For months now, guests visiting Magic Kingdom have seen something unusual towering above Frontierland—something that didn’t quite fit the Old West vibe. A massive crane had been perched backstage behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, signaling that serious changes were underway. But now, it’s officially gone. And believe it or not, that’s a much bigger deal than it sounds.Credit: DisneyWhy? Because removing the crane means a huge piece of the project is finally done—and Disney is entering the next phase of bringing the “wildest ride in the wilderness” back to life.What the Crane Meant for Big ThunderLet’s rewind for a moment. Back in December 2024, Disney quietly set up the crane behind the attraction—before the ride even closed. That early arrival was the first real confirmation that this refurbishment was no small project. It wasn’t just about sprucing up a few props or adding new sound effects. This was a full track replacement.Once the ride officially closed in early 2025, the crane stayed in place for over seven months. It was essential in removing old track, lifting in new pieces, and even helping to move props and heavy equipment. Disney essentially rebuilt the coaster’s track from the ground up. Now that the crane has been removed, it tells us one thing loud and clear: the track replacement is done.Credit: Inside the MagicThe Milestone Fans Have Been Waiting ForDisney started pulling out the old track on January 8, 2025. The new track appeared to be fully installed shortly after Memorial Day—putting the core construction timeline at around four and a half months. While that may seem like a long time, it’s actually pretty fast for a project of this size.What we’re seeing now is progress that fans can actually feel. The removal of the crane signals that Disney is moving out of the heavy-lifting phase and shifting into the testing and fine-tuning stage.In fact, earlier this month, ride vehicle “push-pull” testing was spotted on the track. That means Cast Members are manually guiding empty ride vehicles through the course to make sure everything fits, flows, and functions safely. It’s like a dress rehearsal—just without the guests (or the goat with dynamite in its mouth).What’s Next for Big Thunder?There’s still plenty of work left to be done. After push-pull testing, Disney will begin something called “envelope testing.” That’s when they make sure guest arms, hats, and elbows won’t get too close to new props or scenery. Safety is key, especially when you’re dealing with tight turns and low-hanging set pieces.Then comes full-speed testing. That’s when Disney really starts putting the ride through its paces. Vehicles will zoom through the new track at top speed to simulate real operations. Cast Member training also ramps up during this stage, so teams are ready to go when the attraction reopens.And yes, Disney has already promised that some “new magic” will be added to the ride when it reopens in 2026. While exact details haven’t been confirmed, fans are hoping for something similar to the explosive finale scene found in other versions of Big Thunder around the world. That lift hill finale in Disneyland Paris? It’s legendary. If Disney brings something like that to Magic Kingdom, we could be in for a major upgrade.Credit: Flickr/Joe PennistonBig Thunder’s Return May Be Closer Than You ThinkWe’re not quite ready to hop aboard the train just yet, but this milestone means we’re inching closer. Removing a crane might not seem as exciting as a firework show or new ride announcement, but in the world of Disney construction, it’s a sign of real momentum.And with the Destination D23 fan event coming up next month, we might get even more details soon. It’s not quite as massive as the full-scale D23 Expo, but Disney usually drops a few key updates—especially for big, ongoing projects like this one.So if you’ve been waiting (impatiently) to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad again, this is the update you’ve been hoping for. The track is back. The crane is gone. And soon enough, the dynamite will be ready.Hold onto your hats, folks. The wildest ride in the wilderness is getting ready to roar once again.The post NEW: Disney Reveals Big-Time Change for Big Thunder Mountain appeared first on Inside the Magic.