Work continues on Magic Kingdom Park’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster as Walt Disney World Resort overhauls its Frontierland area.
In the next few years, Frontierland will be nearly unrecognizable to long-time Disney Park guests. Walt Disney World Resort has already replaced the original Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade with a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge, rethemed Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and debuted the refreshed Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
Walt Disney Imagineers have also filed permits to fill in the Rivers of America and bulldoze Tom Sawyer Island, two original areas of Magic Kingdom Park. In their place, Disney will build two all-new Cars (2006) attractions, forever changing the landscape of Frontierland.
Work continues beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where Walt Disney Imagineers are preparing for Magic Kingdom Park’s largest expansion ever: a Disney Villains Land. Although this new area won’t be part of Frontierland, Walt Disney World Resort clearly anticipates increased traffic to the area when the new land opens.
To prepare for increased foot traffic to Frontierland, Magic Kingdom Park is currently working on the longest-ever refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The roller coaster closed in January and is expected to remain closed until early 2026, when it will premiere a little “new magic.”
Walt Disney World Resort didn’t provide much public information about the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment, but rumors swirled about a track refurbishment when a large crane arrived in Frontierland earlier this year. That speculation was confirmed a few weeks ago when Disney Park guests spotted new steel tracks arriving at Magic Kingdom Park on flatbeds. Check out this photo from @fantasylandnewsblog on Instagram:
Over the last few weeks, guests riding the Walt Disney World Railroad have spotted crews replacing some exterior Big Thunder Mountain Railroad tracks. Scaffolding surrounded much of the attraction, suggesting that Disney had a long way to go before the track replacement was complete.
On Tuesday, WDWNT shared an update on the ongoing track replacement. According to the report, crews have placed fresh tracks on the roller coaster’s second lift hill. Scaffolding and red tape remain in the area, suggesting workers haven’t finished construction on the hill.
Guests also spotted workers in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue. Tarps and cones have been placed in the line, although it’s unclear what exactly crews are doing.
Despite construction walls, Magic Kingdom Park visitors can spot work on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from both the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Which part of the Frontierland modernization is your favorite? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!
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