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
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
How are you feeling about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s big changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
How are you feeling about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s big changes?
Well we liked it the way it was. So did my older kids. Thrilling enough with a wooden coaster vibe. Maybe the upgrades will be nice but they also might make it faster, darker and scarier which imo takes away from the story and the old west feel. As I suffer from motion sickness, Disney seems to be adding rides that are more thrill and less story which is sad….though I love the new story with this one! Idk if I’ll take a chance of riding this or not. Getting over motion sickness can take an hour or two which really puts a dent in the day. Better to be safe than sorry!
Just like the classic Disney movies….just leave things as they are
I haven’t ridden Big Thunder Mountain in a few years, because it was very jerky and that triggered my motion sickness. But since they’re replacing the track, I’m hoping that means a smoother ride, so I’ll at least give it a try. I also want to see all of the other changes. If it still makes me feel sick, at least I’ll have ridden it once.
Will have to reserve judgement it has always been my most fave ride and was gutted it was closed when I went in april. Just hope it doesn’t make changes for the worse, will see when I go again. Fingers crossed
Sounds good, especially the fitting in with the Piston Peak Car Land….But, will the Big Thunder train be making a stop or at least going by the Frontierland Old West Airport?
Now this is more like Disney! So excited for the new version of BTM! Was worried Disney was just pumping out coasters – but this sounds like more than just a thrill ride!
I wish they would just leave the rides the way they were and also to stop getting rid of some of the. I haven’t gotten to experience any of Walt Disney World yet and now I will never get to experience the one major ride I was looking forward to…..and that was the great movie ride. There is plenty of land for them to build on…so why do they have to constantly tear down rides that are good. Also….re theming rides is wrong. Leave them alone. Splash Mountain, the Rockin’ Rollercoaster…..they are great rides and didn’t need to be re themed. What would Wlat think of all these changes?
Cate, I like you get motion sickness, nut the good news is Dramine now comes in less drowsy form. I used it on my last trip and after the first try, I now take a half of a tablet and went on Star Tours without any effect and no sleepiness. You might want to try it. There is also a non-drowsy formula that I haven’t tried but might take it with me to try on Remy in October. Good Luck!!!