Disneyland Paris: Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast Review
Disneyland Paris
From the 19th of June to the 23rd of June I enjoyed the thrill of Disneyland Paris for a second time. Disneyland is one of those places where you can really relax and have a great time, and that’s exactly what I did. Visiting at off-peak season has its advantages, most queue were under 30 minutes and the characters were a lot easier to get a photo with!
Today, I’m going to be reviewing Big Thunder Mountain, a wild west themed mine train and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast Review a newer ride themed around Toy Story 2.
Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain is a mine themed roller coaster set in Frontierland, the queue is set around the small mining town of Thunder Mesa. The story tells of the the gold discovered at Big Thunder Mountain and how the town immediately grew in size. Unknown to the travelers, the mountain was cursed and they’re desecration caused a great tragedy, a flash flood. The town was soon abandoned but legend tells that the mine carts still whizzed round the mountain, empty. The ride dares you to take a ride on these possessed trains and discover Big Thunder Mountain for yourself.
The station is themed as a abandoned work offices from the 1890’s where visitors board their empty mine carts and plunge into the cold dark tunnel which takes you under the lake in Frontierland. After a short run, you arrive at the first lift hill which carries you under a plunging waterfall, mind you don’t get wet! The ride from this point does get rather repetitive, you leave the lift hill and wizz down several helixes and drops before noisily pulling into some breaks and up the next lift hill. The two main parts of the ride after the tunnel are the splashdown which although short is very effective, the train quickly plunges down to the lake where water jets spray upwards before the train quickly travels onwards. While on dry land the splashdown can be viewed by Boot hill and gives a great photo opportunity.
The second part which plays a big part of the on-ride experience is the last indoor lift hill where you enter a caving in tunnel, the house above you suddenly catches fire and the train starts to rock from side to side. This part of the ride is very effective although the train never seems in any rush to escape the collapsing tunnel which seems to take away the suspense. After another short run of tunnels and twists you quickly run through the tunnel back to main land just in time to catch your breath again!
My overall view
Good Points: A well themed ride with some great effects on and off ride. Good visitor interaction.
Bad Points: The ride does get repetitive after a while, its a extremely noisy on ride, not a good ride for those with sensitive ears!
Rider tip: Try to get a carriage to yourself, that way you can sit in the middle and not get wet on the waterfall. Also look out for the swinging possum from Ice age.
Overall Rating 8/10
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast follows the plot of the evil emperor Zurg who is attempting to steal the crystallic fusion cells which are used to power the little green mens transport. The riders job is to stop Zurg and his secret weapon by using their laser guns to shoot him down.
The ride is designed similarly to haunted mansion, where the cars of the ride are always moving. This helps load guests quickly and the queue rarely tops half an hour. I enjoyed the ride but I felt the storyline was not involved enough in the ride, once you’ve boarded the cars you concentrate on shooting not on the plot, the scene on ride were good but again they were undeveloped and many were nothing to do with the story line. Its definitely an enjoyable ride for children but teenagers may not be too impressed.
My Overall View
Good Points: Well organized, interactive ride for kids.
Bad Points: Storyline was rather undeveloped and the ride was very little to do with the plot.
Rider Tip: In the first room turn round and shoot the robot’s hand to get 10,00 points!
Overall Rating: 6/10