Disney Confirms Changes to Big Thunder Mountain Roller Coaster 8 Months After Closure

A beloved Magic Kingdom attraction is getting a much-needed upgrade!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed in early January 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment and still remains closed today. While the ride isn’t slated to reopen until some point in 2026, Disney recently revealed some MAJOR upgrades that you can see and experience once “the wildest ride in the wilderness” is back up and running!

Disney finally gave us tons of Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment updates! In an official release, Disney teased “new magic” coming to the ride, which opened initially in 1980.

Story

Disney teased a revamped plot, saying, “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.”

Mr. Bullion ©Disney

However, “Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature”, and “strange and unexplainable things started happening” in the mine, such as failed machines and cave-ins. When the attraction reopens in 2026, “the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.”

Refurb Details

Disney is calling the project “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.” The company teased some pretty cool additions that will debut next year.

©Disney

One new feature will be “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling)” — but with a twist.

“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.”

©Disney

All in all, the ride will also feature a new, smoother track, new lighting and effects, and an exterior touch-up of the ride to help it fit into the new Piston Peak Cars expansion.

We’ll let you know about new Big Thunder Mountain updates as they roll out! In the meantime, stay tuned right here at DFB for all the latest Disney Parks updates!

3 Disney World Rides Will Be Closed for Refurbishment in 2026

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The post Disney Confirms Changes to Big Thunder Mountain Roller Coaster 8 Months After Closure first appeared on the disney food blog.

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