Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to reopen from major refurbishment at Magic Kingdom in Early May!

Howdy, pardners! The wildest ride in the wilderness is currently closed, undergoing a major refurbishment, but it will be back soon.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort has ben closed since January 6, 2025.

One of Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing a major refurbishment that will enhance its longevity and to ensure smooth ride operations well into the future. Improvements include the replacement of the entire coaster track, and refreshed audio-animatronics, and props.

Plus, guests will discover new magic in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad when it reopens as Disney Imagineers have added an updated opening scene.

Guests will find themselves among beautiful Rainbow Caverns when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, but they may not be as friendly as they first appear.

When will the ride be back in operation? Previously, we only knew that the coaster would reopen this spring, but Disney has announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be back in early May, so the wait won't be long!

Check out the latest theme park news and updates from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.

However, them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down.

No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.

The mountain attractions at Disney Parks around the globe are iconic for a reason – they are beloved by fans old and new for the stories they tell, the thrills they give, and the memories they make.

The rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World is currently undergoing a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.

In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with new magic for fans to discover.

One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).

The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome.

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