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

Dec 12, 2024 in "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad"

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

Discuss on the Forums

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JoeCamel11 days ago

Once the rockwork/scene installation is complete after track install they will do a clearance pull through and install all the control devices then pull a car through and then cycle empty cars then load water dummies to start cycling the ride - usually.... It will be a minute or two

Delta-711 days ago

My question is how long it will take for them to start testing trains after the track installation is complete. I personally am eager to see what the new trains will look like.

mikeymouse12 days ago

The track through Tumbleweed looks a little less wonky than previous.

MouseEarsMom3312 days ago

I think that's why this seems like BTMRR is ahead of schedule. It's going to take longer as working on Rivers of River will likely require it to be closed as well

lazyboy97o13 days ago

It’s really a brand new coaster. They’re also going to need the maintenance facilities back online to really be able to do a full test and adjust with all of the trains. There are coasters without separate maintenance areas but they tend to be single train coasters and the station is designed to provide access for maintenance.

dmc49313 days ago

I'm curious how long they'll need to go thru testing, there's the safety aspect of testing after the retrack which I'm assuming will be extensive, and then another layer of testing which might include any show changes like the potential explosion scene. Anyone have a good idea how long testing has taken on other coasters that were retracked?

JoeCamel13 days ago

Or it just may be that this location is physically unsuitable to install a tower crane

TrippedUp13 days ago

I Suspect the open areas were seeing are going to be the easiest part. That being said, theyre clearly trying to move the crane parts as fast as possible. Using a mobile crane and prioritizing the lifts shows that. It never crossed my mind that they wouldn't use a tower. Getting that thing out of there as quickly as possible is to be applauded, for sure. If you look at active in park construction sites: astro orbiter, this, and dinoland, theyve been moving really fast. Lets not talk about Toy Story covered seating. That project appears to be financed with whatever's in the till at the end of the day.

DCBaker14 days ago

Here's a brief slow-motion look at new track from the train:

FigmentFan8214 days ago

I believe speculation is they are planning installation of updated show scenes as well. I do not know if this is true or not, but even thought the new track install may be completed fairly soon, the attraction may not come back online for quite some time.

Garyjames22014 days ago

Anyone think is any hope of this being completed for my trip at the start of December

ddisneyd14 days ago

Maybe this will be finished early?

JoeCamel15 days ago

This is America use the proper terminology!

gerarar15 days ago

Currently at WDW for the week and was at MK today. Rode the Liberty Belle and Train, as well went on TSI (probably for the last time) and got some shots of the ongoing refurbishment and track replacement. New track has been installed since the last picture update here, mostly near the western town set pieces. Also new foundations were being poured for the previously demolished maintenence shed/housing for BTMR today. Kinda hard to see through the bushes but all sorts of activity there. Other pics. 848270 848267 848268 Ladder working on the queue roofing.. 848272