Two opossum figures have returned to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad scene at Magic Kingdom after being removed during the roller coaster’s year-long refurbishment.
Walt Disney Imagineering said Nov. 3 that the “mom and dad” opossums are back, while the rest of the family is still expected to return. The two figures are positioned on the tree, with one standing on a branch and the other on the trunk. Neither hangs over the ride track.
The animal figures were not in place when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened earlier this year. According to Disney, ride-envelope testing found that their previous placement breached the safety zone around ride vehicles and passengers, leaving insufficient time to correct the issue before reopening.
A permit filed by Walt Disney Imagineering in October indicated set elements would be installed at the attraction. The work was contracted to Icarus Exhibits, Inc., which has also worked on other Big Thunder Mountain Railroad set pieces.
Planning Your Trip
Undercover Tourist is an authorized seller of Walt Disney World tickets, often at a discount off gate price.
The baby opossum figures have not yet returned. Previously, two babies hung by their tails from a branch with one parent, while another parent watched from a separate branch. Disney has not said whether the babies will return to those positions or be placed elsewhere on the tree.
