News Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack

[bmr1591]

There's just gonna be the unavoidable Winter 2025 downtime for Tiana unless they reallyyyy wanna roll some dice and hold off that refurbishment until BTM is back up. I just think that would be an optics nightmare if Country Bears was the only thing open in Frontierland for the Christmas period. I guess if Tiana closes in January for the middling post-Christmas crowds it'd work?

I think during a season where crowds will be down due to Epic opening, it’s wise to knock out all your big refurbs, even if that means multiple rides down at once. That way, when 2027 rolls around, everything will be ready to roll with new lands joining the fun.

These are the same people who brought Hollywood Studios down to four rides.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I thought the plan was to permanently close ROA the same time as Big Thunder went down for it's refurb.

I’m wondering if the current construction is actually in prep for big thunder - and anything beyond is still around a year away?

They did say “guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.”

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

There's just gonna be the unavoidable Winter 2025 downtime for Tiana

By this are you meaning like January/February of next year?

 

[peter11435]

Many people doubted those of us who said this was coming. Timelines shifted slightly.

 

[Markiewong]

I am hearing Vekoma is doing the retrack.

They also did the renovation in Paris in 2015/2016 which lasted for 13 months. I expect a similar timeline here.

 

[JD80]

Many people doubted those of us who said this was coming. Timelines shifted slightly.

Was anyone doubting this?

 

[Surferboy567]

It is a little disappointing to be losing BTM for a little over a year, but it is definitely needed. Hope they give it the care it deserves. They definitely need to do the same to Space Mountain as well.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Was anyone doubting this?

Only the timeline as far as I can remember. Everyone agrees it’s necessary. It just didn’t make much sense to close while it was still hot and TBA was unreliable.

 

[LSLS]

There's just gonna be the unavoidable Winter 2025 downtime for Tiana unless they reallyyyy wanna roll some dice and hold off that refurbishment until BTM is back up. I just think that would be an optics nightmare if Country Bears was the only thing open in Frontierland for the Christmas period. I guess if Tiana closes in January for the middling post-Christmas crowds it'd work?

There could be a read into the anticipated crowd levels if they do indeed decide to take both offline for the holidays.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I am hearing Vekoma is doing the retrack.

They also did the renovation in Paris in 2015/2016 which lasted for 13 months. I expect a similar timeline here.

They manufacture the track but they don’t do the actual installation. They generally don’t even provide shipping.

 

[JD80]

Only the timeline as far as I can remember. Everyone agrees it’s necessary. It just didn’t make much sense to close while it was still hot and TBA was unreliable.

Yeah that is my memory as well.

 

[wdwmagic]

Was anyone doubting this?

Maybe not here, but on the wider internet people were in denial.

 

[wdwmagic]

They manufacture the track but they don’t do the actual installation. They generally don’t even provide shipping.

I believe Coastal Steel are doing the install.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Not to go too far off topic... but while we're on the topic of retracking... we all knew BTMRR would eventually get the full re-track, so now that that is confirmed... Space Mountain? I mean, it's 5 years older than BTMRR so the retrack must be coming eventually (and sooner rather than later)... right?

 

[James Alucobond]

Not to go too far off topic... but while we're on the topic of retracking... we all knew BTMRR would eventually get the full re-track, so now that that is confirmed... Space Mountain? I mean, it's 5 years older than BTMRR so the retrack must be coming eventually (and sooner rather than later)... right?

I have a feeling Tomorrowland is pretty high on the redo list after this round, but I’ve also been feeling that for quite a while, so …

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I have a feeling Tomorrowland is pretty high on the redo list after this round, but I’ve also been feeling that for quite a while, so …

At this point I wonder if Josh is convincing Iger not to bother with Tomorrowland so he doesn’t mess it up on either coast?

Both Tomorrowlands are in such sad shape and could be fixed relatively easy - but it’s not a big shiny IP e-ticket that will fix them, so it’s not the Bob Iger way.

 

[peter11435]

Nobody doubted it was coming. People just (rightfully) doubted the timeline.

There were people that doubted that was happening before SM. And there were people that did not think it would be over a year.

 

[space42]

There were people that doubted that was happening before SM. And there were people that did not think it would be over a year.

From page 14 of this thread…

Has there ever been a thread so obviously BS that so many people went right along with for so long?

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills... Is anyone going to ask why on Earth Thunder would be getting retracked in the first place? There's absolutely nothing wrong with the ride experience. My 4 year old son and my elderly mother-in-law all ride it comfortably.

 

[Raineman]

So, at some point in 2025: Liberty Belle gone forever, TSI closed forever, BTMRR refurb, Splash gone forever, CBJ changed alot. Looks like Frontierland will be easily skippable next year.

 

[dmc493]

So, at some point in 2025: Liberty Belle gone forever, TSI closed forever, BTMRR refurb, Splash gone forever, CBJ changed alot. Looks like Frontierland will be easily skippable next year.

In the eyes of most tourists though - this is just one attraction under refurbishment and two they can still enjoy