Roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma has confirmed its role in the recent refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. The company detailed its partnership with Disney in social media posts earlier today. Here’s what the company had to say.
Vekoma Confirms Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Track Replacement Project
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Vekoma has publicly confirmed it supplied the new track and trains for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- A follow-up post adds detail on the engineering work and the ride’s lowered 38-inch height requirement
- Vekoma frames the project as a revitalization rather than a replacement of the original ride
Vekoma Confirms Its Role in the Refurbishment
Vekoma first confirmed its involvement in the Big Thunder refresh in a social media post. The company wrote that it is “proud to have partnered with Disney on the refurbishment of the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World.” Vekoma has since elaborated in a more detailed post. The company describes the project as “a careful balance of engineering innovation and respect for the attraction’s rich heritage.”
Vekoma highlights the new track and passenger trains as “enhancing ride performance and reliability while preserving the classic storytelling.” Vekoma promised, “smoother adventures while preserving the beloved experience guests know and love.” That description matches what we felt firsthand when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened on May 3rd. Crews had completely replaced the track during a 16-month closure, and the difference was obvious immediately.
Vekoma’s post also credits “advanced engineering and construction methodologies” for the work. That, the company says, helps the attraction meet “the latest industry standards” while still delivering the ride guests already knew.
Vekoma also touches on accessibility. The post notes that the ride “reopened with a reduced height requirement of 38 inches, allowing even more lil prospectors and their families to climb aboard this timeless classic.” Disney had previously announced the lower height requirement ahead of the reopening, dropping it from 40 inches to 38 inches, and credited the new track and refreshed ride vehicles for making the change possible at the time.
A Legacy Preserved, Not Replaced
Vekoma frames its work on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as a revitalization of an existing legend, not a replacement, and describes the project as an example of “the value of sustainable reinvestment in existing attractions.” By revitalizing rather than replacing the ride, the company says, “its legacy is preserved while extending its operational future for years to come.” Vekoma closes with the tagline: “Because true legends aren’t replaced, they evolve.”
That framing tracks with how Disney has talked about the project. The refurbishment kept the ride’s overall layout and story intact while updating the infrastructure underneath it, including a new gold finale scene and an enhanced Rainbow Caverns moment near the start of the ride. New track and new trains made those updates possible, according to Disney.
We are proud to celebrate another successful collaboration with Disney, delivering a major refurbishment of one of the world’s most iconic family attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World. Working within the constraints of an existing themed environment, the project required a careful balance of engineering innovation and respect for the attraction’s rich heritage.
A key element of the refurbishment included the installation of a new track and passenger trains, enhancing ride performance and reliability while preserving the classic storytelling and signature hootin’ an’ hollerin’ adventure guests know and love.
Through advanced engineering and construction methodologies, Vekoma has helped ensure that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad continues to deliver memorable experiences for generations to come while meeting the latest industry standards. Following the attraction’s enhancements and a comprehensive safety review, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has reopened with a reduced height requirement of 38 inches, allowing even more lil prospectors and their families to climb aboard this timeless classic.
The project also demonstrates the value of sustainable reinvestment in existing attractions. By revitalizing rather than replacing a beloved ride, its legacy is preserved while extending its operational future for years to come. Because true legends aren’t replaced, they evolve.
Story So Far
- Crews began removing the original roller coaster track on January 8, 2025, and installed the first new piece of track on January 30th of that year.
- By July 2025, the massive crane supporting the track work was removed from the site, marking the completion of the track replacement portion of the project.
- In April 2026, Disney announced Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38 inches, down from 40 inches.
- The attraction reopened on May 3, 2026 after a 16-month refurbishment that included the full track replacement, new ride vehicles, and updated scenes throughout the mountain.
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!