MK Big Thunder Mountain to receive full retrack

[TrainsOfDisney]

the rear driving wheels were eleminated for safety reasosn

What was the reason? Were they involved in the California accident?

 

[twilight mitsuk]

What was the reason? Were they involved in the California accident?

as a result of the California accident in 2003

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

as a result of the California accident in 2003

What was unique about the 2nd wheel that contributed to the accident? Were the 2 wheels too close together?

 

[lazyboy97o]

the rear driving wheels were eleminated for safety reasosn

They were a visible change to show that Disney did something. They weren’t a cause or contributing factor in the fatal accident, which was caused by improper maintenance.

These are also entirely new trains, so even if there was a design issue, that could have been rectified.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

These are also entirely new trains, so even if there was a design issue, that could have been rectified.

Yeah, that was my point - thanks for clarifying it! I wasn’t sure what the issue was, but whatever it was could certainly be fixed with brand new trains.

 

[dmc493]

Guesses on if there will be previews/soft openings and timing? Any chance we see that take place in late April?

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Will the lift hills be just as loud as before, or have they been replaced with quieter chain lifts?

I love how loud it is! It makes it feel very mechanical.

Please don’t tell me the sound is actually due to deferred maintenance and not thoughtful theming.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I love how loud it is! It makes it feel very mechanical.

Please don’t tell me the sound is actually due to deferred maintenance and not thoughtful theming.

It was the [older style] anti-rollback mechanism. Not hearing it would have been a cause for concern.

Disneyland did not get quiet anti-rollback mechanisms with its new track, so it possible they kept the old style at Magic Kingdom too.

 

[LindseyDisney]

I wonder if it will open May 4th just to move the crowds throughout the parks on Star Wars Day

 

[DCBaker]

Disney has announced Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to reopen May 3.

Disney says the height requirement has also been lowered to 38":

A key part of the refurbishment was installing a new track and refreshed passenger trains. These updates were carefully planned to preserve the attraction’s classic storytelling and trademark hootin’ an’ hollerin’ energy, while adding new life, movement, and detail to the experience guests know so well.

With all the improvements made to the attraction, along with a comprehensive review from our safety teams, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38”. Climb aboard, lil prospectors!

 

[ctrlaltdel]

Disney has announced Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to reopen May 3.

Preview the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Rainbow Caverns

Discover the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Rainbow Caverns at Disney World with a sneak peek at this new scene coming to the ride.

disneyparksblog.com

Opening with a lower height requirement too (38")

 

[HauntedPirate]

The question on everyone's mind, though: When's the ribbon-cutting ceremony?

 

[DCBaker]

Photos from Jeff Vahle with the announcement:

 

[wdwmagic]

So big question is, has the lower height requirement been achieved through a slower ride profile, or changes to the vehicle?

 

[Notes from Neverland]

We'll have to see if it retains the "Wildest ride in the wilderness" label. The height change suggests maybe not.

 

[Touchdown]

So big question is, has the lower height requirement been achieved through a slower ride profile, or changes to the vehicle?

May be neither, some rides with legacy restraints have recently had their height requirements dropped after being retested with modern means.

 

[Purduevian]

Keep in mind SDD is also 38"... I think that was about an intense as Big Thunder

 

[Mr. Engagement]

I didn't see the lap bar in these images

 

[Scoots71]

May be neither, some rides with legacy restraints have recently had their height requirements dropped after being retested with modern means.

I can't tell in the pictures, but maybe they went to individual restraints per seat instead of a single lap bar for the whole row?

Love that it will be open before my trip on 5/6! So ready for my little man to take his first ride on there!

 

[trainplane3]

I can't tell in the pictures, but maybe they went to individual restraints per seat instead of a single lap bar for the whole row?

Love that it will be open before my trip on 5/6! So ready for my little man to take his first ride on there!

Still the same restraint setup:

https://blogmickey.com/2026/04/disney-world-lowers-height-requirement-for-big-thunder-mountain-railroad/

May be neither, some rides with legacy restraints have recently had their height requirements dropped after being retested with modern means.

Agreed. You can't slow BT down much more then it already runs anyway without risking valleying so it's probably newer testing methods.