Disney Just Shared NEW Behind-the-Scenes Looks at a Popular Ride Refurbishment

Big changes are coming to Disney World, and some of them are already underway!

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From new lands inspired by Monsters, Inc. and the Disney Villains to attraction overhauls to update technology and make for a smoother ride, your next Disney World trip could include some very different plans! And today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of one ride update to show you what’s coming.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been temporarily closed in Magic Kingdom since the beginning of 2025. This popular roller coaster is undergoing a major refurbishment that’s set to last until 2026, and in the meantime, Disney says it’s getting a “little bit of new magic.” Recently, we got a small sneak peek at some of the magic in action!

©Walt Disney Imagineering

During some behind-the-scenes clips shared on the Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram account, we got to see portions of the brand-new track that’s getting fully replaced, as well as glimpses at some of the theming areas that are getting touch-ups.

©Walt Disney Imagineering

The video also showed a sneak peek at one of the trains, and it looks like it’s getting some touch-ups as well! Disney hasn’t shared many details about this refurbishment overall, but it’s rumored that the ride could get some of the same effects as the Disneyland version.

©Walt Disney Imagineering

The Anaheim version of the ride has some pyrotechnic effects on the third lift hill, which were added during a refurbishment a few years back. Those effects are part of the reason many people rate the Disneyland version as “better” than the Disney World ride.

Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland

The Disneyland version of the ride closed back in January 2013 to install new effects, a new track, new scenery, new ride vehicles, and an upgraded ride experience. For that refurbishment, the ride was closed until March 2014. So if Disney World’s coaster is getting similar updates, it makes sense that the timeline would also be over a year.

Big Thunder at Disneyland

Hopefully, Disney World will continue to share information about what’s coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad throughout the refurbishment, and we’ll make sure to update you when we get an official reopening date.

Stay tuned to DFB for all the Disney World changes coming in the future!

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