Crew members present at the on-going refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom were smiling and waving at guests voyaging on the Liberty Square Riverboat as it passed new construction.
In today’s Big Thunder Mountain update, crews appear to be hard at work on the structural supports of the mountain near its base. Two members of the crew, the men wearing blue shirts, boots, and white hard hats, took the time to smile and wave at guests sailing by on the riverboat.
The smiling crew member is holding onto a pole which is protruding from below ground while surrounding by scaffolding, plywood, buckets, and additional safety equipment.
Here, the three crew members are peering into the hole in the plywood. Along with the scaffolding and plywood, it appears the some dirt work is required in the structural maintenance of the ride’s exterior facade.
Several crew members were taking a water break while sitting on the metal walkways below the scaffolding and construction equipment used to work on the track bridge.
No change has occurred inside this particular cave and plywood still sits over the holes to protect crew members from tripping or falling into them.
This cavern is where we saw the first new piece of track being lowered into place by a crane during our previous construction update. Pieces of track are still being held in place by cables at the mouth of the cave.
Some pieces of track have already been installed and secured as seen in this snapshot. The new track is shiny, but dark brown to blend in to the browns and tans of the surrounding rock structures.
While parts of the track have been replaced, most of the line is still covered in metal and wood while awaiting the new pieces of track to be installed.
Sadly, today’s update is also lacking the flying dumpster, but the cranes are still present backstage.
From the ground, we were able to see that the plastic tarp which has been hung from the ceiling of the queue building with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad sign, blocking any views to the inside is also still present.
However, we were able to get a small peek inside the queue where green ratchet straps can be seen spanning between pillars.
From the Walt Disney World Railroad, we were able to see that the backstage maintenance barn which typically houses non-operational trains has been removed. In its place is construction equipment, caution cones, and broken concrete.
Work also continues on the fictional town of Tumbleweed. Metal scaffolding surrounds the majority of the area in addition to power cords, hoses, buckets, and more.
Also in the Tumbleweed area, an Atlas Copco Air Compressor unit is still present. To the left, the possums which hang out on the dead tree still remain although most of the other props and animals have already been covered with plastic or completely removed.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad temporarily closed on January 6, 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment. Disney states that when it reopens, sometime in 2026, it will have “a hint of new magic.”
This comes in addition to a Disney Villains land which is being constructed beyond Big Thunder, so the refurbishment is likely getting the area ready for the new space along with the new magic. The new land will include two major attractions, dining, and shopping.
Frontierland will also get two “Cars” rides as part of a new area replacing Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. The island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will permanently close sometime soon.
What new magic do you hope Disney is adding to Big Thunder? Let us know in the comments!
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