PHOTOS: More Coaster Track Removed as Scaffolding Rises at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Gretchen McDermid

Two workers in safety vests stand near a wooden cart and old mining equipment beside a dirt path and bridge, capturing the essence of a construction update underway at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

PHOTOS: More Coaster Track Removed as Scaffolding Rises at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

It has only been a few days since our last report on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad construction project, but we are already seeing some more changes during our latest photo update.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Update

A construction crane towers over the theme park, its silhouette enhancing the desert-like landscape near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Lush greenery complements the scene's rugged charm against a clear blue sky, with photos capturing every detail of this enchanting construction update.

To spot all of the newest changes, we took a ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad and the Liberty Square Riverboat. The tall yellow crane still towers over the whole area.

A small building surrounded by lush trees and vegetation sits beside the rail tracks, with a round sign in the foreground. Nearby, two people in bright clothing stroll past, seemingly unfazed by the railroad construction update near Big Thunder Mountain.

First, we caught a glimpse of construction crew members standing near the attraction’s maintenance barn. A large section of metal track is being lowered from a crane.

Workers in safety gear inspect and work on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster track, surrounded by trees and fencing. This latest construction update offers a glimpse into the meticulous maintenance process.

It appears several more sections of track have been removed since our last update and are being lowered backstage.

A crew member waved as we passed by the wooden walkway in the center of the town scene. Even more metal scaffolding has been added around this area, particularly to the left.

Rocky terrain with a wooden barrier and tree roots visible, reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Cacti and dry vegetation in the foreground add to the rustic charm.

Additional metal scaffolds have floors and handrails so crew members can cross over the top of large crevices.

Across the water, orange and yellow safety tape has been strung across large sections of the mountain. Some orange cones and wheelbarrows are stationed near the cave entrance.

We spotted two crew members making their way down the track near the sharp bend facing the attraction’s exit. They followed the track down to the section of missing track we noticed during our last update.

Two workers in safety vests stand near a wooden cart and old mining equipment beside a dirt path and bridge, capturing the essence of a construction update underway at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

The crew members seem to be inspecting the area underneath where the track was placed.

A large group of crew members were hiking up the mountain, where more yellow safety tape has been strung. If you zoom in a little closer, you can spot where a crane is attached to an orange box.

A closer image shows where the crane has four thick attachments to an orange metal container. Unfortunately, the object was too far away to see what might be inside.

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the wooden cabin offers a sweeping view of the rugged terrain, reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. A suspended rope basket adds to its rustic charm, while recent construction updates enhance its blend with nature.

Finally, the props and items we noticed during our last update have not been removed yet. We saw them still tagged with bright pink labels.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Construction

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been announced to stay closed for the entirety of 2025, and will not be reopening until 2026. Recently, we noticed the narration on the Walt Disney World Railroad was updated to mention the attraction’s lengthy closure. Disney has stated the ride will have a “little bit of new magic” when it reopens, but no details or a reopening date have been shared yet. A new Disney Villains-themed land will be constructed beyond Big Thunder Mountain, so it’s likely that this lengthy refurbishment is coinciding with larger construction plans in the area.

Missing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad already? You can watch our full 4K ride POV below:

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.