Walt Disney World celebrated a milestone in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment with a golden spike ceremony. The ride has been closed for a year and will reopen this spring.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Golden Spike Ceremony
Along with other updates, crews completely rebuilt the steel track of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They celebrated the track’s completion with the installation of golden spikes on the final piece, an old tradition in American railroad construction.
Senior Project Manager Stephen Murphy said, “This project represents what being a Cast Member is all about—protecting a legacy while preparing it for the future. I take pride knowing our work will keep this tradition alive for generations to come”.
Associate Project Manager Emily York said, “Watching the first vehicle roll onto the new track was surreal. This project has been a true labor of love.”
The Refurbishment Was a Team Effort
According to a Disney press release, teams from all across Disney World worked together on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment. Imagineers, engineers, construction teams, and technology experts worked together to refresh this classic attraction.
Meanwhile, program field representative Wesley Kashula said of the collaboration: “It takes an army to achieve something of this scale. My hope is that Guests feel the same excitement and joy they’ve always associated with Big Thunder—only elevated.”
The coaster has new ride vehicles that have been testing, refreshed Audio-Animatronics, gold props, and an updated Rainbow Caverns opening scene.
Disney has not announced an exact reopening date for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, just that it will reopen this spring.
Watch our ride POV from before its closure below.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
