MK Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack

[osian]

How about an A1000 animatronic Barnabas T. Bullion who waves his arms around in the final lift hill?

I see where you're coming from.

 

[DCBaker]

Disney has updated the description for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, now noting guests are racing through an "active gold mine" vs "haunted" and "abandoned".

Below are the updated parts of the description from the Walt Disney World website:

Race through an active gold mine aboard a speeding train on this thrilling coaster-style ride.

New Magic Is Thunderin’
The iconic rumblin’, rollin’ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently undergoing a mountaintop-to-cavern refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in terrific shape and will reopen in 2026. In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will feature new magic for fans to discover including a journey through the spectacular natural phenomena of the Rainbow Caverns, which may not be as welcoming as they first appear.

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad begins when Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back.

After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an active mine shaft and board your runaway train. As you enter the cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track. Dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.

 

[Haymarket2008]

Disney has updated the description for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, now noting guests are racing through an "active gold mine" vs "haunted" and "abandoned".

Below are the updated parts of the description from the Walt Disney World website:

Race through an active gold mine aboard a speeding train on this thrilling coaster-style ride.

New Magic Is Thunderin’
The iconic rumblin’, rollin’ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently undergoing a mountaintop-to-cavern refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in terrific shape and will reopen in 2026. In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will feature new magic for fans to discover including a journey through the spectacular natural phenomena of the Rainbow Caverns, which may not be as welcoming as they first appear.

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad begins when Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back.

After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an active mine shaft and board your runaway train. As you enter the cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track. Dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.

“Exploding dynamite”

 

[easyrowrdw]

What's in the queue that clues the guests into this backstory?

The queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is filled with elements that reveal the story and mystery behind the ride’s backstory:​

​

Mining Company Office: Guests pass through the headquarters of the Big Thunder Mining Company, with offices filled with mining gear, safety notices, and company documents that reference Barnabas T. Bullion, warnings about the mountain, and the history of mining disasters.​

​

Portraits and Documents: There are portraits of Barnabas T. Bullion himself, along with old-time letters, memos, and newspaper clippings posted on bulletin boards detailing the gold rush, lost miners, and unexplained events.​

​

Equipment and Relics: Themed mining equipment such as ore carts, dynamite crates, and lanterns decorate the queue, along with display cases showing geological samples and “strange artifacts” discovered in the mine.​

​

Interactive Elements: Guests can spin wheels, trigger (simulated) explosions using plungers, and interact with various props that help immerse them in the world of a working and haunted gold mine, including canaries, old mine shafts, and mysterious chambers.​

​

Safety Warnings and Notices: The queue features humorous safety warnings and stern advisories, referencing accidents, flooding, and the supernatural reputation of the mountain, suggesting that something mysterious or even cursed affects the mining operations.​

​

Music and Sound Effects: Atmospheric gold rush-era music and occasional sound effects (like rumbling or cave-ins) are part of the experience, further deepening the sense of place and letting guests know something isn’t quite right.​

​

All these elements collectively build the sense of history, supernatural danger, and greed that form the backstory of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—and hint at why the trains might run wild.​

I remember something about Bullion (Tony Baxter) on the Behind the Attraction episode, but I thought it was referring to the Disneyland version. Where are the portraits and references to supernatural occurrences at Disney World? I've read many of the signs and played with the little spinners and plungers, but have no recollection of the portraits or anything supernatural.

 

[DCBaker]

“Exploding dynamite”

Unfortunately that was there previously - here's how it was worded before the update:

After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an abandoned mine shaft and board your train. As you enter the cursed cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track. Dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the mysterious ghost town of Tumbleweed.

 

[Gusey]

I remember something about Bullion (Tony Baxter) on the Behind the Attraction episode, but I thought it was referring to the Disneyland version. Where are the portraits and references to supernatural occurrences at Disney World? I've read many of the signs and played with the little spinners and plungers, but have no recollection of the portraits or anything supernatural.

It's mainly the letter from Jason Chandler that mentions warnings of the area and that they should stop. Bullion was designed for WDW's queue overhaul in 2013 and his portrait got added to Disneyland's shortly after to tie both attractions together and to the newly developed S.E.A. storyline

 

[easyrowrdw]

It's mainly the letter from Jason Chandler that mentions warnings of the area and that they should stop. Bullion was designed for WDW's queue overhaul in 2013 and his portrait got added to Disneyland's shortly after to tie both attractions together and to the newly developed S.E.A. storyline

Thanks. I'll have to keep an closer eye out next time I ride it.

 

[Delta-7]

It's amazing how some people are complaining about this. I'm glad we are getting the Rainbow Caverns scene. Disneyland basically has the same thing on their version, but here they're adding something to it that ties into the supernatural background of the ride. And honestly, I don't have a problem with that. The cavern as it appeared before the refurb has always been stale looking while the other versions have the colorful, rippling sulfur pools.

Overall, I'm excited they're giving attention to other major areas of the ride, while others only seem concerned about explosion effects on the third lift hill. I hope we get those too, don't get me wrong, but it's been said there's more details to come.

 

[ChrisFL]

It's amazing how some people are complaining about this.

I don't know if there's a specific rule # for this but, if something exists online, there will always be someone to complain about it.

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

It's amazing how some people are complaining about this. I'm glad we are getting the Rainbow Caverns scene.

Unless I'm mistaken, the Rainbow Caverns vibe or something thereof will also be in the Piston Peak attraction. Almost like it's being used to thematically link the two structures together. I guess we'll see.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Rainbow Caverns vibe or something thereof will also be in the Piston Peak attraction. Almost like it's being used to thematically link the two structures together. I guess we'll see.

Yeah they said there would be rainbow pools along a walking path that would be an extension from Big Thunder

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Throw in a new maintenance shed, or no deal.

Cmon. This is ridiculous. There needs to be something more noticeable to enhance guest experience. How about we fill in that gorgeous river that you can see from half the ride and replace it with a mound of dirt and trucks

 

[SpectroMan93]

It's amazing how some people are complaining about this. I'm glad we are getting the Rainbow Caverns scene. Disneyland basically has the same thing on their version, but here they're adding something to it that ties into the supernatural background of the ride. And honestly, I don't have a problem with that. The cavern as it appeared before the refurb has always been stale looking while the other versions have the colorful, rippling sulfur pools.

Overall, I'm excited they're giving attention to other major areas of the ride, while others only seem concerned about explosion effects on the third lift hill. I hope we get those too, don't get me wrong, but it's been said there's more details to come.

Seriously, it’s exhausting to be on here sometimes. When they first announced the lights in the caverns the complaint was, “That’s it?”. Then it was pointed out that they’ll be announcing more details later. And then suddenly the complaint became “They’re doing too much.”

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

“The loud lift hill is an important part of the theme”

It wasn’t an intentional choice. It wasn’t a thematic decision to have the lift hill make noise, it was just an unavoidable thing. To that end, it is not purposefully that loud. It being that loud is a sign of age, wear, and tear.

There’s a lot of changes lately I understand people being upset by. This one seems a little over the top. The lift hill clank is not theming, it’s the sound of a 44 year old roller coaster. If they’re doing a refurb, they need to refurb all of it, and yeah that may mean a quieter lift hill.

 

[Mike S]

“The loud lift hill is an important part of the theme”

It wasn’t an intentional choice. It wasn’t a thematic decision to have the lift hill make noise, it was just an unavoidable thing. To that end, it is not purposefully that loud. It being that loud is a sign of age, wear, and tear.

There’s a lot of changes lately I understand people being upset by. This one seems a little over the top. The lift hill clank is not theming, it’s the sound of a 44 year old roller coaster. If they’re doing a refurb, they need to refurb all of it, and yeah that may mean a quieter lift hill.

I think making the actual mechanism quiet but adding a (quieter) lift sound effect could be neat. Having it be completely silent seems a bit off.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I don't know if there's a specific rule # for this but, if something exists online, there will always be someone to complain about it.

Unpleasable Fanbase - TV Tropes

Sometimes, fanbases are, or appear to be, perennially complaining not just about minute details of the Canon, but about everything. This sometimes relates to fake fannishness: some people just don't like a piece of fiction, yet insist on …

tvtropes.org

 

[Biff215]

“The loud lift hill is an important part of the theme”

It wasn’t an intentional choice. It wasn’t a thematic decision to have the lift hill make noise, it was just an unavoidable thing. To that end, it is not purposefully that loud. It being that loud is a sign of age, wear, and tear.

There’s a lot of changes lately I understand people being upset by. This one seems a little over the top. The lift hill clank is not theming, it’s the sound of a 44 year old roller coaster. If they’re doing a refurb, they need to refurb all of it, and yeah that may mean a quieter lift hill.

It might be quieter than before, and that’s perfectly fine. I’d just argue that a more modern “silent” version would be a downgrade given the theme of the ride.

And let’s be honest, the enclosed space creates an echo chamber that certainly makes it a lot louder than it actually is.

 

[HMF]

How about an A1000 animatronic Barnabas T. Bullion who waves his arms around in the final lift hill?

It would make sense since current Disney Management seems to have as much regard for Baxter as they do for Walt so I guess now would be the perfect time to make a Tony Baxter AA.

 

[willtravel]

"haunted" and "abandoned

I did not realize after all these years that this is what the attraction was about.

 

[lazyboy97o]

“The loud lift hill is an important part of the theme”

It wasn’t an intentional choice. It wasn’t a thematic decision to have the lift hill make noise, it was just an unavoidable thing. To that end, it is not purposefully that loud. It being that loud is a sign of age, wear, and tear.

There’s a lot of changes lately I understand people being upset by. This one seems a little over the top. The lift hill clank is not theming, it’s the sound of a 44 year old roller coaster. If they’re doing a refurb, they need to refurb all of it, and yeah that may mean a quieter lift hill.

An anti-rollback device clicking is not at all a sign of age, wear or tear. It’s just how they work.