WDRR Doomed Again?

[gmi3804]

Any opinions out there about the Walt Disney Railroad potentially being closed during the Splash Mountain re-do? The Frontierland station runs right through the existing entrance and queue. Will it be enough to just put up construction walls? The entire queue will likely be re-themed, after all, though it doesn't seem like any railroad structure will need to be changed.

 

[HopperFan]

Any opinions out there about the Walt Disney Railroad being closed for another two years while the Splash Mountain re-do is set to start soon? The Frontierland station runs right through the existing entrance and queue. That entire queue will likely be re-themed, after all.

I don't think it will impact the railroad. There is not a new structure being built and the railroad is pretty protected. MAYBE that station will close or perhaps just a view into the courtyard blocked off.

Personally would love the station closed and the backside looking in to courtyard have a NOLA feel to it, but that is too much to hope for.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Is there a credible source about it potentially closing down again for long periods of time due to Splash?

I thought I saw information that a few weeks ago they were testing the train by Tron. That would seem strange to keep it closed down for a long period of time after just testing it. You'd think they would save the testing for long after the retheme started on Splash and it was about to be open again.

Because Splash isn't being redone into a completely different attraction like a tear down and new build I'm not sure they would need to keep the railroad closed for that retheme. Scrims could be put up and some walls as well and potentially keeping the station closed until further along in the retheme. I could absolutely see short term interment closures while work is done on parts that would become a guest safety issue.

Never say never of course but I kinda don't see the point in reopening the railroad at all as much as I love it if it would be closed for potentially 5-6 years. It's already been 4 years so far.

 

[gmi3804]

Is there a credible source about it potentially closing down again for long periods of time due to Splash?

No talk of it closing, as far as I've seen. I was wondering if it was a possibility. Guess we'll find out soon enough. I edited my post to be more clear.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No talk of it closing, as far as I've seen. I was wondering if it was a possibility. Guess we'll find out soon enough. I edited my post to be more clear.

It would be a shame if they did keep it closed but I sincerely hope they try as hard as they can not to. Would go a long way to curry favor IMO with guests to have it open with Tron, lessen the sting of an attraction being down as well.

 

[gmi3804]

It would be a shame if they did keep it closed but I sincerely hope they try as hard as they can not to. Would go a long way to curry favor IMO with guests to have it open with Tron, lessen the sting of an attraction being down as well.

I'm sure it'll be more of a logistical decision than a "guest satisfaction" one. I can see it going down temporarily, while that area is getting major work done, and not during the entire re-do.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

To my memory, they never closed the RR during the annual refurb of splash mountain. I can't imagine what is essentially a re-theme would cause it to close

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

To my memory, they never closed the RR during the annual refurb of splash mountain. I can't imagine what is essentially a re-theme would cause it to close

I agree but the annual refurb was never this long and wasn't about changing anything out so I understand the pondering of what could happen.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would not anticipate it affecting the RR other than anticipating them blocking the view of the re-theming.

 

[1lilspark]

Since splash is mostly interior changes I expect they will just put up scrim or a wall

 

[Brian Noble]

Thinking about it, I don't think there will be a reason to close the tracks themselves for much time. Blocking the view into the Mountain and having construction walls between the station and the Mountain would probably do. I suspect they could close the FrL Station without completely closing the railroad. The might do the former for a bit, but doubt they'd need to do the latter. Unlike Tron, the structure of the Mountain (and the tunnel through it) are already in place.

 

[DLgal]

The Disneyland railroad goes through Splash Mountain as well and the train always runs while it is down for refurbishment. They put up a scrim when you go through the tunnel so its just blacked out.

 

[gharter]

Agree with previous opinions that the rehab of Splash Mountain shouldn't impact the Railroad. I would expect to see walls up around that area.

 

[gmi3804]

Thinking about it, I don't think there will be a reason to close the tracks themselves for much time. Blocking the view into the Mountain and having construction walls between the station and the Mountain would probably do. I suspect they could close the FrL Station without completely closing the railroad. The might do the former for a bit, but doubt they'd need to do the latter. Unlike Tron, the structure of the Mountain (and the tunnel through it) are already in place.

Right. It's not a re-route or tunnel addition, but the area under the tracks will likely be re-imagined in some way, so maybe there'll be a shorter term closing at some point, at least of the Frontierland station.

Intersting to see the original, quaint pre-Splash station, before all the land was excavated around it. The station is still at the same elevation, but everything under it is gone now.

 

[RoseGold]

You can see how much work they put in on the train going by Tron from Barnstormer. I can't see them doing that and then messing up the Frontierland side.

 

[fla4fun]

Right. It's not a re-route or tunnel addition, but the area under the tracks will likely be re-imagined in some way, so maybe there'll be a shorter term closing at some point, at least of the Frontierland station.

Intersting to see the original, quaint pre-Splash station, before all the land was excavated around it. The station is still at the same elevation, but everything under it is gone now.

I loved the original station! I never thought about the fact that it the new one had to be at the same elevation as the old one, but it has to be since it’s all level along that side. I remember using that original station before either one of the mountains were built.

 

[WEDWDW]

Daily testing continues!