6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Image: DisneyIn a way, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad suffers from a syndrome that I’ll lazily call Been There, Done That-itis. This roller coaster is wonderful, a satisfying thrill ride with the perfect rickety sounds to reinforce the immersive notion that your vehicle may not survive the ride. You’ll feel out of control in a wholly satisfying way during your journey. It’s pure Imagineering magic. And it still feels like you’ve been there and done that.

One of the oldest mine train roller coasters in the world, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad first debuted in 1979/1980 at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. By that point, we already had a pair of other roller coasters featuring companion mountains. Each of them is more revolutionary in nature, of greater historical significance and has a better man-made structure pairing. To a larger point, Magic Kingdom has four different artificial mountains. The one at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the least memorable of the ones from the 20th century.

5. Radiator Springs Racers

Image: DisneyI think I’ve made my adoration for Radiator Springs Racers pretty well-known over the years. I think it’s in the conversation for best themed ride at any Disney park. The Cars franchise is impeccably represented with both the breathtaking landscape and the coaster carts. The ride through Radiator Springs encapsulates Lightning McQueen’s journey in the first film, with clever participation from all your favorite characters.

For the purposes of this list, Ornament Valley is the key component, though. The Cars Land expansion was famously part of $1.1 billion in renovations at Disney California Adventure. Beyond the Paradise Pier sign and Ferris wheel, it’s the main wienie at the park. The vista is gorgeous from a distance and an artistic triumph from up close. It’s one of the greatest constructs in Disney history with a phenomenal ride attached. The fact that it can’t finish higher on the list speaks volumes about how consistently impressive Disney’s man-made mountains are.

4. Expedition Everest

Image: DisneyQuick, what’s THE tallest Disney mountain? Okay, you read the title, so you already know the answer. Still, it’s important to state this for our purposes. When Disney constructed the Forbidden Mountain, they maxed out the structure. Federal laws require all man-made structures such as this one to top out at 200 feet. Anything beyond that needs special warning lights for air traffic control purposes.

Park planners have no interest in putting warning lights on their precious mountains, and so 199 feet is the theoretical maximum for these buildings. Not coincidentally, the Forbidden Mountain is 199 feet tall. Due to the unique nature of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this particular wienie is also visible from vast distances inside the park. It’s an architectural triumph of a sort, assuming that we ignore its critical flaw. Alas, I just can’t do that. Expedition Everest is highlighted by a breathtaking wienie and a spectacular backwards ride into darkness. But it’s also the man-made mountain with the worst flaw. As such, I can’t place it in the top three over wienies I view as nearly perfect.