How Long Is the Wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
At Disneyland, the line averages 35 minutes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The line is shortest around 8am, averaging 15 minutes, and longest around 2pm at 40 minutes. That is drawn from the past 12 months of recorded waits, so you can pick a window without buying Lightning Lane.
Average wait by time of day
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Average wait by day of week
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Average wait by month
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Key insight: The clearest pattern: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is shortest around 8am (averaging 15 minutes) and longest around 2pm (40 minutes). Day of week matters too: Thu averages 32 minutes while Sat averages 38 minutes, a 6-minute difference. Across months, Sep tends to be the quietest, with an average closer to 23 minutes.
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What is the best time to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is usually shortest around 8am (about 15 minutes) and longest around 2pm (about 40 minutes). Riding in the first hour after opening or late in the evening gives the shortest waits.
What is the average wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad averages about 35 minutes at Disneyland, across every recorded wait while the ride was operating.
What day of the week has the shortest line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
Thursday typically has the shortest line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (around 32 minutes), while Saturday is the busiest (around 38 minutes).
Do I need Lightning Lane to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
No. By riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during its quietest hours and on a lower-crowd day, most guests can keep the wait short without paying for Lightning Lane.
