An air compressor has been set up along the rockwork of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and more scaffolding has been added as refurbishment continues.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment
Our views from the Walt Disney World Railroad gave us a look at the refurbishment work that was underway.
We saw crew members actively at work at the backside of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. More scaffolding has been added; the covered wagon is noticeably surrounded by scaffolding and platforms with a ladder attached.
A large yellow and grey portable Atlas Copco air compressor was stationed in the drained waterway near the wooden bridge that passes over the mountain’s rockwork.
A crew member was walking down the steps on the bridge wearing a reflective vest and carrying an orange bucket.
Another crew member was on the scaffolding platform looking down at another crew member working near the side of the platform. Various construction supplies are also on the platform including a fire extinguisher and yellow diesel cans. Green tarps appear to cover some of the rockwork. An orange Home Depot bucket and a water bottle also sit on some of the rockwork near the red caution tape. Red hoses are also visible in front of some of the rocks.
A few crew members were gathered together within the mountain’s cavern. Another piece of machinery that looks similar to an air compressor is stationed on the rockwork near the cavern’s entrance.
As we passed over the bridge, more crew members were around the side of the mountain near scaffolding and a ladder. Red caution tape is in place further up the mountain.
We then took a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat to see what work was happening near the front of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The crane is suspended into the rocks and hooked to something although it’s unclear what exactly that might be.
Orange cones now line the full length of the walkway near the stretch of track that was removed. Multiple pieces of scaffolding are on the ground next to the wagon implying that more will likely be set up soon.
A zoomed-in view shows the crane cable is hooked onto something. It could be another remaining piece of track, however, it appears as though most of the track has already been removed.
During our last update, we observed that partial scaffolding and red straps had been installed near the piece of track framework that extends over the Rivers of America. The scaffolding now surrounds the entire wooden framework and most of the straps have been removed. Orange safety cones and a reflective vest are sitting atop the rocks.
Two crew members were on a platform at the water’s edge, walking around the base of the mountain.
Props from the attraction are still tagged within the covered structure and have not moved.
As we rounded the side of the mountain, many crew members were actively working. Two ladders were positioned down into the hole in the rockwork where a few of the crew members were working. It appeared as though power tools were being used from the cords that were hanging down into the hole and the cloud of dust or smoke in the air.
Disney has stated that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will remain closed for all of 2025 and will reopen again in 2026 with a “little bit of new magic.” This refurbishment is partly in preparation for the new Disney Villains-themed land that is being developed for the Magic Kingdom. In addition, a new “Cars” area will take the place of the current Rivers of America.
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