Today the Walt Disney World Resort announced the first official details on what kind of “new magic” will becoming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom!
Since January 6th, 2025, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed for a major refurbishment at Walt Disney World. Following years of operational difficulties, Disney committed to replacing the ENTIRE ride system this year. New track, new vehicles, and a new vehicle maintenance bay. The works!
This summer, Disney celebrated a milestone as the final piece of new track was hoisted into place. Shoutout to viewer Mike Chandler for providing us with this footage!
Today at Magic Kingdom Park, Big Thunder Mountain celebrated a refurbishment milestone. 🚂
Judging by the large ceremony, it appears the final piece of the complete re-track of the attraction has been lifted into place! pic.twitter.com/X99ZhL66Z4
— Mickey Views (@MickeyViews) May 28, 2025
Official New Details
When Big Thunder Mountain reopens in 2026 at Walt Disney World, Disney says the theme will be updated. The formerly-abandoned mine will soon look a bit more active, with the “forces of Big Thunder” fighting back!
The new art Disney has just published depicts a re-lit first lift hill, with a rainbow of colors illuminating the “Rainbow Caverns.”
Aside from new lighting in the “phosphorescent pools” below, you might also notice some new bats in the art as well with haunted eyes!
RUMOR: Explosion Effects on Later Lift Hill Cut Out of Update Plan
While Disney today stated there are more new plusses to the attraction to be announced, one rumored detail may have been cut.
In June 2024, Mickey Views reported sources suggested Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle had green-lit the addition of the projection-and-smoke explosion effect seen on other iterations of the Big Thunder attraction. Now, those same sources indicate to Mickey Views this planned effect has been cut from the plan due to budgetary reasons. As part of the refurbishment project, rumored to already be well over budget, it is likely we will see gold bars at the top of the mid-ride lift hill, rather than the initially-planned explosions and smoke.
This last section of information is unofficial and only rumored. Stay tuned for more official details from Disney on what sort of other new magic we have to look forward to when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns to Walt Disney World in 2026!
