MK Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack

[Disney Analyst]

FIRST LOOK: First New Track Piece Installed for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Track Replacement Project

Walt Disney World has installed the first new piece of roller coaster track during the lengthy Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment

blogmickey.com

That was fast.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Jesus they're making really quick work of this

 

[wdwmagic]

Jesus they're making really quick work of this

Indeed. The crew seemed to be very well prepared and have a very clear plan of action. I'm really surprised we haven't seen the new track being delivered or stored (aerial shots).

 

[lazyboy97o]

Steel coasters are modular and use a lot of standard parts and methods for installation. They’re bolted together. The supports are often or can be standard steel pipe. Some manufacturers will sometimes even let you source the supports from elsewhere.

 

[Drew the Disney Dude]

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Indeed. The crew seemed to be very well prepared and have a very clear plan of action. I'm really surprised we haven't seen the new track being delivered or stored (aerial shots).

I'm telling you, they're going to rush this as hard as they can. I think this is going to open early 2026, as soon as TBA goes down for refurb (maybe even sooner). I'll bet that's what they're aiming for. Because with TBA as erratic as it is, and the potential for more construction walls blocking the ROA in the near future, it's going to be a wasteland until they get BTM open again.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Looking at some articles online, when IOA redid The Hulk, they closed in early September, only started removing track end of September, and it was only into November that all the track was removed.

They installed new track from January-March, and it reopened in August.

This already seems to be moving faster, and while I assume this is a bit more complex working with the mountain... could it reopen sooner than thought?

 

[Moth]

Looking at some articles online, when IOA redid The Hulk, they closed in early September, only started removing track end of September, and it was only into November that all the track was removed.

They installed new track from January-March, and it reopened in August.

This already seems to be moving faster, and while I assume this is a bit more complex working with the mountain... could it reopen sooner than though?

I was thinking the same, but I feel the new effects they want to add will have them open on time (early next year).

 

[ToTBellHop]

I was thinking the same, but I feel the new effects they want to add will have them open on time (early next year).

Plus, I presume there will be a lot of rock work replacement after the track is in. With a brand new track, they’ll want a good deal of time to test. Disney puts coasters through a lot with all those trains.

Like Steve, I’m shocked we haven’t seen piles of track in aerial photos. Where are they keeping all that track?

 

[larryz]

Plus, I presume there will be a lot of rock work replacement after the track is in. With a brand new track, they’ll want a good deal of time to test. Disney puts coasters through a lot with all those trains.

Like Steve, I’m shocked we haven’t seen piles of track in aerial photos. Where are they keeping all that track?

I would look along Floridian Way, by the fireworks launch racks just N of the MK

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

I would look along Floridian Way, by the fireworks launch racks just N of the MK

Or 7474 Chancellor Drive

Thread 'What is Disney doing at 7474 Chancellor Drive??'

Jun 21, 2024

@Unbanshee @BaymaxFan @danlb_2000 From the permits thread.

• TheCoasterNerd
• Replies: 35
• Forum: WDW Parks General Discussion

• 

 

[danlb_2000]

Indeed. The crew seemed to be very well prepared and have a very clear plan of action. I'm really surprised we haven't seen the new track being delivered or stored (aerial shots).

Yeah, I wonder where it is being staged, there isn't enough room where the crane is to stage all of it.

 

[Delta-7]

I thought it was rumored a while back that this both a track and train replacement? Are new trains still happening for BTMRR?

 

[JoeCamel]

Looking at some articles online, when IOA redid The Hulk, they closed in early September, only started removing track end of September, and it was only into November that all the track was removed.

They installed new track from January-March, and it reopened in August.

This already seems to be moving faster, and while I assume this is a bit more complex working with the mountain... could it reopen sooner than thought?

Hulk rebuilt all the footers in the water so it took longer, looks like only a few of these will need to be rebuilt

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/locker-rentals/

I thought there was some speculation around a warehouse in town that showed up on a shipping report a few months ago, maybe they just stored them inside and truck a few over as needed. This will slow down drastically once they reach the other parts of the ride. Low hanging fruit for the present

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Hulk rebuilt all the footers in the water so it took longer, looks like only a few of these will need to be rebuilt

I thought there was some speculation around a warehouse in town that showed up on a shipping report a few months ago, maybe they just stored them inside and truck a few over as needed. This will slow down drastically once they reach the other parts of the ride. Low hanging fruit for the present

Yeah, the warehouse is the 7474 Chancellor I mentioned above

 

[Delta-7]

Are new trains for the ride still happening?

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Are new trains for the ride still happening?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Are new trains for the ride still happening?

That’s what the manifests suggest.

Track and trains.

View attachment 833988

View attachment 835025

We are up to: 62,275KG or 137,292.874lbs aka 68.64tons.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Are new trains for the ride still happening?

Believe so.

 

[JD80]

If you were going to the trouble of buying a new track, my first inclination would be purchasing new ride vehicles is safer and more reliable than attempting to retrofit older vehicles. Not to mention syncing maintenance cycles and life expectancy.

Then again, the tracks may all be the same and it would be an easy process to reuse them.