Disneyland Resort (DL, DLR, DCA) Discussion Thread

[COASTER FREAK 11]

First a new Starbucks, and now a new Big Thunder Railroad!

 

Disney Parks Blog

 

"Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Reopen March 17 at Disneyland Park

posted on March 7th, 2014 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort

 

Hold onto your hats and glasses, because I’ve got big news to share today about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park. The wildest ride in the wilderness is reopening on March 17!

 

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

 

In addition to an upgraded track, restoration of the historic Rainbow Ridge Mining Town, repainting on portions of the mountain and updates to the ride vehicles, the refurbishment also includes some new surprises that guests should be on the lookout for when they ride again beginning March 17."

 

YES!!!! And I get to take a spin tonight!

 

****UPDATE****

 

Disneyland.com

 

"Special Passholder Preview! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopening

 

The train cars of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad speed past a dinosaur skeleton

Disneyland Annual Passholders, hold on to your hats for a sneak peek of the newly refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! From March 13 through 16, climb aboard the rip-roaring, rickety, runaway mine train before Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens to all Guests on March 17.

 

To participate, you'll need to show your valid Annual Passport to either enter the standby line or access the attraction's kiosks to get a Disney FASTPASS ticket. When you return to enter the FASTPASS queue, we'll ask to see your Annual Passport and FASTPASS ticket.

 

Only Guests ages 3 and older with valid Annual Passports may participate in this preview event. Children under age 3 may accompany an adult with an Annual Passport. All riders must be 40" (102 cm) or taller and meet the safety requirements for the attraction.

 

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Annual Passholder preview occurs during regular Disneyland park hours for 4 days:

 

Thursday, March 13 – 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday, March 14 – 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

Saturday, March 15 – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Sunday, March 16 – 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

 

Additional Information

 

A valid Annual Passport is required for theme park admission and attraction entry. Please check your Passport carefully as blockout dates apply and may affect your ability to be admitted into the Park.

Information and preview event details are subject to restrictions, change and cancelation without notice.

Disney FASTPASS ticket distribution is subject to availability; space is limited while ticket supplies last.

Disney FASTPASS and standby queues may involve long wait periods, and the attraction may experience temporary closures. Capacity restrictions apply.

 

Use of the Disney FASTPASS machines must be completed in person on the day you experience the preview; no advance reservations or registration will be accepted. FASTPASS tickets will not be distributed to others on behalf of any Passholder.

 

Parking

 

Parking will be available at any Disneyland Resort theme park parking facility.

Parking lot trams will operate during their normally scheduled times.

Standard parking fees apply.

 

For assistance, please contact the Annual Passport Member Services team at (714) 781-PASS (7277) or (714) 781-7277."

Edited March 7, 2014 by COASTER FREAK 11

[hollowsounds]

Thanks for the update !

[DJeXeL]

I'll be riding Tuesday. Can't wait.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Updated the post with AP preview info!

[Nrthwnd]

^ I envy you guys who can do it. Have a great time!

[Gnome]

Now when hotel guests ask where the nearest starbucks is, they can direct them there instead of the corner of harbor and ball! Lol I think there was one at the hilton too. The addition of one in DcA made it easier but this will definately benefit all guests and it really shouldnt have taken this long.

[DBJ]

Looks great, glad to see the ride back in action. I'll be going on the 30th.

Question, has anybody done the Fantasmic dessert package? I am trying to decide between doing Carthay Circle or the Fantasmic dessert package for that night. Thanks!

[Someotherguyuser]

Thanks to a connection with a fellow cast member, I was able to get a ride on Big Thunder Mountain last night. It was GREAT! The ride feels so much smoother now with the new track in place. The whole refurbishment was essentially a touch-up so aside from some lighting enhancements and a few new animatronics, there weren't any real major updates until the final lift hill. The Earthquake scene has been removed entirely and has been replaced with a WAY more awesome dynamite scene (Spoiler ahead) The digital mapping and "fog blast" effects made it look incredible. (End spoiler). That final scene definitely made the ride look amazing. Overall, I really enjoyed the refurbed Big Thunder and you definitely will too! I'm looking forward to getting to hear your reactions when you see the explosion scene.

[KingRCT3]

Here is a complete POV of the new BTMRR! Don't watch if you want to avoid spoilers.

 

[The49er]

Does anyone know for sure if there are individual lap bars now? It would be a shame if that was the case.

[coasterfreak101]

Oh wow, this was already my favorite of the Big Thunders (well, Paris' is probably tied) but now it looks even better! I hope they do this to the others during their next off-season refurbs - definitely an improvement!

[SFMMGeek27]

Does anyone know for sure if there are individual lap bars now? It would be a shame if that was the case.

 

There are not. Same lap bars as before. I was there last night and SO wanted to ride! Really jealous of the cast previews.

 

Hopefully I can make it down for one of the annual passholder previews.

[KingRCT3]

Here is the final scene of the ride with all the effects! Wow, what a blast!

 

[simon8899]

And the important question:

 

Is this counted as a new credit or not?

[KingRCT3]

RCDB said so, and so would I, as the track and trains has been fully remplaced. It has nothing to do with the old one, except for the location and general layout.

[cfc]

And the important question:

 

Is this counted as a new credit or not?

 

Er, no.

Edited March 9, 2014 by cfc

[KBrylczyk]

Yup, definitely heading back there very soon. The new effects look incredible!

[dylanreich]

RCDB said so, and so would I, as the track and trains has been fully remplaced. It has nothing to do with the old one, except for the location and general layout.

"General" layout or the same layout? I personally wouldn't count it as a new coaster if the track is the same.

[cal1br3tto]

For me, I think it's more something to record "because Coaster-Count lets me," not something to make a higher priority for the sake of a "credit." I'll get to it when I get to it.

[KingRCT3]

^^ It follows the same path, but the whole physical track has been changed. The maker is not the same, that's Dynamic Attractions which provided the new rails.

[cfc]

^I'm still going to say "not a new credit," at least for me. I'm looking forward to riding it again, though.

[Nrthwnd]

I'm sure going to miss those "falling boulders," though...

[Gnome]

I think most people are going to roll their eyes at you if you try to count it as a new credit, but do what you want. Jeff johnson does

[DBJ]

Thanks for the video and pics!

Also, read that some of the 60th anniversary upgrades to the dark rides are still a possibility. I suppose those announcements would be saved for the D23 convention. I am looking forward to see if any news of a major new attraction for Disneyland is announced in 2014, or if any of it is saved as a spoiler for when HP opens up at Universal.

[Mr Stratosphere]

And the important question:

 

Is this counted as a new credit or not?

 

I say to each their own! But I say yes, I counted Space Mountain as two different credits, before and after the re-track.

 

If you want to count it, count it! If not, don't! I don't really see the big deal either way!

 

Looking forward to riding it again, everyone has been saying it's butter smooth!