The Big Thunder Mine

At the heart of the Thunder Mesa story (and literally in the center of Frontierland at Disneyland Paris) is the Big Thunder Mining Co. The fortunes of the town, and specifically the mine's owner Henry Ravenswood, were built on the discovery of a vein of gold under Big Thunder Mountain. Everything was fine, as long as the mining work stuck close to shore. When miners dug tunnels under the river, though, to get to Big Thunder itself, they were met with one calamity after another... culminating in the great earthquake of 1860.

Following the quake and Ravenswood's untimely death, the mine was deserted. Some believe the mine to be cursed, owing to the Native American legend of a Thunderbird that beats its wings and causes the earth to tremble whenever its riches are disturbed.

The rocky buttes and mesas of Big Thunder Mountain in Paris, just like those in the other Disney Parks, owe their inspiration to the landmarks of Monument Valley, Utah (Big Thunder at Disneyland is styled somewhat differently, after the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon).

The entrance to the attraction here is also quite similar, complete with the lift tower over the mine shaft.

Once you board your runaway train, though, things take a very different turn. Heading out of the station, the train twists right and travels rapidly beneath the river to emerge on the other side. The return trip is even more thrilling, as your train rockets back through the tunnel to escape an avalanche.

All along the way are loads of genuine antique railroad and mining equipment, gathered from across the country by the Imagineering team who built the attraction. After dressing the sets of three other Big Thunder Mountain Railroads, you'd think all the period mining equipment in the country would have already been found and used, but you'd be wrong. In fact, they discovered some fairly unique pieces for the French version of the attraction.

I especially appreciate unique items, like these scales re-purposed as frames for attraction warning signs or the gorgeous steam tractor, which Frontierland lead designer Pat Burke discovered on a Missouri farm.

Of course, I'm also a sucker for fully integrated storytelling, and Frontierland at Disneyland Paris has that in spades. There are big connections, like the owner of the Big Thunder Mine being a key player in the story of Phantom Manor, and then there are the more subtle ties.

The sign above, posted near a tool workshop area at Big Thunder, refers people to "see Lavinia at Rose's." If you saw this, you might not think anything of it... at least not until you explore more of neighboring Frontierland. There you'll find Rose's Blacksmith Shop, operated by none other than Lavinia Rose, who inherited the business from her father Jedediah.

Along the Rivers of the Far West

A trip down the Rivers of the Far West aboard the Mark Twain or Molly Brown erases any sense of being in the French countryside, effectively transporting you to the American frontier of 150 years ago. The steamships navigate a path counterclockwise around the buttes and outcroppings of Big Thunder Mountain, affording views not available by any other means.

Along the way, you're likely to spot native wildlife, both living and extinct. These dinosaur bones are found among the salt-encrusted geysers at the river's eastern shore. Elsewhere, a family of moose have come down to the river to graze.

There's the occasional settler in these parts, too, like Ol' Joe. Joe and his dog live alone in this small cabin by the river, just fishing and rocking the day away. His is a peaceful existence. The same probably can't be said, though, for the group who made camp around the bend. From the looks of things, they may have fallen victim to river pirates.

Some of the most beautiful sights along the river are those created by Mother Nature herself (with a little help from Disney's Imagineers). Just take a look at this natural arch bridge. The wind, rain and river have worn away at the rock, revealing layers of history in the sediment. A closer view of these rock formations also uncovers petroglyphs, left by ancient people who lived in this area, perhaps even before the river ran this way. Of course, the petroglyphs are easier to see from the deck of a keelboat, which can actually pass beneath the arch.

Of course, a trip on the Rivers of the Far West also provides an opportunity for long, lingering looks at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. In other Disney Parks, this attraction can only be seen from select angles (or flashing by from the seat of a runaway train). Here at Disneyland Paris, though, Big Thunder may be viewed from 360 degrees.

From this perspective, you can really appreciate the detail that went into creating the attraction. Here are just two glimpses for you: An entrance to the Big Thunder Mine where blasting is underway and a riverside processing area where ore can be loaded onto ships for transport.

Check back tomorrow, and I'll have even more for you from the Big Thunder Mining Co.

The Town of Thunder Mesa

Within the protective boundaries of Fort Comstock lies the town of Thunder Mesa, a community which owes its very existence to the discovery of a vein of gold in nearby Big Thunder Mountain back in 1849. The town grew up around the mine, and although the mine was abandoned after the great quake of 1860, the citizens of Thunder Mesa continue to thrive.

A stroll along the "dirt" roads and wooden sidewalks of the town reveals a healthy variety of business enterprises, from a general store and frontier outfitter to a "modern" portrait studio promising "likenesses twice as natural as life."

The Land Agents office would be the place to go to see about available farmland for sale or to negotiate the mineral rights for a piece of property, especially if you're lucky enough to find gold, silver or copper on your land, as many folks have here in Thunder Mesa.

Of course, along with wealth and prosperity, Thunder Mesa has also attracted its share of hucksters and snake oil salesmen. A billboard for the Thunder Mesa Apothecary promotes a "miraculous" hair renewer, while across town a medicine man has pulled up his wagon. Doc Wassell seems to guarantee "miracle cures for all ailments." About the only true guarantee, though, is that he'll be long gone once you realize you've been swindled.

Doc Wassell certainly knows where the money is. After all, he's parked his wagon in the wealthiest stretch of town, right outside the Silver Spur Steakhouse. The Silver Spur is one of the largest establishments in Thunder Mesa, featuring a handsomely appointed dining room decorated with genuine, limited-edition western sculptures by Frederic Remington.

Nearby and no less prominent is the Lucky Nugget Saloon. Patterned on the Golden Horseshoe Saloon at Disneyland, but with a more warmly-colored interior, the Lucky Nugget gets its name from the saloon in Disney's 1967 movie, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, a story set during the California Gold Rush.

According to the story of Thunder Mesa, a lady by the name of Diamond Lil charmed her way into a tour of the Big Thunder mine, during which she happened upon an enormous nugget of solid gold. Today, Lil is the proprietor of the Lucky Nugget Saloon, and the lucky gold nugget itself is proudly displayed just inside the entrance.

Not everyone who struck it rich in Thunder Mesa has been quite as lucky as Diamond Lil, particularly the town's founding family. Industrialist Henry Ravenswood, who started the Thunder Mesa Mining Co. which essentially built the town, poured his riches into a stately Victorian mansion on a hill at the bend in the river. The mansion and its grounds were a gift to his wife, Martha, and their lovely daughter, Melanie. None of the Ravenswoods have been seen, however, since the 1860 earthquake, and residents of the town have taken to calling the now-dilapidated house on the hill Phantom Manor... but that's a story for another day.

A brief postscript: Several names are used throughout Main Street and Frontierland at Disneyland Paris, the sources of which have mostly been lost to time. Examples in this article alone include Doc Wassell, James Collins and Ulman & Snerly. Very likely, they refer to real people - either Imagineers or historical figures - but we may never know. Of course, if anyone reading this does happen to know, I invite you to share with the rest of us by leaving a comment below.

Frontierland Past

The Big Thunder Trail that wanders between Fantasyland and Frontierland is not only the place to find Big Thunder Ranch, it's a bit of a walk through Disneyland history. All around you are indications of elements from the park's past, from the surreys and buggies mentioned in yesterday's article to this Wanted poster for Alameda Slim from Disney's Home on the Range, left over from 2004, when the ranch was temporarily renamed "Little Patch of Heaven" to promote the film.

What most guests probably don't realize is that Big Thunder Trail also passes straight through the territory that was once Nature's Wonderland, the precursor to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The area was first traversed by Stagecoaches, Pack Mules and Conestoga Wagons, all of which were joined by the Mine Train in 1956 and operated until 1977 when Big Thunder was built.

Elements of the original attraction layout can still be found, though. Back along the trail is this natural arch, once part of the Living Desert scene. This and several other segments of Nature's Wonderland were directly inspired by Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures film series.

This boarded up tunnel and section of track once carried train passengers out toward the river and Cascade Peak. Two of the waterfalls on Cascade Peak (since removed) were named Big Thunder and Little Thunder, the origin of the name used for the whole area later on.

After passing the Rivers of America and Cascade Peak, the trains would then emerge from the tunnel below and cross a trestle bridge over Bear Country. It was here that a group of black bears could be found scratching their backs on the trees and grabbing for fish in the stream.

Part of the town of Rainbow Ridge has been preserved, too. The collection of buildings seen from the Big Thunder Mountain queue and along the final stretch of the ride was once found at the debarkation point for all the modes of transportation through Nature's Wonderland. This was also where you could sometimes spot Sheriff Lucky in hot pursuit of the nefarious Black Bart.

The sedate charms of Nature's Wonderland may have long ago been replaced by the thrills of runaway mine trains on Big Thunder Mountain, but close observers can still pick out some of the remnants of the past.

For a detailed look at Nature's Wonderland, be sure to check out this article over at the imagineeringdisney.com blog.

Down at the Big Thunder Mine

Way out west in Californy was the final destination of many pioneers, especially during the rush for gold in the 1840s and 50s. One of the largest claims was struck here in the desert, at the base of what the native people called Big Thunder Mountain. The landscape here was harsh and dry, with buttes and mesas reminiscent of those found in Monument Valley, Utah.

The Big Thunder Mine was built to tap into the rich vein of gold running under the mountain. The winch and pulley tower over the mine shaft, the sluice channels, ore cars and other equipment used in the mine can still be found here today. There are even some of the explosives once used to blast open the mountain.

This particular stack of dynamite is still attached to a timing device, ready to go off at any second!

Of course, the discovery of gold in Big Thunder was a boon to the tiny town of Tumbleweed. The population had dwindled during a long drought, and those who remained were getting desperate. They had heard about the riches in the mountain and about the ancient Indian legend that warned against disturbing it. The miners didn't listen, though, and they would end up paying the price.

The mountain rumbled with an earthquake and resulting avalanche. Storm clouds gathered. Lightning struck, and coyotes howled.

In an attempt to return the land to its once-fertile state, the townsfolk had turned to a purported "rain maker," one Professor Cumulus Isobar. When the floods came, the shyster initially took credit, but soon found that even he was overwhelmed by the deluge. (Note: When I went out recently to take the above photo, the good professor was out on sabbatical. Normally, he can be seen bailing water off the back porch of his wagon.)

Of course, some of the remaining residents of Tumbleweed have taken even this turn of events in stride. Cousin Orville's riding the waves in his bathtub, and the party in the Gold Dust Saloon continues. It's just moved up to the second floor! (Ride the attraction at night, and you can see the revelers through those upstairs windows.)

And what of the miners who ventured down into the heart of Big Thunder? Well, they were never heard from again. The old trains keep running, though, with not a soul at the controls. At least, not one anyone can see. Folks say the mine is haunted. Would you dare to venture down and see for yourself?

Rockin' Big Thunder

In November 1980, TV and film star John Davidson (The Happiest Millionaire; The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band) presided over opening ceremonies for the next thrilling addition to the Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

For two years, Walt Disney World Guests watched the mountain growing on the western shore of the Rivers of America in Frontierland. Inspired by the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley in Utah, Big Thunder's rockwork slowly took form as "cages" of shaped rebar and chicken wire were affixed to a steel superstructure. The cages were covered in cement and sculpted into the familiar forms we know today. Imagineering Character Paint Artists then worked from the top down, giving the mountain its realistic look.

Covering nearly 2 1/2 acres, the rockwork for Big Thunder was carefully designed to create the impression that railroad track had been laid down to conform to an existing landscape, as opposed to a phony landscape having been built up around a roller coaster ride. The following image provides an excellent overview of the site. Look closely, and you can even see rockwork in every stage of the process, from superstructure to cages to cement to primer and finished paint. (All photos are ©Disney, of course, except one. Can you guess which one?)

Today, Big Thunder Mountain rises 197 feet 6 inches (above sea level, that is... the main spire actually only reaches about 100 feet from the ground). The attraction closes for refurbishment periodically for regular maintenance and to get repainted. Take a look at the difference between the photos above and below.

The Florida sun works overtime to fade those colors. To compensate, every time the mountain is painted, it's done about six months "hot," meaning the initial coloring is a bit more vibrant than intended. This way, it can go a while longer before needing another coat.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the true masterpieces of Imagineering. For all the development, construction and artistry involved in its creation, Big Thunder's Guests find themselves immersed in a completely believable natural environment, spirited away on a Gold Rush adventure aboard a runaway train.

The "wildest ride in the wilderness" also happens to be a personal favorite. Maybe it has something to do with the time I spent working down in that mine a couple decades back...