Big Thunder Mountain closing for lengthy refurb.

[MadEye]

UPDATE: Was at the MK today and they are redoing the queue. From the MK Train, you can see that they've demo'd most of the "crazy" portion of the queue and from the front, it seems that they are pushing out the outer walls.

YES. That ride is in DESPERATE need of a new queue. Is that the only major change being made?

That's all I could see from guest areas. As it is now considered a construction zone, not even CM's can get anywhere near it without a hardhat/getting fired.

[Amy]

UPDATE: Was at the MK today and they are redoing the queue. From the MK Train, you can see that they've demo'd most of the "crazy" portion of the queue and from the front, it seems that they are pushing out the outer walls.

YES. That ride is in DESPERATE need of a new queue. Is that the only major change being made?

That's all I could see from guest areas. As it is now considered a construction zone, not even CM's can get anywhere near it without a hardhat/getting fired.

When I was there last December, I spoke to one of the CMs who seemed to have a little insider info (or it at least seemed like he knew what was going on) and he said they are basically rebuilding the entire attraction.

[DemonOfMusic]

Bet THAT'LL be interesting...

[Amy]

Bet THAT'LL be interesting...

And really expensive!

[DemonOfMusic]

Bet THAT'LL be interesting...

And really expensive!

One of the MANY things I meant by interesting

[MadEye]

YES. That ride is in DESPERATE need of a new queue. Is that the only major change being made?

That's all I could see from guest areas. As it is now considered a construction zone, not even CM's can get anywhere near it without a hardhat/getting fired.

When I was there last December, I spoke to one of the CMs who seemed to have a little insider info (or it at least seemed like he knew what was going on) and he said they are basically rebuilding the entire attraction.

If, by WHOLE attraction they meant a few places here and there, then sure.

I saw scaffolding along the big outside lift hill along with what looks like new wood for for the entrance to the third lift hill (falling rocks hopefully will make a triumphant return!). I saw construction workers on both sides of the MK train tracks (the building they store the extra trains are on the other side when you pass BTM on the train) so I'm thinking a lot is happening with this much needed refurb.

[boilerbabe]

I recall it was close to the last night we were at WDW this past Jan., we were with Mouse Couple at MK at night....we rode the train around the entire park and when we passed by BTMR, they already had it walled off, looked like they had already started work on it...hard to tell what it was all going to entail though. I remember M-dude tried to snap a few pics. but it was near impossible with the walls up.

I hope they don't majorly change this attraction, a little face lift would be nice, but overall, I love this ride!

[MmeLeota]

I recall it was close to the last night we were at WDW this past Jan., we were with Mouse Couple at MK at night....we rode the train around the entire park and when we passed by BTMR, they already had it walled off, looked like they had already started work on it...hard to tell what it was all going to entail though. I remember M-dude tried to snap a few pics. but it was near impossible with the walls up.

I hope they don't majorly change this attraction, a little face lift would be nice, but overall, I love this ride!

Actually, if my memory serves, that Sunday was the last day...the same day that Dumbo was supposed to close.

[Mousekedude]

I recall it was close to the last night we were at WDW this past Jan., we were with Mouse Couple at MK at night....we rode the train around the entire park and when we passed by BTMR, they already had it walled off, looked like they had already started work on it...hard to tell what it was all going to entail though. I remember M-dude tried to snap a few pics. but it was near impossible with the walls up...

That's true! I was saving these for the trip report, but since I'm taking so darn long to do it I might as well post these here.
Here we are on the train. I'm usually pretty good at "self portrait" shots by holding the camera at arm's length, but the ride was pretty rough and this was the best I could do:


And I did manage to get one halfway decent shot "over the wall." You can see a lot of the stuff torn down already, and a bunch of scaffolding in place:


Just as a side note, Mouseoholic was determined to ride it as many times as possible before it shut down, which we did. We even got to ride it one last time on the last night before it closed. She wanted to keep going back so as to get in on the very last train too, but that part didn't work out thanks to the massive crowds.

[DemonOfMusic]

Excuse me, Mouskedude?? Don't you pay any attention to the "no photography on the ride" spiels??? Nice photo!! Can't wait to see the final results!

[Amy]

Ok, the shot of all of you on the train was good for a giggle while I wait for my student to arrive home. Pretty neat shot of the first bit of demo...(thank goodness I watch what my phone is typing, I almost had a bad word after neat!)

[DemonOfMusic]

Ok, the shot of all of you on the train was good for a giggle while I wait for my student to arrive home. Pretty neat shot of the first bit of demo...(thank goodness I watch what my phone is typing, I almost had a bad word after neat!)

The amount that happens to me is pathetic...

[MmeLeota]

Nice shot of the demo Mousekedude! Was it open after that Sunday night we rode it? I seem to remember reading that it was supposed to close the same day as Dumbo.
Loving that pic of you guys on the train though...soarin and boilerbabe look like sisters...were you amazed at the amount of mayhem y'all created?

[boilerbabe]

OMG M-dude!!! That is a horrible picture! I remember telling you to delete it after you took it!!!! Nice shot of the refurb though!

[MadEye]

There is nothing gone from that area in the picture as of yesterday (and probably nothing will be). The only demo going on is for the queue.