Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Prepares for Overhaul with Arrival of Large Crane at Magic Kingdom

Gallery / 3 Photos
Crane at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Decembet 12, 2024

Posted: Thursday December 12, 2024 9:55am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A large crane is now in position behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

The crane, which is now clearly visible from certain vantage points around Frontierland, will be used for tasks like dismantling and replacing track sections, as well as other work requiring a large reach. The scale of the crane suggests that substantial updates are planned for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is set to close for refurbishment on January 6, 2025, and reopen sometime in 2026.

Crane at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Decembet 12, 2024

What to Expect During the Refurbishment

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's refurbishment will be its most extensive since a four-month update in 2012. Permits filed for the project indicate work on the ride system, infrastructure, and electrical systems.

Disney has promised "a little bit of new magic" when the attraction reopens, but the exact details of what will change remain under wraps. Previous updates to Big Thunder at Disneyland included enhanced ride systems, updated vehicles, and refreshed theming, so it's possible Magic Kingdom's version could receive similar upgrades.

Stay tuned for more updates as the project unfolds.

Crane at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Decembet 12, 2024

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gerarar2 days ago

Goofyernmost5 days ago

Cool! It will happen just in time for my 93 birthday. Something to look forward too.

Disstevefan16 days ago

Just great! Construction walls around RoA from 2025 to 2043 😉

Raineman6 days ago

I believe so, just like we'll be arguing about Cars Land/ROA in that thread until Cars Land opens in June of 2043.

JoeCamel8 days ago

You don't clock in by 0700 Mickey gonna be big mad.......

flynnibus8 days ago

Just saying people are trying to authoritatively speak on the utilization of the project time and space… and people really don’t even know the daily cadence of the site. Credibility of knowing how fast disney is going vs potential… not so good…. Like i said, they don’t limit themselves to working only at night when working off stage…. Sometimes even on stage. This site is largely separated from guest access. I imagine one of the biggest issues is there is little area to put stuff down within the attraction’s footprint

TrainsOfDisney8 days ago

Why not? For that matter why not 3 shifts? I’m not saying that’s what should happen, but yes, 3 shifts would complete the project quicker I’m sure.

JD808 days ago

You think major progress can be had in a second shift, in an outdoor construction project in an operating themepark? edit to add: Yes there is work done at different hours, but I don't think doubling the crew would gain you any meaningful ROI.

dmc4938 days ago

Good lord are we still back and forth on the timing thing? It was probably always planned this long, and we all stare at permit expiration dates too much and read too much into everything.

Disstevefan18 days ago

Are we going to argue about this until it opens in December of 2026? ;) ;) ;) Please don't get triggered, the winky emoji means I am joking I have no idea when this will open.

flynnibus8 days ago

"You also have to consider about BTM is space. There isn't much space for more people to do more work. Like literal space where people can stand and do things" Solution: you don't work at the same time... but you're right... "sigh"

JD808 days ago

Sigh.

flynnibus8 days ago

Does anyone even know how many shifts are working on the site? This is a dead-end in the park - with the site hundreds of feet from any of the open guest areas.