You guys, I’ve been waiting on my favorite Disney World ride to reopen for what feels like AGES.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
That’s right, I’m a die-hard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad fan, and it has been closed since January 2025 (I miss it so much!). It’s set to reopen in early May 2026, but we don’t have a specific date yet. The good news? Ride testing is underway!
When one of our reporters visited Magic Kingdom on April 1st, she spotted sandbags in the mine cars on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is a method of testing they use on rides before they open or reopen to make sure they’re safe for the public.
See the sandbags?
The train was absolutely loaded down from front to back, but it was taking that hill like a CHAMP! It feels so good to see this roller coaster running again.
Go train go!
Big Thunder got a handful of updates during its closure. The biggest changes are that the backstory of the ride has changed slightly, and they’re adding in the Rainbow Caverns scene! Now, when you enter the caverns, they’ll be colorful…and a bit more dangerous (Disney has said there will be rumblings).
©Disney
Also, the ride got all-new track to make the experience a bit smoother, and there will be new lighting and effects throughout. Of course, we’ll be there when it reopens to check it out and report back on the changes.
Construction currently
I can’t wait to enjoy the wildest ride in the wilderness again in the future! We’ll be sure to let you know when a set reopening date is announced.
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Learn More About the Ride Changes Here!
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BT is my favorite but I think it will no longer be that way when I ride it next. It was my favorite because it wasn’t a smooth ride like sooooo many other WDW coasters. My biggest fear was that they would make it a smooth ride:( They ruined the Kilamenjaro(sp) safari ride by taking the chase out of it, now it’s very boring and this is coming from someone who is 65.
I too am looking forward to riding Big Thunder. Making plans to be at WDW next year and this ride is on my top 10 to do list. You guys are so good at finding intersting tidbits or background stuff that makes it more fun to ride.
Thanks