After 33 years of sending Disneyland Paris Resort guests on an exhilarating ride through the Old West, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting a makeover. Like its Magic Kingdom Park counterpart, the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness closed in January for a months-long refurbishment. Read on for the latest construction update.
First opening in Disneyland Park in California in 1979, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad quickly became a quintessential part of the Disney Park experience. Magic Kingdom Park in Florida debuted its version in 1980, followed by Tokyo Disneyland in 1987 and Disneyland Paris in 1992. Each park’s version has slight differences, but all feature thrilling twists and drops through a mine train-themed adventure set in the Wild West.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed at Disneyland Paris Resort on January 6, 2025. Guests hoping to experience the ride during their visit will need to wait until the refurbishment is completed in the summer of 2025. While details on the exact scope of the update have not been fully revealed, Disneyland Paris has assured fans that the refurbishment will enhance the experience while still staying true to the original creative vision and preserving the essence of Frontierland.
As work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, photos shared by fans, like these from @DLPReport, show construction crews busy at work around the attraction:
🔧 A look at the ongoing refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain. This phase is scheduled to end late June.
🔧 A look at the ongoing refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain. This phase is scheduled to end late June. pic.twitter.com/cHYxZg3UJ2
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 1, 2025
Disneyland Paris Resort isn’t alone in its efforts to improve the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness. Walt Disney World Resort also began refurbishing its own Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in January 2025 amid other changes in Frontierland, like the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure retheme and future Cars (2006) rides.
Magic Kingdom Park’s version of the ride closed for a much longer refurbishment, with its reopening scheduled for 2026. Although Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t yet shared specifics on what will be changed, the promise of “new magic” has fans excited for what’s to come.
Should Disneyland Resort also update its version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
