The Island Coaster

The title of today's post may suggest some tropical attraction, but no, I was just being cute with describing Disneyland Paris' Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  It's the best Big Thunder of all the parks, and it's the only one that receives its own island on which to run all over.  The loading station is actually on the mainland, along Thunder Mesa, but most of the action takes place on the island surrounded by the Rivers of the Far West.  The runaway mine train certainly is the wildest ride in the wilderness, even here in France.  And it's a gorgeous one too!

Big Thunder Mountain is in the middle of an island in Paris.

A train crests one of the three lift hills on the ride.

A zippy turnaround swings by the water at an angle that offers a quick glimpse of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The station is a crowded affair.

The best Big Thunder ride is also one of the Disneyland Paris' most popular.