The Cursed Lore of Big Thunder Mountain

Summary

The video script delves into the rich lore behind Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, exploring its haunted history and the curse of the Thunderbird spirit. It traces the story from the Shon people's legends to the rise and fall of the Big Thunder Mining Company, led by characters like Henry Ravenswood and Barnabas T. Bullion. The narrative is a blend of tragedy, greed, and supernatural events, all woven into the thrilling roller coaster experience unique to Disney parks.

Takeaways

• 🎢 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a classic roller coaster at various Disney parks themed around a runaway mine train.
• 👻 The ride is associated with a deep backstory involving curses, ghosts, and the legend of the Thunderbird from Native American mythology.
• 🏞️ The story begins with the Shon people who originally inhabited the area around Big Thunder Mountain, believing the mountain to be sacred.
• 🔍 In 1849, a prospector named Henry Ravenswood discovered gold in the mountain, leading to the establishment of the Big Thunder Mining Company and the town of Thunder Mesa.
• 🏚️ An earthquake, believed to be caused by the Thunderbird's wrath, destroyed Thunder Mesa, killing Henry and his wife, and leading to the abandonment of the town.
• 👰 Henry's daughter Melanie Ravenswood mysteriously disappeared, and it's said she still haunts Ravenswood Manor searching for her lost groom.
• 📜 The Big Thunder Mining Company passed to Barnabas T. Bullion after the Ravenswood family's misfortunes, despite the ongoing curse and natural disasters.
• 👻 Paranormal activity and ghostly apparitions have been reported around the mountain, contributing to the belief in the curse of Big Thunder Mountain.
• 🗺️ The story includes various towns surrounding the mountain, such as Rainbow Ridge, Tumbleweed, and Grizzly Gulch, each with its own experiences of the curse.
• 🧐 The lore of Big Thunder Mountain is considered to be more intricate and detailed compared to other Disney attractions, with a complex narrative involving family, greed, and vengeance.
• 📚 The video script suggests that the events of Big Thunder Mountain's story likely took place in the 1910s, based on the state of the mining equipment and the evolution of the Wild West timeline.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney parks?

The main theme of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a runaway mine train roller coaster set in a Frontier environment, with an added layer of spooky haunted lore and backstory.

What is the significance of the Thunderbird in the Big Thunder Mountain story?

The Thunderbird is a mythological creature from Native American mythology, believed to create thunder by flapping its wings and lightning by flashing its eyes. In the story, it is associated with the curse and haunting of Big Thunder Mountain.

Who was Henry Ravenswood and what did he establish at Big Thunder Mountain?

Henry Ravenswood was a young prospector who discovered gold at Big Thunder Mountain, leading him to establish the Big Thunder Mining Company and the mining town of Thunder Mesa.

What happened to the local Shon tribe after Henry Ravenswood established his mining company?

The local Shon tribe was forced off their lands due to the development brought by the mining company, and they were ignored when they warned against disturbing the mountain.

What is the connection between the towns around Big Thunder Mountain and the mining company?

The towns, such as Rainbow Ridge, Tumbleweed, Stillwater Junction, and Grizzly Gulch, were established to support the Big Thunder Mining Company and had depots for the mining operations.

What tragedy befell Henry Ravenswood and his family?

Henry Ravenswood and his wife Martha died in an earthquake that only affected Thunder Mesa. Their daughter Melanie disappeared mysteriously around the time of her wedding.

How did Barnabas T. Bullion become the owner of the Big Thunder Mining Company?

After the disappearance of Melanie Ravenswood and the subsequent power vacuum, Barnabas T. Bullion rose to power and claimed the Big Thunder Mining Company for himself.

What paranormal phenomena began to occur around the towns of Big Thunder Mountain?

Strange, otherworldly, and paranormal phenomena such as ghostly apparitions, mine trains running on their own, and flash floods began to plague the towns, leading people to believe the mountain was cursed and haunted.

What role does Jason Chandler play in the Big Thunder Mountain story?

Jason Chandler, a member and president of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, was approached by Barnabas T. Bullion to help with the Big Thunder Mining Company's labor and supply shortage issues.

What is the narrator's theory about when the events of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad took place?

The narrator theorizes that the events of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad took place in the mid-1910s, based on the condition of mining equipment and the narration heard on the Mark Twain Riverboat.