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January 7, 2013

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Closes For $4-Million Renovation

Anaheim, CABig Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Park closed Sunday evening and will remain shut for at least nine months while the roller coaster undergoes a $4 million overhaul.

Disney plans to replace the roller coaster's track and trains, plus the ride's scenery and show scenes will be refurbished or enhanced. The loading and unloading areas will also be reworked to provide more room for disabled guests.

The roller coaster's layout will remain unchanged.

Located in Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a runaway mine train ride through a cursed mountain near an abandoned mining town. It's the third mountain attraction at Disneyland Park.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been one of the most popular rides at Disneyland since its debut on September 2, 1979. A second Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened a year later at the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World on November 15, 1980. Tokyo Disneyland opened their version in 1987 and Disneyland Paris followed in 1992.

During the coming months a large crane will be erected to work on the attraction. Also, the walkway between Frontierland and Fantasyland will be closed intermittently.

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