Big Thunder Ranch

I’m really going to miss this place when it closes on January 10^th to make room for Star Wars Land.
I always make it a point to visit when I’m at the park as it’s a great respite from the hubbub from the rest of the park.
Down home fun, farm animals and plenty of character interactions to be had here. If you can, make sure you visit one more time before this area is closed forever.

They’ll be getting rid of this awesome restaurant and petting zoo to build the Star Wars Land. Such a waste of the original Disney park, hidden gem were families love. I can care less about Star Wars, overrated, never been a fan and definitely not worth destroying beautiful, historic Disney :*(

Talk about bringing out my inner kid!
I love animals and I love Disneyland so imagine how warm and fuzzy I feel about a petting zoo in Disneyland???
So many feels for this place. They have donkeys, cows, horses, goats, and sheep!
Great for children and great for adults like myself who think they are children and love animals!

This is a cute place to go and hang out when you have children with you, especially on a busy day. It’s located on a not so crowded pathway between Fantasyland and Frontierland so there’s never too many people here because not too many people know that this pathway goes through and doesn’t dead end.
I’ve never eaten at the restaurant but I’m sure the food is delicious because there’s barely any food in the whole park that isn’t. It’s a good deal because it’s all you can eat BBQ for just over $ 30 a person, but I honestly don’t think that I could eat $ 30 worth of food so I don’t think it would be worth it for me to eat here. On the other hand they do have a menu that you can take home with you that has their recipes on it so I think that’s a nice way for you to be able to try it at home for yourself while saving a little bit of money.
The petting zoo is really cute and my daughter loves it. They only have goats and maybe one or two sheep in the pen so there’s not a huge variety of animals to pet, but I really don’t think the kids care. They also have a horse come out that the kids can pet and take pictures with, which is really cute and super cool for kids, like my daughter, who have never seen a real horse up close before.
I think it’s very nice that they have a hand washing station for the kids to clean themselves up after they’ve pet the animals. There’s a bathroom nearby, but this station is way more convenient and they have old timey sinks so it fits the Ranch theme very well.
I’ve never been over here during any holiday seasons to know what extra things they do or which characters come out at certain times of the year, but they usually have Woody and Jesse here during the normal times of the year for everyone to take pictures with.
#50/​100

We love visiting the goats! My 3 year old loves to pet them and run around the enclosure making sure to say hi to each one. They are very well behaved and the keepers make sure the area is kept clean and tidy
They do not allow any food, drinks or strollers inside and there is nearby wash stations to wash your hands after
Make sure to keep an eye out for Jessie and woody from toy story while you’re there!

Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree is one of our favorite spots in Disneyland, especially on busy/​crowded days.
My kids love to see the horses and pet the goats. One of the only places that I know of in Disneyland (not CA Adventure) that you can regularly meet Woody.
At Holidays, Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree is amazing!
Easter: craft, bunny hop (all of the different Disney bunnies dance), meeting stations for bunnies which is fun because those characters don’t usually appear in the park (Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, thumper, Roger Rabbit, White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland), etc.).
Halloween: Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc.) all in Halloween costumes, roaming around for meeting and autographs (no lines!), carnival games with prizes, pumpkin carving demonstration.
Christmas: craft, characters to meet.
Always decorated above and beyond, too!

This is my favorite part about coming to Disneyland. The animals are so well kept and the employees are amazing. A cool fun fact. If you wait until closing time of the ranch, they do a goat run where they move all the goats from the pen to the back area where they sleep for the night.

I have yet to actually eat here or enjoy a show, but I have actually been here to enjoy the Christmas festivities during the happiest season of the year! I was really surprised to see the characters roaming around as opposed to them staying in one spot with a line. Here, there were no lines and kids were able to approach them on their own time, I liked that, and my two year old, who is terrified of the characters here, seemed to warm up quickly with this idea. The line for Santa is quite long, but that is to be expected. There is a lot to do here, and the decorations make for a fun and festive time!

Fun little petting zoo. Great if you have kids.

You can pet goats, sheep and a cow!
Ask the CMs when the Goat Run is for the day and return at that time. It’s 20 seconds of pure awesomeness and joy.

bbaaaahhhh-​d petting zoo lol
theres a few goats, a nd just one donkey
but all the goats are chillin like get away humans

Some random facts:
— The President’s turkey will live here every other year (it’s at WDW other years)
–The happiest animals on earth are at this animal farm
— Make sure to Wash your hands
— The seasonal displays are a great area for photo ops

It sort of is a «ranch» in the sense that they have some pinned up animals but outside of that there really isn’t that much to see or do. At least it’s not that crowded so you can walk around and just relax.

Unlike the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland comes up pretty short when it comes to food options that aren’t counter service. Opened a few years ago, Big Thunder Ranch is a much need and delicious addition.
The Good:
DELICIOUS BBQ: Overall food at Disney is pretty good in flavor and quality, however, I was surprised that BTR offered surprisingly good BBQ. All the meat was juicy, flavorful, and quality cuts. The sides were incredible, especially the corn which was cooked in milk making it sweet.
–GREAT ATMOSPHERE: They have multiple live performers entertain and sing songs throughout the meal. Characteristic of Disney it is very kid oriented and the performers encourage involvement on stage.
–GREAT SERVICE: Our group of 12 had two waitresses for our table, they were friendly and very on top of things.
–PORTIONS, PORTIONS, PORTIONS: All you can eat baby! Food is served family style and is unlimited. Want more delicious corn? They’ll bring more. Meats are served in a little bucket and they will come and refill it once it gets low.
The So So:
–Limited Menu: Be warned that there isn’t necessarily a menu, so pick eaters should pay attention. Since it is family style, you simply eat what you want as they bring out everything they have. The menu includes (vegetarian available upon request):
–Ribs
–Chicken
–Sausage
–Cole Slaw
–Corn Bread
–Beans
–Corn
–Steep Prices: At $ 27.00 a plate for adults, BTR isn’t cheap. However, keeping in mind this is Disney and the average price of a meal at a counter service restaurant is $ 10+, the $ 27 doesn’t sting as bad as it would outside the park. The price is further justified by the fact that the food is all you can eat, Soda is included, and the entertainment will give your kids a meal they will probably remember.
TL;DR: Despite steep prices, this all you can eat BBQ restaurant is one of the best dining options at the Disneyland Resort.

It’s the wildest ride in the West! Life long favorite ever since I was a little kid. Have you heard of the «goat effect»? Try it.

Cool holiday themed stuff! I’ve only been here for Lunar New Year and for Halloween but it’s definitely worth the visit!
[+] characters dress up with the holiday and you can take photos with them!
[+] various holiday-​related activities/​festivities (live acts, crafts, etc.)
LUNAR NEW YEAR:
[+] Mulan and Mushu come out!
[+] Mickey and Minnie dress up in traditional LNY clothing
[+] traditional chinese dance performances
HALLOWEEN:
[+] conjure a villain! will it be… Captain Hook? Cruel DeVille? Maleficent?
[+] color in some Halloween masks to keep and themed carnival games!
[+] hill billy performs ghostly music
[+] Skeletal Goofy, Pumpkin Donald Duck, and Chip + Dale!
TIPS:
Only valid during a schedule time frame so grab that schedule when you enter the park and you’ll know the times!

An amazing little spot tucked away into the far back of Disneyland.
IMO, the best time to come is during the winter season, when they have reindeer.
All of the animals are very well behaved and calm. I had a small pygmy goat actually lay in my lap for a picture. It was pretty amazing.
There are other barnyard animals from time to time, including cows, donkeys and pigs.
I’ve heard that this little ranch also served as the «home» for the pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys from the White House. Pretty interested, though I’ve never seen one here.
Worth a stop, especially if you have an annual pass~

Pygmy goats and a cow and a donkey! Its a petting zoo. I mean a petting ranch!
Not to be confused with the barbecue place next door, you only pet the animals here, not eat them.
This is a great place to bring animal lovers to pet and have a look at these barnyard animals up close.
Good: Its a petting ranch in Disneyland! How can you go wrong!
Bad: The smell of barbecue next door can be confusing to the senses.
Final: Oh, look at the cute little pygmy goats!