Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new Notice of Commencement for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, with Coastal Steel Inc. listed as the contractor and the scope labeled as general construction. This is the third filing involving Coastal Steel for the ongoing project, which continues to shape up as the most extensive refurbishment the ride has seen since opening in 1980.
Ongoing Construction Work
The latest filing, matching the address for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, suggests that general construction work is still active even as the attraction moves into later stages of the refurbishment timeline. Coastal Steel previously filed two permits related to the project, both broadly described as general construction. Their continued involvement may indicate additional structural work, as the ride transitions from heavy construction into systems testing and final detailing.
Refurbished Train Now Cycling the Track
In a major step forward, ride system testing is now underway. A newly refurbished train has been spotted cycling through the track, another milestone phase of the project. Ride testing at this stage typically focuses on validating safety systems, timing, braking, lift hill mechanics, and train dynamics across the updated track layout.
Opening Date Still Unannounced
Despite clear progress and visible testing, Disney has not yet announced an official reopening date for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. All official communication still points to a 2026 return, though recent permit activity, including filings valid through April 2026, suggests work may continue into next year.
When Big Thunder returns guests will once again find themselves caught in the gold rush ambitions of Barnabas T. Bullion, the founder of the Big Thunder Mountain Company. According to Disney, Bullion's dreams of striking it rich in the Big Thunder region quickly spiraled out of control as the mountain itself began to push back.
Machines broke down. Mines collapsed. And despite all efforts to dig deeper, nature - and something more mysterious - refused to be tamed. When the newly updated trains take off once again in 2026, riders will come face-to-face with the unpredictable power of the mountain itself.
Among the new additions is a striking underground scene that will send trains into a mysterious cavern glowing with phosphorescent pools and shimmering with iridescent stalactites and stalagmites.
This new scene, inspired by the Rainbow Caverns of Disneyland's early Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland attraction, blends nostalgic visual effects with new storytelling. But while it may look peaceful at first, the caverns are anything but safe.
Disney teases that the "menacing rumble" deep within the cave could be a sign that guests are not exactly welcome.
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