BTMRR down for 10 mos.

[Peanut Giggleface]

I just read that BTMRR will be down for a 10 month refurb beginning in January. Does anyone know why it will be down for so long?

 

[rewardsinlife]

Read it on another thread. They are re-doing everything. The cars, the track, the safety system, and I think they are going to try to make it more ADA compliant as well. Obviously, since the accidental death and many defective safety features since, it is in Disneys best interst to start from scratch on this one with all new safety innovations on place. :good-vibes

 

[cmwade77]

I just read that BTMRR will be down for a 10 month refurb beginning in January. Does anyone know why it will be down for so long?

This has been in the rumor mill for a while, so it's no surprise to hear about it finally getting done.

Basically, they need to widen the loading and unloading areas to handle ECVs and Wheelchairs in a safer manner. Doing this means that they will need to redo the queue. From all that has been said, the new queue will either eliminate the stairs or put in a lift/elevator and become a mainstreamed queue as well. Redoing the queue means they need to redo the track in sections. Instead of just replacing the sections that need modifications, they are going to completely replace the tracks. I have heard these items from numerous people, so I tend to believe that this is what is being done.

Additionally, I just read that Al Lutz has said that they are bringing in Tony Baxter to help plus the ride with new elements. Since his article is the only one that I have heard this from, I am not sure how likely it is to happen. But it would make sense to do so.

 

[theokris]

i just hope they do a better job then they did on the matterhorn, big thunder is a family favorite for us ....hope for the best

 

[cmwade77]

i just hope they do a better job then they did on the matterhorn, big thunder is a family favorite for us ....hope for the best

Well, there's no talk of new ride vehicles, so I doubt that will be an issue. Although, I still have yet to go on the Matterhorn since it changed.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

This has been in the rumor mill for a while, so it's no surprise to hear about it finally getting done.

Basically, they need to widen the loading and unloading areas to handle ECVs and Wheelchairs in a safer manner. Doing this means that they will need to redo the queue. From all that has been said, the new queue will either eliminate the stairs or put in a lift/elevator and become a mainstreamed queue as well. Redoing the queue means they need to redo the track in sections. Instead of just replacing the sections that need modifications, they are going to completely replace the tracks. I have heard these items from numerous people, so I tend to believe that this is what is being done.

Additionally, I just read that Al Lutz has said that they are bringing in Tony Baxter to help plus the ride with new elements. Since his article is the only one that I have heard this from, I am not sure how likely it is to happen. But it would make sense to do so.

Thanks for the info.

 

[keltiesmom]

I am so bummed to hear this, BTMRR is my favorite ride and we're going in feb

 

[aggiegirl1234]

i just hope they do a better job then they did on the matterhorn, big thunder is a family favorite for us ....hope for the best

I was there last week. Thunder Mountain was shut down for quite awhile but we finally got to ride it towards the end of the day. I have to say, it was much jerkier than the Disney World version, which happens to be my favorite roller coaster. I kept saying "ouch!" during my ride at Disneyland and wished it was over more quickly I was very excited about the Matterhorn but that one was even worse! The beginning of Goofy's Flight School also beat me up quite a bit. Is it just me? Anyway, I hope during the refurb they smooth out Thunder Mountain a bit!

 

[ztonyg]

I was there last week. Thunder Mountain was shut down for quite awhile but we finally got to ride it towards the end of the day. I have to say, it was much jerkier than the Disney World version, which happens to be my favorite roller coaster. I kept saying "ouch!" during my ride at Disneyland and wished it was over more quickly I was very excited about the Matterhorn but that one was even worse! The beginning of Goofy's Flight School also beat me up quite a bit. Is it just me? Anyway, I hope during the refurb they smooth out Thunder Mountain a bit!

I have had the pleasure of going to WDW and DLR both within the past month. I rode the WDW version twice and while it's smooth as silk, it's almost too smooth for a "mine train" ride. The DL version, unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish as they shut the ride down and escorted us off when we got to the 2nd lift hill.

 

[ValpoCory]

I was there last week. Thunder Mountain was shut down for quite awhile but we finally got to ride it towards the end of the day. I have to say, it was much jerkier than the Disney World version, which happens to be my favorite roller coaster. I kept saying "ouch!" during my ride at Disneyland and wished it was over more quickly I was very excited about the Matterhorn but that one was even worse! The beginning of Goofy's Flight School also beat me up quite a bit. Is it just me? Anyway, I hope during the refurb they smooth out Thunder Mountain a bit!

Maybe it's just me, but it also seems the DL version is faster than the WDW version. I thought it was much more tame and young kid (3-4 year old) friendly at WDW.

 

[rszdtrvl]

DH is more bummed about GRR being down during our trip. But he said it is worth it if the parks are less crowded (we have gone in the past during spring break and I warned him that more rides will be down and park hours are shorter in February, when we are going next year).

 

[georgiesmum]

Everytime we've been to Disneyland for one reason or another we've missed BMTR. We're going again in March and were determined to do it this time. Apparently not!

 

[Mary09]

A CM there last week told me the changes were just going to be routine track replacement/maintenance. Not that I think they're all in the know.

We all find the Matterhorn to be too lame and jerky for us and all find the DL BMTRR to be a lot more fun than the WDW one.

 

[NMcowboy]

bummer.... mabye it won't take the whole 10 months.... wishful thinking...