Big Thunder Mountain Changes

[NemoRanger]

I have an argument with a friend of mine over this ride. I seem to remember that when I was a kid back in the 80's I remember that at the end when the train passes under the bones passing the geysers that it actually splashed through the water.

Am I just imagining something that never was? The geyser area looks like it should or did have a lot more water in it.

My friends all say that I am wrong and that the trains never splashed through the water. I have been told that its cant be done and its dangerous. However, I know the Matterhorn in DLR used to splash through some water.

[CujoSR]

The Matterhorn uses the water at the end as a brake. Of course that is one car, with a max of 4 people. As for Thunder, I've never known it to actually go through the water. I figure it's a wear and tear issue they learned on Matterhorn. I couldnt imagine the costs if they had to replace rusted parts on a whole train regularly (compared to that of a single car).

[frankw123]

WDW Thunder never had a water splash brake system like they have at the Materhorn. I think they have something like that on BTM at Disneyland. But WDW, no, never.

As for the fountain, there was a time when the was a guyser that shot up .

[Zazu]

You're *not* losing your mind. While the train never made contact with the surface of the water, there used to be a geyser effect that made it seem that it had. This was turned off quite some years ago, and in one of the rehabs the pipes were removed so that the water level could be lowered, reducing corrosion of the tracks (and dealing with some pesky leaks in the system).

[NemoRanger]

WDW Thunder never had a water splash brake system like they have at the Materhorn. I think they have something like that on BTM at Disneyland. But WDW, no, never.

As for the fountain, there was a time when the was a guyser that shot up .

AHHH that explains it. I am sure I am just remembering the geyser shooting up. Thank you.

I know it makes for easier maintenance but I hate it when Disney takes stuff away for easier maintenance.

[DonutGoddess]

Last time I went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at MK the wind was blowing pretty bad and I got hit in the face with a geyser spurt.

[avengador1]

I think the only geyser that is stil working at WDW is located at the Fort Wilderness lodge. I was there the other day.

[Shorty82]

I think the only geyser that is stil working at WDW is located at the Fort Wilderness lodge. I was there the other day.

Last time I went on the Safari, a few weeks ago, I noticed they had fixed the geysers on there. I also noticed they finally "fixed" the rickety bridge, it rocks and shakes like it's supposed to again.

[CycloneMan]

^Not so fast kiddies! One of the geysers at the exit of BTM was turned back on on Thanksgiving, and has still been pumping the last few days! ;)



Also, the geysers at the end of the ride are still there and working.

[Mr. D.]

I thought there was a part when the train goes by the hillbilly house where it dipped down and kinda touched the water some?