Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Overhaul Preparations Continue as Another Permit is Filed

Gallery / 5 Photos
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad overview

Posted: Wednesday December 4, 2024 1:47pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as preparations continue for the extensive refurbishment project starting in early 2025.

Big Thunder Mountain will be closed for a lengthy refurbishment starting January 6, 2025

The permit, filed today, is assigned to long-time Disney Imagineering partner Elite AV Systems Inc. and expires on December 3, 2025.

Elite AV Systems Inc. has a history of working on recent Disney projects, focusing on technical and electrical components.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is scheduled to close on January 6, 2025, for what Disney has described as its most extensive refurbishment to date. Previous permits for the project included work with Coastal Steel Inc. for general construction and DPR Construction for complex structural updates. The DPR Construction permit is valid through March 13, 2026.

Disney has previously said it plans to reopen Big Thunder Mountain in 2026, promising the ride will return with "a little bit of new magic."

Early site preparations for a crane installation are already underway

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DCBaker1 hour ago

Photos from today: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54286899061_ec30b34c83_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287321985_22157a7554_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287085999_ff28c55d70_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287133919_c61995e7d6_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287137169_7f0afefab6_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54286009867_db4ff9d453_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54286013607_290c7416eb_k.jpg [url=https://flic.kr/p/2qHbHum]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287322000_7e36140285_k.jpg [url=https://flic.kr/p/2qHaLnv]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287136583_e099a4df0d_k.jpg [url=https://flic.kr/p/2qHaLmZ]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287136553_aedefad9f2_k.jpg [url=https://flic.kr/p/2qHaLxX]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54287137189_c16f8acee0_k.jpg

ToTBellHop6 hours ago

Track replacement projects typically occur before a coaster is unsafe. Old tracks are uncomfortable for the guest and increase maintenance costs due to wear and tear. Eventually, it’s more cost-effective to replace everything.

JoeCamel8 hours ago

It's old

mergatroid8 hours ago

I don't know how much, if any was technically 'unsafe'. However I would guess it's somebody using common sense? I mean if only 60% of the track was replaced then that would mean at some stage in the future that 40% would need replacing long before the newer 60%. That in turn would mean another track refurb shutting the attraction again completely for a long period. Whilst saving money short term, this approach would cost more long term. Probably similar to when Universal replaced all of the Hulk track.

John park hopper8 hours ago

Why was all the track removed was it unsafe?

JD801 day ago

You can demo that lantern into my truck.

EagleScout6101 day ago

Green - Save Red - Demolition

wdwmagic1 day ago

They also now have color coded tags for demo and preserve! New Original

Nobody nobody1 day ago

Looks so bizarre to see big thunder torn up like this.

wdwmagic1 day ago

Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Overhaul: Majority of Track Now Removed https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/big-thunder-mountain-railroad/news/24jan2025-big-thunder-mountain-railroad-overhaul-majority-of-track-now-removed.htm More photos at https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/big-thunder-mountain-railroad/gallery/24jan2025-big-thunder-mountain-refurbishment---january-20-2025.htm

JoeCamel6 days ago

Not that hard, just install the outer section then roll/winch each section to extend the track until you get to the other side. Same way they pulled it out

Raineman6 days ago

The other side of that board has a three letter word that is attached to "hole", along with a pic of Bob Iger.

TiggerDad6 days ago

It will probably take a little longer for that process than removal. ;)

Mr. Sullivan6 days ago

I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating it's gonna be to re-lay down track inside the existing mountain structure. Just thinking about it is irritating me and I don't even have to do it.