A new Notice of Commencement has been filed for the ongoing refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, and it comes with a notable change: an extended expiration date of April 15, 2026.
The permit is once again assigned to DPR Construction, the contractor overseeing major structural work on the project.
Longer Permit Duration Raises Timeline Questions
Previous permits for the refurbishment—including earlier filings from DPR Construction—had expiration dates of March 13, 2026. The new filing now extends that timeline by an additional month, raising the possibility that work on the attraction may continue further into 2026 than initially expected.
While an extended expiration date doesn’t necessarily guarantee a later reopening, it does suggest that Disney is building flexibility into the construction schedule, potentially to accommodate delays, additional scope, or phased completion milestones.
What’s Covered in the DPR Filing?
The new Notice of Commencement continues to use the broad term “General Construction,” consistent with earlier filings for the project.
DPR has been involved with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment since early permitting stages, and the latest filing suggests their role will continue through the final phases of the project.
Refurbishment Timeline So Far
- Closure Date: January 6, 2025
- Previous Permit Expirations: March 13, 2026 (Coastal Steel, DPR, Icarus Exhibits)
- Latest Permit Expiration: April 15, 2026 (DPR Construction)
- Projected Reopening: Sometime in 2026 (exact date not yet announced)
Looking Ahead
Disney has not provided a specific reopening date for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, only stating that the ride will return in 2026. This latest permit doesn’t confirm an official delay, but it does hint that the refurbishment may now extend later into the year than previously anticipated.
Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox