New Track Installed on Second Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Lift Hill at Magic Kingdom

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

Scaffolding set up around a rocky facade with a partially constructed roller coaster track above resembles the early stages of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's iconic lift hill at Magic Kingdom.

New Track Installed on Second Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Lift Hill at Magic Kingdom

Crews continue to install new track pieces on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Construction

A worker in a safety vest and helmet stands before an under-construction rustic building, reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, surrounded by orange rocks, new track sections being laid out, and caution tape fluttering at the Magic Kingdom site.

Before hopping on the Walt Disney World Railroad, we spotted a couple of crew members in the queue of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. There have been some signs of construction in the queue, including tarps and cones in front of the buildings.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a thrilling theme park attraction infused with wild west elements, featuring a green wooden building, a metal windmill, and a rugged rocky landscape. Scaffolding and the iconic roller coaster track add to the adventurous ambiance.

Since our last update a few days ago, fresh track was placed on the second lift hill of the coaster. The lift hill is immediately after guests pass through the town of Tumbleweed, rising behind the decrepit buildings. There were crew members in the town and at the top of the hill.

Roller coaster track under construction, with a lift hill emerging among the scaffolding and rocky formations reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

There has been scaffolding around the lift hill for several weeks. The fake wooden support beams of the lift remained in place after track was removed.

Scaffolding set up around a rocky facade with a partially constructed roller coaster track above resembles the early stages of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's iconic lift hill at Magic Kingdom.

Now new black track is atop the support structure. Work isn’t done on the track, as evidenced by the red tape hanging near the bottom of the hill.

A construction worker in a safety vest and helmet stands on scaffolding near rocky terrain, reminiscent of the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, surrounded by a desert-like landscape under a clear blue sky.

New track was installed in Tumbleweed and the nearby tunnel last week.

A construction site in a desert setting resembles the enchanting Magic Kingdom, with red rocks, scaffolding, and a roller coaster track. Amidst the cactus foreground, a worker in a hard hat prepares for the anticipated lift hill of what seems like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Around the corner, we could see track pieces on a curve of the coaster. Also visible is a hole in the rockwork behind scaffolding.

Old Western-themed amusement park area with rustic buildings, red rock formations, and desert plants under a clear blue sky, now featuring the new track of Big Thunder Mountain.

The newly installed track is also visible from the Liberty Square Riverboat.

Entrance to a cave theme park attraction, featuring rocky formations with scaffolding and construction equipment visible inside, hinting at the exciting addition of a new track for Big Thunder Mountain.

The first piece of new track was installed in this tunnel weeks ago. We could see another piece of track in this area with scaffolding and plastic over it.

Scaffolding surrounds a rocky structure as workers in safety gear carry out maintenance tasks under a clear sky, preparing for the exciting addition of a new track on Big Thunder Mountain.

Crews have been working on this bridge on the side of the mountain. The track previously went under and across it.

A construction worker in an orange shirt and helmet stands on scaffolding, surrounded by metal beams and wooden structures, as preparations for the new track of Big Thunder Mountain begin against a sandy backdrop.

Crews appear to be almost completely reconstructing the bridge. They’re working on a new railing with steel beams painted to look like wood.

The construction site is buzzing with activity as workers in safety vests and helmets maneuver across multiple wooden platforms and scaffolding. Amidst the equipment and materials, the anticipation for the new track of Big Thunder Mountain grows stronger each day.

As we noted in our last update, there are signs of welding and sanding. Due to the amount of construction in this area, no new track has been installed.

Construction workers are standing on scaffolding over water, with rock formations and caves in the background, as they lay the foundation for the new track of Big Thunder Mountain.

We saw more crew members than usual on this scaffolding in the water. The concrete floor of the mountain in this area is being replaced before new track is installed.

The rocky cave entrance of the new Big Thunder Mountain track features a wooden barricade and construction scaffolding in front. A traffic cone and safety barrier are visible near the opening, promising thrilling adventures ahead.

We didn’t see any crew members working in this tunnel on Monday but previously, there were crew members in the floor, below the old track’s supports.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for refurbishment in January and its track was quickly removed. The attraction will be closed for at least a year. Disney said it will reopen with a “little bit of new magic in 2026.”

Watch our 4K multicam POV of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from before its closure below:

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