Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment at Magic Kingdom Enters Set Installation Phase

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Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment - February 5, 2025

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Posted: Friday February 28, 2025 1:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Another milestone in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment has been reached, as Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) has filed a new Notice of Commencement for the Magic Kingdom attraction. The document, which lists the work as "Install set elements," is assigned to Icarus Exhibits, Inc., a company known for themed set fabrication and installation.

Walt Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain is undergoing a major renovation project

Set Installation Begins at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

This latest filing indicates that the refurbishment is now moving beyond track replacement and infrastructure updates to focus on theming and set elements within the ride. While details of the installation remain unclear, this could involve:

Restoring or replacing existing scenery inside and outside the mountain
Adding new themed elements to enhance the attraction
Upgrading show scenes with refreshed props, lighting, or effects

Icarus Exhibits, Inc. specializes in designing and installing immersive set pieces for themed attractions and has recently worked on TRON Lightcycle Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment - February 5, 2025

What This Means for the Refurbishment Timeline

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for its long-term refurbishment on January 6, 2025, with Disney confirming a reopening sometime in 2026. Recent permits have included track removal, electrical work, and rockwork demolition, with some valid through March 2026.

Stay tuned for further updates as the wildest ride in the wilderness continues its transformation.

Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment - February 5, 2025

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gerarar2 days ago

Goofyernmost6 days ago

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

Disstevefan17 days ago

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

Raineman7 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.

Disstevefan19 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.

flynnibus9 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"

JD809 days ago

Sigh.

flynnibus9 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.