Big Thunder Mountain Railroad CLOSED

[Minuet888]

According to Screamscape Big Thunder is going under a major surprise refurb with a complete re-tracking of the ride and everything. This is supposed to start May 31st with an undtermined re-opening date but cast members say the refurb could take from 9 months to a full year.
Here is the stuff from the website:

2012/2013 - Major Attraction Rehab / Big Thunder Mt. - Rumor & Speculation - (4/13/11) I’ve got a small update to the Disneyland Rehab schedule, which has a very interesting addition. Big Thunder is listed to close down starting May 31st and is listed as remaingly closed through to the end of the posted schedule, up to June 7th, with no reopening date. So I’ve got to wonder… along with everyone else, but is this the start of the big rumored rehab?
(3/29/11) A reader went by the park the other day and discovered the queue at Big Thunder Mountain to have been changed to use a strange new route. Upon asking the CMs about this, they were told that the changes were experiments to help plan out a possible future change to the queue. They also asked about the rumored re-tracking of the ride itself which was actually confirmed. They reported that Big Thunder would be closed between 9 to 12 months to perform the rehab, which would see it shut down for most (if not all) of 2012.

 

[sonnyjane]

According to Screamscape Big Thunder is going under a major surprise refurb with a complete re-tracking of the ride and everything. This is supposed to start May 31st with an undtermined re-opening date but cast members say the refurb could take from 9 months to a full year.
Here is the stuff from the website:

2012/2013 - Major Attraction Rehab / Big Thunder Mt. - Rumor & Speculation - (4/13/11) I’ve got a small update to the Disneyland Rehab schedule, which has a very interesting addition. Big Thunder is listed to close down starting May 31st and is listed as remaingly closed through to the end of the posted schedule, up to June 7th, with no reopening date. So I’ve got to wonder… along with everyone else, but is this the start of the big rumored rehab?
(3/29/11) A reader went by the park the other day and discovered the queue at Big Thunder Mountain to have been changed to use a strange new route. Upon asking the CMs about this, they were told that the changes were experiments to help plan out a possible future change to the queue. They also asked about the rumored re-tracking of the ride itself which was actually confirmed. They reported that Big Thunder would be closed between 9 to 12 months to perform the rehab, which would see it shut down for most (if not all) of 2012.

Um, I'm confused. That article says it might be closed for much of 2012. We're not even halfway into 2011. Are they saying that the long rehab is supposed to happen next year?

Also, regarding the "strange new route", last time I was there last month, they changed where the FP people mix in with the regular line. When I went most recently, they let the FP people basically hop into the regular line right at the turnstile instead of where they used to mix, which was farther back in line. I quite liked it, since it meant an even shorter wait for me. I'm not sure what other "configurations" they are trying.

 

[blabbermouth]

Aww, I'll be sad if I have to miss it on my August trip! But yes, with the contradictory information, it's hard to know how much to believe.

 

[sandysue]

We'll be sure to hit this ride on the 1st day of our visit 5/30, which is the last day it's open for the rest of our trip... and possibly a long long time.

 

[skiingfast]

There has been a rumor that BTMRR will get a major rehab for over a year which likely spurred this speculation.

But if you think this is the start of said rumor, you're are 95% wrong.

Disney doesn't start major rehabs at the start of summer. It starts them in the beginning of fall or after Christmas.

For recent examples of this look at. Mullholland Madness that is going to reopen as Goofy's SKy School. Splash Mountain. ROA rethem that happens a couple years ago. The Disndayland Hotel. Golden Dreams to Little Mermaid, it was a little odd though because while it closed in fall it wasn't torn down until Spring.

Here's one example of an attraction that close during summer. Planned to take ten months. Star Tour closed late July after the core of summer visitation so it could open in time for this summer.


You just don't give up most of your business when you have the choice to lessen the hit you will take.

 

[ktlm]

Rumor has it that it will actually reopen on June 9. I guess we will find out in a few days when the calendar goes that far. My DD (5) is in the minority, but she will be thrilled if Big Thunder is closed when we are there. She has refused to ride on our last DL and WDW trips (which we finally discovered is because it has the word Thunder in the name We have now tried to explain there is no actual thunder). She grudgingly promised that on our next DL trip she would try it and not chicken out. She will be jumping for joy if it is closed and she doesn't have to make good on her promise. It would be just my luck if I can't hold her to it. Sorry for everyone else though.

 

[DreamtheImpossible]

I certainly hope not. Big Thunder is one of my favorite Disneyland rides and if it's closed for nearly a year, I'll be pretty bummed when I make our trip in October. (We only get to go once a year if we're lucky!)

It seems sketchy though, closing a ride right before summer.

 

[Minuet888]

I admit some of it is a rumor BUT Disney has pulled surprise rehabs before and I thought I would just put it out there as apparently it is official that is will close on May 30th (this from a castmember) the re-opening date is what is in question. Maybe this is a short closure in order to get information (measurements whatever) for the major closure/rehab?

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

9-12 months doesn't sound so bad when you compare it to the 2 years Space Mountain was down to put in a new track.

 

[Mouse13]

According to the schedule posted at Disneyland.com, BTMRR will reopen on Friday, June 10.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

According to the schedule posted at Disneyland.com, BTMRR will reopen on Friday, June 10.

Good News! That is our last day!

 

[Gisele]

Now that is good news, regarding its re-opening. And that many people will not be missing out on it after all.

 

[abbie13_15]

According to the schedule posted at Disneyland.com, BTMRR will reopen on Friday, June 10.

Thanks for checking into that. Here is the link if you want to see it for yourself. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/daily/#/default/2011/06/09. (It's at the bottom) On the 10th it is no longer posted. Great because this is when we arrive...hoping it is on time.

 

[jacs1234]

It's one of our favourite rides so I'm really glad it should be open in Nov/Dec.

 

[frijolefrito]

I have an august trip too they better not do this to me

 

[Minuet888]

sorry if I ruffled feathers I', glad that its reopwning soon but at least I informed some about a small closure?

 

[Gisele]

Hopefully it will re-open on time. Or close to the schedule,anyway.

 

[jacs1234]

sorry if I ruffled feathers I', glad that its reopwning soon but at least I informed some about a small closure?

You had me scared