Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Big Thunder will be down for refurbishment from January 9-May 28 2012. Pretty lengthy, and I hope they really pull out all the stops for this one unlike the Space Mountain refurb.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 agree- time to spruce 'all effects' . Unless they are doing track replacement that amount of time should allow for the details to be handled
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I wonder if some of this is to apply things from the lessons learnt from Paris' Big Thunder Accident earlier this year?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Unless they are doing track replacement that amount of time should allow for the details to be handled>> I know they've been taking out the wooden trestles on the tracks, so I would imagine they will be replaced, but the track itself will remain, I think. But yea, update some effects that need it and add some if possible. Also, the queue could use work. There's really no sense of setting in it. If any queue needed a new one, it's Big Thunder.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I wonder if some of this is to apply things from the lessons learnt from Paris' Big Thunder Accident earlier this year?>> They had been talking about refurbing Big Thunder for quite a while before that, I think. But it may of had something to do with the length of the refurb.
Originally Posted By PotNoodle Good news! It was in a pretty sad state when we went on it in August. The "cave-in" effects were not working properly. The only thing that was shaking was one latern, which looked incredibly stupid.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne Word from a Splash attendant is that the queue could be in for some love/replacement, as it is basically falling apart.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Word from a Splash attendant is that the queue could be in for some love/replacement, as it is basically falling apart.>> Sounds good to me. They can't really do any worse. /Famous last words
Originally Posted By Dreamerica Lets hope they do this right. Most of this beloved attraction could use some major refurbishment, especially the queue. And is it my imagination or did this ride used to have way more audio-animatronic animals and other effects? Maybe i'm thinking of the DL version.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< But yea, update some effects that need it and add some if possible. >>> How about just getting the existing ones so they always work properly?
Originally Posted By CDF2 How would one change the queue? At WDW you don't have mining town setup like you have at DL thus you are kind of stuck with the switchback form of queue within the big building. Plus, at WDW, you want the queue indoors so the guests don't roast in the sun or get drenched during those frequent summer thunderstorms. I suppose you could add some kind of narrative about the legend of Big Thunder Mt along the way through the queue but with FastPass a good number of guests will never hear that story. As with any refurb on a popular attraction, the first order of business would be to ensure the AAs and special effects that are there on the ride are working - whether this means replacement with newer technology that is more reliable or stunning in its delivery or whether it means simply replacing worn out parts with new ones would be up to management to decide.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Given that all of their recent queue updates have been NextGen interactive stuff, I think I'd prefer they leave BTMRR alone for a little longer. Yes, it can get pretty dull in there at times, but I'd much prefer what's there now than being over-stimulated for the entire wait.
Originally Posted By danyoung I just hope they fix that huge gash in the rockwork that's been covered by a piece of black drape for the past year or so!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Just an update, the WDW site now says it's only closed through March 31. Disappointing.
Originally Posted By PotNoodle They need fans in the queue. We went stand-by in August and we didn't see a single fan working, until we got to the loading area. It gets freaking hot. Between the lack of air flow, the people with a poor sense of personal space, and the people who seem to have a cultural prohibition regarding deodorant, I was getting ready to leave the queue all together... Forget this next gen stuff, give me some simple fans or a misting system.
Originally Posted By danyoung Don't they have a lot of fans up there? Maybe they just didn't have 'em on for some reason.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Oh, PetNoodle, duckling, I am so right there with you in what you just said! And considering how awful a certain nasty old biddy always smells, I really need a constant fan with me to blow that awful sister witch's stink away! ORGOCH: Well if'n that ain't the cauldron callin' the kettle black, I don't know what is!!!! Ever take a whiff a yer OWN dang self, ya blubber blimp??? ORWEN: I'll have you know I always smell of sugar and spice and everything nice! ORGOCH: In a bat's butt!!!
Originally Posted By PotNoodle Don't they have a lot of fans up there? Maybe they just didn't have 'em on for some reason.> No, they don't. Only the loading area is noticeably cooler. I don't care what the reason is, any existing fans should be on in the middle of August. It's always nice, too, when the stand-by line says 20 minutes and time spent in the "heat shed" is more like 40. There is a crass phrase to describe the heat in there, but I am far too lady-like to repeat it. They didn't have the fans on in the Kilimajaro Safari queue, either. There is no excuse for that, fans aren't that expensive to run.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Oh dear! More Disney cutback? I am curious to hear what the Disney "lingo" is for the heatshed.
