BACKSTORY: (June 22, 1986 - January 11, 2016) Located near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Big Thunder Ranch (hosted by Brawny) included an outdoor petting zoo and a walk-through cabin, all with a Western ranch-theme. Among the animals were the two turkeys who received presidential pardons in honor of Thanksgiving in 2008.
Big Thunder Ranch had an eating area, once called the Big Thunder Barbecue, as well as an outdoor stage that once served as a home for the Hunchback of Notre Dame dinner show. The show ended in the late 1990s, with Big Thunder Barbecue closing soon after. After being used on occasion for special events and seasonal attractions for several years, the dining area reopened in spring 2009 serving an all-you-can-eat barbecue menu.
The log cabin was called "Miss Chris's Cabin" and had two large tables stocked with baskets of crayons and coloring pages.
The entire ranch often hosted holiday-themed shows, including "Woody's Halloween Roundup" during Halloween and "Santa's Reindeer Roundup" at Christmas.
From Disney:
Chow down on cowboy-style grub in this rustic ranch setting, complete with toe-tappin' country music and an all-you-care-to-eat barbecue feast.
Menu
At this barbecue blowout, you can have it all!
A family-style all-you-care-to-enjoy lunch includes barbeque chicken and ribs, cole slaw, ranch beans and cornbread. At dinner, your server will bring you endless helpings of barbeque chicken and ribs, smoked sausages, cole slaw, Ranch beans, corn wheels and cornbread. Vegetarians can request a barbecue skewer with potatoes, squash, bell peppers, mushrooms and tofu. Dessert is available for an additional cost. You can order up an extravaganza of ranch hand sundaes and old fashioned ice cream floats, seasonal cobblers, fresh strawberry shortcake or a family-style cookie bake topped with vanilla bean ice cream and hot fudge.
Western Hospitality
Follow your host down a horseshoe-studded path to a shaded table. Rest your weary bones while your table server dishes up heaping piles of food and musicians fiddle and sing.
Entertainment
Musical guests will keep your spirits high and your hands clapping. The musical review is the perfect way to unwind before hitting the trail to your next adventure.
Big Thunder Ranch closed permanently on January 11, 2016, as the attraction (and some nearby backstage areas) will be the future site of a 14-acre land called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
