Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-81304.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Extensive Refurbishment Coming for Big Thunder Mountain January 7</b></a> <p>The Official Disney Parks Blog has released the following info...</p> <p> <p>In the normal course of a Disney Parks attraction’s lifespan, there are periods of time when it is necessary to close for a major refurbishment. You may recall that this was the case last year with the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which now looks better than ever with its fresh snowfall. Up next at Disneyland park, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close January 7 for refurbishment, reopening in fall 2013.</p> <p>Updates being made to the attraction will include:</p> <ul> <li>New ride vehicles (but don’t worry – they’ll still look like the trains that you know and love!)</li> <li>Track replacement (but the attraction will still follow its current course)</li> <li>Repainting portions of the mountain itself (Walt Disney Imagineering has once again carefully studied Bryce Canyon for inspiration)</li> </ul> <p>We’ll have more updates on these and other aspects of the refurbishment throughout the year, but if you’d like to experience the “wildest ride in the wilderness” one more time before it begins, head on over to Disneyland park by January 6 – its last day of operation until fall 2013.</p> </p>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I knew this was on the agenda, but it's great to see that it's finally on the calendar. Big Thunder was looking very shabby when I was there this summer. The best part is that the mountain is being repainted and I'm hoping that they do some major work repairs to the props in the queue. Does anyone know if DL will be getting the interactive story details that were recently added in Florida?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I know it's too much to hope that they'd reconfigure the track so that the ending isn't so anti-climactic... But one thing that WOULD be doable would be to update the show scenes; the indoor ones of course to look more convincing and even updating some of the critters outside to more modern AA's. Since the blog didn't mention that, there may not be any such improvement in the offing. But I can still hope that they're saving such announcements for a later date.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I know it's too much to hope that they'd reconfigure the track so that the ending isn't so anti-climactic...<< Yep. A barrel roll through the dinosaur bones would be cool, wouldn't it? Or perhaps go into a final small show building with some cool effect. Ah well, we can dream....
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan It'd also be neat if a couple passengers could ride in the train's engine.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Or perhaps go into a final small show building with some cool effect.> I know, I know!! Some sort of, oh what am I thinking of... CAVERN. That's it, a cavern. But not just any cavern. One with really colorful waterfalls... all the colors of the rainbow!! How cool would that be? But they'd never put anything like that anywhere near Big Thunder.
Originally Posted By Manfried I think it would be totally wicked if the train took a wrong turn into another new mine entrance at the end, and ended up splashing down in the small world flume.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt In France you plunge into a long Space Mountain like tunnel in complete darkness after the earthquake scene before reentering the depot. It's fast and a complete adrenaline rush. Too bad DL can't get something similar.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I like this tidbit: <Repainting portions of the mountain itself (Walt Disney Imagineering has once again carefully studied Bryce Canyon for inspiration> Right....
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I think it would be totally wicked if the train took a wrong turn into another new mine entrance at the end, and ended up splashing down in the small world flume.<< Big Blunder Mountain Railroad, coming 2013!
Originally Posted By dagobert Just out of interest, do all BTMRR have the same track layout? I know Paris is a little bit different, because it's located on an island and you go through a tunnel.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 WDW's and TDL's are either identical or nearly so. The other two are different.
Originally Posted By Manfried At Disneyland and WDW and TDL, still the dullest ending for a thrill ride. Oh, and now they're going to make it into a monument to the grand egotist.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I thought DL's layout was the same as WDW's just a mirror image.
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 Here we go again... Why do some people have to keep posting their sarcastic negative drivel? Why are they even posting here? It's for FANS of Disney. Constructive criticism is acceptable, but sarcasm is a reflection of the person who posts it. And it usually the same people. Guess nothing makes them happy...
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 This is one reason LP s not the happy place it used to be. And it's sad. Ok, rip me to shreds.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Yeah Kar2oonMan -- can you knock off the snarky, sarcastic remarks? Oh wait -- I think that post was for me.
Originally Posted By Manfried <<Why do some people have to keep posting their sarcastic negative drivel? Why are they even posting here? It's for FANS of Disney. >> You mean all of us, including you, who complain about new attractions not being right before they open?
Originally Posted By retlawfan So what are they doing to the attraction, other than removing the town, which I assume is to make more room for the princess faire area behind it?
