As part of a Good Morning America segment, Wyatt Winter, Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared new details about the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refresh at Magic Kingdom. As we’ve previously extensively documented, the entire roller coaster track has been removed and rebuilt, but that’s not all!
New Details for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refresh
In a new video from Good Morning America, Imagineer Wyatt Winter shares some new details about the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refresh at Magic Kingdom. In the short segment, Winter details changes to the ride, such as:
- All-new trains
- Refreshed Audio-Animatronics throughout the attraction
- Returning effects that haven’t been present for years
- Rainbow caverns that come to life at the mountain pushes back against our presence
- Actual gold out on the mountain for the first time ever
One effect that Disney fans assumed would be part of the refresh is the exploding finale scene present in other versions of the attraction in other theme parks. While Walt Disney World hasn’t confirmed or denied that the exploding finale will come to Magic Kingdom, there are hints that it is not part of the plans.
When it reopens sometime this Spring, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will also have a reimagined storyline. In this new version of the ride, the track and thrills will remain the same, but the mines will no longer be abandoned. Instead, Disney has updated the attraction’s backstory to say that the mines are very much active, and Disney has removed references to a “ghost town” in the attraction.
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, then swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.
Your rip-roaring adventure proves that some legends are true. You’re sure to have a real blast!
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.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
