A cornerstone of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort has closed its gates, setting the stage for an ambitious transformation.
While the holiday season often steals the spotlight, the arrival of 2025 signals a dramatic shift for Walt Disney World. Ongoing projects like EPCOT’s Test Track reimagining and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s plans to replace DinoLand U.S.A. with the Tropical Americas-inspired Pueblo Esperanza are reshaping the resort’s future.
At Magic Kingdom Park, the Frontierland redevelopment is sparking heated debate among Disney fans. Announced at the 2024 D23 Expo, this project introduces Pixar’s Cars franchise to the area, blending it with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Unfortunately, this expansion comes at the expense of classics like Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, both set to be removed entirely.
As part of this transformation, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad officially closed on January 6, 2025, for an extended refurbishment. According to Disney, the attraction will “reopen with a little bit of new magic in 2026,” leaving fans to speculate on what upgrades are in store. The closure marks the first major overhaul for the ride in over a decade, with hints that it may follow the Disneyland version’s enhanced updates from years past.
In late 2024, Disney filed permits, shedding light on the project’s scope. One permit, assigned to Elite AV Systems Inc., expires on December 3, 2025. Meanwhile, construction permits involving Coastal Steel Inc. and DPR Construction point to structural updates and general renovations, with work expected to continue until March 2026.
Disney wasted no time diving into the refurbishment, with social media capturing the progress just days after the ride’s closure. Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin), a theme park reporter, shared a striking update on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment work is moving along quickly. Just a few moments ago, crews used a crane to lift and remove a massive piece of track. The ride closed on Monday and is set to reopen next year at Magic Kingdom.”
Photos and videos show workers carefully removing a large section of track, lifted skyward by a towering crane visible from across the park. Madi (@madidavis07) shared her experience, posting:
“today while we were in line for haunted mansion!”*
The accelerated pace of this refurbishment has surprised fans, given Disney’s reputation for taking its time with major projects. Some speculate that this urgency may be Disney’s response to Universal’s highly anticipated Epic Universe, which is set to open in 2025 and poses significant competition in Central Florida.
In a post-D23 Expo discussion, Josh D’Amaro addressed the challenges of Disney’s large-scale initiatives, noting that while the company doesn’t always “get it right,” their choices aim to inspire future generations of fans.
Are you excited about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s enhancements, or will you miss the classic experience? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
