Disney Begins Refurbishment Preparations at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Large Scrim Installed

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad October 2024

Posted: Tuesday October 29, 2024 9:22am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A large scrim has been set up behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom, concealing early construction activity as Disney prepares for the attraction's upcoming refurbishment.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad October 2024

Initial Preparations for Extensive Refurbishment

The appearance of the scrim suggests that preliminary work is already underway ahead of Big Thunder's scheduled closure on January 6, 2025. This early phase may involve site preparation for the installation of a large crane, which is likely needed to manage significant upgrades to the coaster's ride system and track. Disney's previously filed permits indicate the project will require extensive structural updates, with the ride expected to reopen sometime in 2026. Given the scale of the refurbishment, cranes and other heavy equipment will almost certainly be essential.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad October 2024

Anticipated Timeline

Disney has not yet provided specifics on what updates are planned, but recent permits indicate that the project timeline extends through March 2026. While this offers a general timeframe for completion, exact dates may shift as the work progresses.

Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom will close on January 6, 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment

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danlb_200021 days ago

They do a lot of steel work for Disney. http://coastalsteel.com/

BirdbyBird22 days ago

interesting. I'll research the company

Jayspency22 days ago

nothing at WDW is a sacred cow so I get why you would be worried. But if a ride is popular it won't be changed... except for splash

JoeCamel22 days ago

Not sure on that I just saw lots of night welding

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

Ah! That’s what I’m remembering! I also think right when it reopened they didn’t have the railroad ties back in place? Or maybe I saw that from the train before it reopened.

JoeCamel22 days ago

Back in ~2012 or so they took it down for what was supposed to be replacement but they only did sections and welded for weeks. At night it was lit up like Pandora in the dark with different welders

Disgruntled Walt22 days ago

I WILL!

danlb_200022 days ago

The permit it from Coastal Steel, so they are probably doing the install.

BirdbyBird22 days ago

Who does Disney source to work on this? are there specialists?

ToTBellHop22 days ago

The parks are dead all summer and it closes for lightning so not many will notice regardless.

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

I thought they replaced the track before - did they not? Maybe it was just a section they replaced?

HauntedPirate22 days ago

That scrim has me so activated I can't stand it. Where's Josh and Jeff so I can do this?!?!!

Disgruntled Walt22 days ago

Would they close it in the middle of the summer? Or would this be post-August? (asking since I'm going to be there in July most likely)

TomboyJanet22 days ago

I'm just pre-empting it in case they ever try, Im paranoid now! You know. That's what happens when they start taking out staples. You wonder if anything is sacred.