NEWS: Disney Files NEW Extended Permit for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

A LOT is happening at Magic Kingdom in Disney World. A LOT.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

First, let’s just say we’re excited about the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, coming to the park. We are BEYOND hyped for the new Villains land coming to the park. We’re not so happy about all the construction that’s going to start soon to make way for a new Cars-themed area in Frontierland (well, we are excited about the new rides, but not the construction walls). In the process, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed and in the middle of a huge refurbishment, and a new permit might hint at when Disney World expects the ride to reopen.

After Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed in January, Disney announced the ride would reopen in 2026. At the time, we expected it to be closed at least until spring of that year because a construction permit for “general construction” was set to expire on March 13th, 2026. However, Disney just filed a new permit requesting an extension for that expiration date.

Construction at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Disney filed a new permit for “general construction” at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with a new expiration date of April 15th, 2026 — a month later than the expiration date for the previous permit. Now, this isn’t a hard and fast date of when construction might be completed on the project, but it is an indication that Disney thinks it might take a little longer than initially thought.

©Orange County, FL

Note that Disney has not yet even given a reopening timeline for the project. All we know is that this is a HUGE project, and that it’s pretty involved. We know that the ride’s track is being replaced and that the ride “will reopen with a little bit of new magic.” This could be some added effects, lightning, or other enhancements.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more Big Thunder Mountain Railroad updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

This Is Just the Beginning – a Closer Look at What’s Happening With the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Closure in Disney World

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