyone in your group.