Significant progress has been made on the refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, with the exterior track now entirely removed. No track is visible on the outdoor sections of the ride - impressive progress in just over a week.
From vantage points around Frontierland, the once-familiar twists and turns of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are no longer visible. While the exterior track has been completely removed, it's unclear what work has been completed inside the mountain, as the interior remains out of view.
A Complex Undertaking
Unlike standard coasters with exposed tracks built on concrete pads, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's design is intricately integrated with themed rockwork and other scenic elements. This adds significant complexity to the track replacement process, requiring crews to carefully dismantle and navigate the ride's elaborate environment without damaging surrounding theming.
What's Next
With the exterior track removed, attention may now shift to the mountain's interior. Crews are likely continuing work inside the structure, which houses much of the ride's path and show scenes. Once track replacement is complete, the focus will likely turn to rebuilding portions of the mountain's rockwork and integrating updated effects or other enhancements.
Refurbishment Timeline
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for refurbishment on January 6, 2025, and Disney has stated the attraction will reopen in 2026. Multiple permits filed for the project indicate work could continue through at least March 2026.
Click the gallery to see more of the track replacement project at Big Thunder Mountain.
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