Mickeytb357
Member
Any rough estimates on when we suspect it may open? By May?
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MK Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack
- Thread starter TheCoasterNerd
- Start date
Mr. Sullivan
Well-Known Member
It's really not though. This was not a simple refurbishment, and it doesn't need to be treated like one. This was an incredibly extensive project that is not too far from basically building a whole new ride (helped of course by existing structure but a whole new track + new ride control system is a tall order). Is that something you'd like for them to rush?
Mr. Sullivan
Well-Known Member
There's been some rumors that they intend to do a lengthy Space redo with a new track but nothing concrete. All of the reliable folks who've mentioned it were clear it was just conversation so far not a plan written in stone.
dmc493
Well-Known Member
It's 100% the next E-ticket in the park that's deserving of the attention though
HMF
Well-Known Member
You wouldn't want to go near Disneyland then.
gorillaball
Well-Known Member
Are you just trying to trigger people. Please do explain how it makes the books better? (I haven’t even hit “post” and I’m already regretting my response)
AidenRodriguez731
Well-Known Member
So long? This is similar timing to Hulk took back in 2015?? Hulk had the benefit of being entirely outside, it's obviously going to be harder to get and connect track in the confines of a smaller building, not to mention changing over the show scenes. And of course new paving and a new maintenance barn iirc?
This is a fairly routine time to completely rip up and reset track?
mysto
Well-Known Member
That's good news, a concrete roller coaster track does not sound good to my lumbar.
Biff215
Well-Known Member
It’s well known that Disney likes to spread costs across quarters and fiscal years. Look up the construction of New Fantasyland if you don’t believe me. I’m not saying I know for sure that’s what is happening here, just that it’s not really a conspiracy theory or attempt to “trigger” anyone. It’s simple business.
Honestly I think any extra time here is likely due to the construction going on next to it. Better to get done what they can now rather than have to close it again later. Big Thunder used to hang over RoA so there’s little to no separation from the active construction site.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I am not an accountant or a Disney spreadsheeter but I think it has to with spreading the cost over as many quarters as possible.
Maybe there is nothing to it and Disney’s subcontractors just work slow.
A while back I was talking with a WDW employee and he said that Disney would inspect and reject the subcontractors work for very insignificant things just to delay paying them. Not sure how true that is.
I WISH DISNEY INSPECTED AND REJECTED THE IN GROUND LIGHTING AT EPCOT!!!!!!
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Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Totally agree, we cant compare Hulk to Big Thunder. The retrack of Thunder is way more complex than Hulk.
The Hulk retrack took about 11 months; total retrack, new ride vehicles with in board audio system and a redesigned queue with a new entrance with a new statue of the Hulk holding up pieces of the original coaster track as a tribute to the ride's history, I did not even realize that till I looked it up! Very cool!
I do love all the tributes both Universal and Disney adds to their attractions!
But yes, the Big Thunder retrack, that closed the attraction on Jan. 6 of 2025 is much more complex.
I joke, but I fully expect Big Thunder to open this, summer.
If Disney attentionally chooses to spread work over quarters for financial reasons could be just my conspiracy theory.
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JD80
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't say that they are spreading costs out right now, at least to any major degree. Seems like all projects currently on going are moving at a steady clip.
bmr1591
Well-Known Member
I think we also have to recognize the work happening around Big Thunder and how that is going to impact the opening timeline as well. Big Thunder may be ready in mid-April, but if they aren't finished doing certain aspects of the Piston Peak project that require the sidewalk/immediate area surrounding Big Thunder, they aren't opening it. No reason to open it and immediately close it again due to the ongoing work around it.
Biff215
Well-Known Member
Didn’t say they were, just that it has happened and is nothing new.
gorillaball
Well-Known Member
It’s well known they intentionally spread costs for financial benefit? Or it’s well known Disney is slow at timelines and the keyboard warriors have widely shared an unsubstantiated reason?
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Disney has officially announced Big Thunder will open in the spring. Before the retrack started, they had already announced Piston Peak. I have to imagine when they announced the Spring opening of Big Thunder, any work related to Piston Peak was already considered?
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
??? The track is (as far as I know) already done since train/cars have already been seen on the track undergoing testing…
JD80
Well-Known Member
Disney has been pretty consistent with build time with the exception of the EPCOT debacle and TRON. All lands they have built going back 15 years have taken roughly 3 years to complete.
Smiley/OCD
Well-Known Member
Except for Tiana (and we all know how that ended up)…fastest “new”, “reskin”, “retheme” attraction due for a rehab that I can remember except for maybe Astro Orbiter…