The installation of Fastpass on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been quite a hit. However, it isn't as much of a necessity to use Fastpass here as it is on other attractions. It is recommended to use Fastpass on Big Thunder if Guests are planning on riding in the middle of the day when crowds are at the highest peak. Guests may have to obtain a fast pass in the mid morning -early afternoon in order for their return time to be in the peak of the afternoon. Early in the morning and later in the evening lines tend to be shorter, and thus Fastpass should be saved for the higher crowd attractions.

The various entrances for Fastpass and Standby are extremely straightforward at Big Thunder Mountain. The Distribution Center is well themed and covered by a wooden overhang. If Guests are facing the Big Thunder entrance, the center is on the right hand side. Guests will notice that there are two sides to the queue at the main entrance of the attraction. The Fastpass Return line is on the left hand side of the queue, while the Standby line is on the right hand side. The lines are well marked with a sign overhead listing the return time window and standby wait. A Cast Member should be located at the entrance to check Fastpasses and assist Guests.

The Distribution Center for Big Thunder Mountain is one of the larger and better-designed centers in the park. Each distribution unit is well themed and appears rusty and aged from the old West. The center is very obvious because of the Western wooden overhang and wooden signs overhead. Guests enter the Distribution Center directly to the right of the Big Thunder main entrance, obtain their Fastpass and exit the center the way they came in or continue out to the other side. The entrance and exit lines are well marked with signs displaying the current Fastpass return time above the center's entrance.

The Standby line for Big Thunder is located on the right hand side of the queue. The queue is divided into two lines from the very beginning and is well marked overhead, so Guests shouldn't have trouble finding the Standby Line on their right hand side. Cast Members are always available for assistance. This line does tend to be rather slow moving since the installation of Fastpass, as Cast Members stop the Standby Line to allow Fastpass holders clearance and priority on the attraction. However it is fine to stand in early in the morning or later at night.

Just the opposite of the Standby Line, the Fastpass Return line is located on the LEFT hand side of the Big Thunder Entrance. The queue is divided into two at the entrance to the attraction. Guests holding a Fastpass will be asked to show it to the Cast Member standing at the entrance. After entering simply stay to the left and wind around the line, down the hill and under the track where a Cast Member will be waiting to collect tickets and send Guests up the stairs to the loading area.