MK Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack

[Delta-7]

Yeah no I’m happy that they’re moving quickly to get this done. Thank god it’s not taking like 2-3 years. I’m just worried if this pace means they won’t be giving attention to atmosphere in other areas like the rainbow pools in the cavern or the train sound effects (I mentioned this before but I’ll keep it short). God I hope I’m overthinking.

 

[jpeden]

I feel like this is going significantly faster than expected. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't feel like they've put this much speed into a project in a LONG time.

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

I suspect the speed is related to the contractors. I’m guessing these contractors are specialized and are specific to the track effort and want to get the tracking done.

The rest of the changes may be individual projects/contractors and be more of a pace we’re used to.

 

[Disstevefan1]

When did Disney say this would be completed? Winter 2026?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I suspect the speed is related to the contractors. I’m guessing these contractors are specialized and are specific to the track effort and want to get the tracking done.

The rest of the changes may be individual projects/contractors and be more of a pace we’re used to.

Or, like with pretty much every project, it’s just work that can easily be seen.

 

[Raineman]

Photos from today:

In this pic-either someone is welding, or they are finding a nice hidden spot to puff-puff-pass on their lunch break.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Are they going to repaint the mountain like they did a couple years ago as part of this refurb?

 

[Splashin' Ryan]

Are they going to repaint the mountain like they did a couple years ago as part of this refurb?

Not 100% sure but I doubt it. There's areas around the ride where track is not close to at all and I would think they would've already started that if that was the case. Something tells me they'll wait until Cars area/mini-land/ride is almost done and then repaint it to make it fit better with those surroundings. It's almost certain BTMR will have to close again to rework the outer areas of the ride and rockwork bordering the river considering how some of the water and track features run into the river and border it directly.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Not 100% sure but I doubt it. There's areas around the ride where track is not close to at all and I would think they would've already started that if that was the case. Something tells me they'll wait until Cars area/mini-land/ride is almost done and then repaint it to make it fit better with those surroundings. It's almost certain BTMR will have to close again to rework the outer areas of the ride and rockwork bordering the river considering how some of the water and track features run into the river and border it directly.

My guess with the track in the river is that, since the closures are currently scheduled to overlap, they'll just fill in the river while BTMRR is closed for this refurb, instead of having to close it again - do that area of the river first, for operations' sake

 

[MJL92]

Any word of a remodel of the queue lines? That standby queue is among the most miserable on property.

 

[mikeymouse]

No track replacement. Its being changed to a walk thru attraction. Mind the gap.

 

[gerarar]

Currently at WDW for the week and was at MK today. Rode the Liberty Belle and Train, as well went on TSI (probably for the last time) and got some shots of the ongoing refurbishment and track replacement.

New track has been installed since the last picture update here, mostly near the western town set pieces.

Also new foundations were being poured for the previously demolished maintenence shed/housing for BTMR today. Kinda hard to see through the bushes but all sorts of activity there.

Other pics.

Ladder working on the queue roofing..

 

[JoeCamel]

No track replacement. Its being changed to a walk thru attraction. Mind the gap.

This is America use the proper terminology!

 

[ddisneyd]

Maybe this will be finished early?

 

[Garyjames220]

Anyone think is any hope of this being completed for my trip at the start of December

 

[FigmentFan82]

Maybe this will be finished early?

I believe speculation is they are planning installation of updated show scenes as well. I do not know if this is true or not, but even thought the new track install may be completed fairly soon, the attraction may not come back online for quite some time.

 

[DCBaker]

Here's a brief slow-motion look at new track from the train:

 

[TrippedUp]

I believe speculation is they are planning installation of updated show scenes as well. I do not know if this is true or not, but even thought the new track install may be completed fairly soon, the attraction may not come back online for quite some time.

I Suspect the open areas were seeing are going to be the easiest part. That being said, theyre clearly trying to move the crane parts as fast as possible. Using a mobile crane and prioritizing the lifts shows that. It never crossed my mind that they wouldn't use a tower. Getting that thing out of there as quickly as possible is to be applauded, for sure. If you look at active in park construction sites: astro orbiter, this, and dinoland, theyve been moving really fast. Lets not talk about Toy Story covered seating. That project appears to be financed with whatever's in the till at the end of the day.

 

[JoeCamel]

I Suspect the open areas were seeing are going to be the easiest part. That being said, theyre clearly trying to move the crane parts as fast as possible. Using a mobile crane and prioritizing the lifts shows that. It never crossed my mind that they wouldn't use a tower. Getting that thing out of there as quickly as possible is to be applauded, for sure. If you look at active in park construction sites: astro orbiter, this, and dinoland, theyve been moving really fast. Lets not talk about Toy Story covered seating. That project appears to be financed with whatever's in the till at the end of the day.

Or it just may be that this location is physically unsuitable to install a tower crane

 

[dmc493]

I'm curious how long they'll need to go thru testing, there's the safety aspect of testing after the retrack which I'm assuming will be extensive, and then another layer of testing which might include any show changes like the potential explosion scene. Anyone have a good idea how long testing has taken on other coasters that were retracked?