A Mom and The Mouse, Featured, Kristin Ford — By Kristin Ford on April 6, 2010 at 12:05 am
This view from Submarine Rock in Sedona's famous red rocks looks at Capitol Butte, which is now better known as Thunder Mountain because it was said to inspire Walt Disney to create Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. (Kristin Ford/Orlando Sentinel)
On a jeep tour of Sedona’s red rocks during the weekend, the tour guide told our group that Walt Disney owned a house in the area in the 1940s and 50s. From his place on Disney Lane, he supposedly first viewed the rock formation Capitol Butte, which helped inspire him to build Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Capitol Butte now is better known as Thunder Mountain in this area.
The Southwest-themed attraction first opened at Disneyland in 1979, with the Magic Kingdom’s larger version in Florida opening in 1980. While his time in Sedona may have jump-started Disney’s plan for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the actual rock formations for the ride are based on the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah.
Imagineers say care was taken to make it appear that the rocks were in place first — with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad track built around the rocks — unlike earlier mine-themed rides. The action of this ride takes place in the sagging, old tunnels of the mountain.
In addition to the gorgeous backdrop of the red rocks, Disney’s love of trains also came into play with this attraction. His fascination began when, as a teen, Disney had a summer job selling newspapers and concessions on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, thanks to his uncle, a steam locomotive engineer. He later built a 1/8th-scale miniature railroad, named Carolwood Pacific Railroad, in his backyard for his daughters and their friends to ride.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad showcases the beauty of the Southwest in a fairly tame roller coaster. After seeing the red rocks up close, I’ll be looking more at the scenery than the tracks the next time I ride.
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