This is HUGE news coming out of Disney!
Disney has officially confirmed that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is reopening on May 3. The attraction will have been closed for 16 months once it reopens.
Updates To Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
We now know exactly what updates have occurred during this long closure!
Update Opening Scene
Guests will experience “Rainbow Caverns” that has been completely transformed. When entering Rainbow Caverns you will Rainbow Caverns they will see experience a majestic scene featuring bats, phosphorescent pools, and shimmering stalagmites and stalactites.
Get ready, because a storm is coming in this scene!
New Track and Lower Height Requirement
One of the main reasons for refurbishment was that Disney replaced the tracks on this beloved attraction. We are excited to see if this brings a smoother ride that still maintains all the energy and craziness that BTMR is known for!
We have a feeling that the ride will feel somewhat different, as Disney has lowered the height requirement from 40″ down to 38″. This is great news for families with adventurous kids who are ready to ride the mountain!
Enhanced Backstory
We love the stories of the rides! Here is the latest for Big Thunder Mountain:
There was a day when Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region. Soon, strange things began happening. As the miners dug deeper into the mountain, Big Thunder seemed to be fighting back.
As you, the guest, arrive at Big Thunder Mining Company, you will descend into an active mine shaft and get on your runaway train! You will go into a canyon, swoop around turns, and go through the town of Tumbleweed.
More Magic To Come?
Disney has announced that “more magic” will be experienced once BTMR reopens – but there have been no announcements, rumors, or credible speculation. We are hopeful its something relatively big, but are thinking it is likely a few new additions to the ride that add a bit of extra fun.
The following is from our initial announcement of BTMR’s closing
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom, will be closing on January 6, 2025 for refurbishment. According to Disney, “The attraction will reopen with a little bit of new magic in 2026.” That means this fun roller coaster will be closed for at least a year.
There is speculation that the closure of BTMR is tied to the construction of the new Cars land that is being developed in Frontierland. We do know that Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are both closing to make room for the Cars expansion. Both of these attractions are near Big Thunder Mountain.
We assume that the closing of these attractions will force some increased wait times to other popular rides – just like we saw when Splash Mountain closed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. We will keep an eye on the Lightning Lane tiers to see if the closing of Big Thunder changes anything for those choosing to buy Lightning Lanes.
The temporary closure of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad brings with it a lot of unknowns. What we do know is that Magic Kingdom in Florida is undergoing some huge changes. We have hopeful that these changes will bring about positive changes to the park we know and love!