Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Major Refurbishment Confirmed: Closure Begins January 2025

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, one of the Magic Kingdom's most iconic attractions, is scheduled to close for a major refurbishment beginning January 6, 2025.

Disney has confirmed that the fan-favorite Frontierland roller coaster will be shut down for over a year, with plans to reopen it in 2026, promising that the ride will return with "a little bit of new magic."

This refurbishment has been long in the works. Disney previously filed a permit for the project, assigned to their trusted construction partner Coastal Steel Inc. The permit, which broadly mentions "General Construction," expires in August 2025. While initial speculation hinted at a September 2024 closure, Disney's confirmation of a January 2025 start marks a firm timeline for this major refurbishment.

Extensive Ride System Overhaul

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to undergo substantial renovations, with significant work planned for the ride system to enhance its longevity and ensure smooth operations for years to come. Sources familiar with the project have emphasized that this will be the most extensive refurbishment in the ride's history, much larger in scope than the 2012 renovation, which saw the ride closed for four months.

The 2025 project is expected to follow the footsteps of Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad renovation in 2012, which brought new ride vehicles, track replacements, and freshened mountain scenery to the Disneyland version of the ride. Magic Kingdom's version will likely see similar updates.

The Longest Closure in the Ride's History

This refurbishment marks the longest closure in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's history. The attraction, which opened at Magic Kingdom in 1980, has seen numerous short-term closures over the years for maintenance and minor updates.

Stay tuned for more updates as Disney shares additional details about what changes are in store for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.