Big Thunder Mountain Railroad turns 46 today! The Disneyland version of the attraction opened on September 2, 1979. Designed by Tony Baxter and Bill Watkins, Big Thunder Mountain was inspired by Marc Davis’ planned Western River Expedition. Walt Disney World was never originally intended to have Pirates of the Caribbean - instead, Davis designed a boat ride through a western town. A runaway mine train was part of that concept. When guests were disappointed that WDW didn’t include Pirates, Imagin