Fast Facts
- What: Sidelined spinning possum animatronics due to a ride-envelope clearance failure
- Where: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom
- Permit: Orange County Notice of Commencement filed on October 8, 2026
- Contractor: Orlando-based scenic fabricator Icarus Exhibits, Inc.
- Status: Returning to the exact same tree on a redesigned, safer mounting branch
OPEN Brief: If you want the clearance failure details, the Orange County permit data, and the exact return location for the missing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad possums, this OPEN guide has the verified logistics in one place. The animatronics vanished on May 3, 2026, following a massive track replacement project. Disney is currently working with a scenic fabricator to install a clearance-compliant mounting system.
Why Did the Possums Disappear From Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
The spinning possums were removed on May 3, 2026, because their original tree branch failed a rigorous safety clearance test.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad underwent a 16-month top-to-bottom track replacement. During testing, the old possum branch over the flooded town of Tumbleweed sat too close to the new ride envelope. Walt Disney Imagineering chopped the branch to safely open the coaster on time.
This operational pivot kept the trains dispatching on schedule without delaying the ride’s return to Magic Kingdom.
What Do the Permits Reveal About the Missing Possums?
Orange County municipal records show Walt Disney Imagineering is using an outside scenic contractor to install new set elements.
Disney filed a Notice of Commencement on October 8, 2026. The permit lists 4485 Caribbean Way #B, which is the official facility address for the coaster. The contractor is Icarus Exhibits, Inc., an Orlando-based scenic fabricator frequently utilized for specialized theme park set pieces.
OPEN also tracks these filings and logistics on our Permits & Construction Tracker so you can monitor park updates before your visit.
Where Will the Possums Return in Tumbleweed?
The possums will return to the exact same tree in Tumbleweed using a redesigned, clearance-compliant mounting system.
Icarus Exhibits, Inc. and Imagineering fabricated a new branch that sits at a slightly different angle and height. This adjustment ensures the spinning animatronics stay safely outside the reach of the coaster trains. A newly erected tarp now covers the installation spot on the trunk.
Spot the Construction
You can see the black tarp covering the mounting point on the right side of the tracks as your train passes through the flooded town of Tumbleweed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the possums removed from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
The possums were removed from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad because their original tree branch failed a safety clearance test following a 16-month track replacement project.
When did the possums disappear from Magic Kingdom?
The possums disappeared from Magic Kingdom on May 3, 2026, when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened to guests.
Are the Tumbleweed possums retiring?
The Tumbleweed possums are not retiring. Walt Disney Imagineering and Icarus Exhibits, Inc. are installing a new, clearance-compliant branch so the characters can return safely.
Status Brief
The missing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad possums are simply waiting on a safety upgrade after the recent track replacement shifted the ride envelope. Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement on October 8, 2026, and Icarus Exhibits, Inc. is actively installing a redesigned branch on the exact same tree in Tumbleweed. Keep an eye on the right side of the tracks during your next Magic Kingdom visit to spot the tarp covering the installation site.
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