Walt Disney World has marked a major milestone in the year-long refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with a traditional golden spike ceremony, celebrating the installation of the final piece of track.
The iconic Magic Kingdom attraction has been closed for around a year as crews undertook an extensive rebuild, including the complete replacement of the steel track. The golden spike ceremony follows a long-standing American railroad tradition, symbolising the completion of track work and the coming together of a major construction project.
During the ceremony, a cast member placed the ceremonial golden spike beneath the final section of track, marking the end of this significant phase of the refurbishment.
Senior Project Manager Stephen Murphy described the moment as a reflection of Disney’s commitment to its attractions, saying the project was about “protecting a legacy while preparing it for the future,” adding that the work will allow the attraction to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Associate Project Manager Emily York also shared her excitement, calling it “surreal” to watch the first ride vehicle roll onto the newly installed track and describing the refurbishment as a true labour of love.
A Resort-Wide Team Effort
According to Disney, the refurbishment brought together teams from across Walt Disney World, including Imagineers, engineers, construction specialists, and technology experts. The goal was not only to preserve the spirit of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but also to subtly enhance the experience for modern audiences.
Program Field Representative Wesley Kashula highlighted the scale of the collaboration, noting that it took a huge collective effort to complete the project and expressing hope that guests will feel the familiar excitement of Big Thunder, “only elevated.”
In addition to the rebuilt track, the attraction is receiving newly designed ride vehicles, refreshed Audio-Animatronics, new gold-themed props, and an updated Rainbow Caverns opening scene. Testing of the new ride vehicles is already underway.
Disney has not yet confirmed an exact reopening date, but Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen at Magic Kingdom sometime this spring.