NEWS: Disney Reveals Big Thunder Mountain Opening Date & New Magic Details

Big Thunder Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdon in Walt Disney World closed for refurbishment in January of 2025. This was not your typical refurbishment lasting a few months. During the 16-month closure nearly everything including the track has been replaced. Disney Imagineers have also been busy upgrading the theming including some new magic to surprise and delight guests. Sixteen month is a long time to wait, but we’re betting it will be well worth it.

Now, we finally have an opening date along with some details on what guests can expect when Big Thunder reopens this spring. Check out the full details below.

Here are all the details from cast member Mallory Heinz Ledet.

Howdy, pardners… you folks oughta keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the train, ‘cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!

On May 3, 2026, the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with new magic. Here’s what you can expect the next time you take to the tracks in search of adventure.

There’s Gold in That There Mountain

The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.

However, them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down.

No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.

Shine and Polish on a Magic Kingdom Classic

The mountain attractions at Disney Parks around the globe are iconic for a reason – they are beloved by fans old and new for the stories they tell, the thrills they give, and the memories they make.

The rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain here at Disney World recently completed a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.

Wildest Ride in the Wilderness

A key part of the refurbishment was installing a new track and refreshed passenger trains. These updates were carefully planned to preserve the attraction’s classic storytelling and trademark hootin’ an’ hollerin’ energy, while adding new life, movement, and detail to the experience guests know so well.

With all the improvements made to the attraction, along with a comprehensive review from our safety teams, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38”. Climb aboard, lil prospectors!

New Magic Thunderin’ In

In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with new magic for fans to discover.

One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).

The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome.

There’s more new magic for guests to discover once Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns on May 3, 2026!