Magic Kingdom Park, the crown jewel of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, faced a rough start this weekend.
Since opening its doors on October 1, 1971, this iconic park has been the heart of Disney’s Florida adventure, featuring beloved attractions like “it’s a small world,” Jungle Cruise, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and the recently debuted Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Despite being the most visited theme park in the world, Magic Kingdom isn’t immune to operational hiccups. Over the weekend, guests arriving at the park around 9 a.m. were greeted with a series of ride closures that threw a wrench into their plans.
A Morning of Unexpected Closures for Magic Kingdom
Upon arrival, guests discovered that four of Magic Kingdom’s most popular rides were unexpectedly out of action: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
This left Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as the only major “mountain” ride available, which is a rare situation given the ride’s recent history of issues since replacing Splash Mountain earlier this year.
A tweet from a visitor perfectly summed up the chaos:
“Niche tweet but I’m at Magic Kingdom on a Saturday. It’s 9am and Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Tron, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are all out of action. Ironically Tiana’s/Splash Mountain (which is always broken) is working fine, but this is going to be absolute chaos.”
Niche tweet but I’m at Magic Kingdom on a Saturday. It’s 9am and Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Tron and Seven Dwarves Mine Train are all out of action. Ironically Tiana’s/Splash Mountain (which is always broken) is working fine, but this is going to be absolute chaos.
— Dr. Chris Ince (@Chris_Ince) September 7, 2024
Updates and Ongoing Disruptions
By 12:30 p.m., the situation had improved somewhat, with Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Space Mountain resuming operation. However, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remained listed as “temporarily closed” on the My Disney Experience app.
The reasons behind this extended closure are unclear, but speculation is rife. A major refurbishment for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been rumored for months. Disney has even secured a permit for a significant project that may involve a complete track replacement, with work expected to continue through August 8, 2025.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which first opened 45 years ago, last underwent a significant renovation 12 years ago. During a four-month closure in 2012, the ride received updates, but the track layout has otherwise remained unchanged.
If the rumored refurbishment proceeds, it would mark a substantial overhaul for this classic attraction.
Future Developments at Magic Kingdom
In addition to potential ride updates, Magic Kingdom Park has exciting new developments on the horizon.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced at D23 that the park will soon introduce its own version of Cars Land in the area currently occupied by Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America. A new Villains Land is also planned to be located between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Haunted Mansion.
Additionally, a brand-new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, is slated to debut in the summer of 2025, promising to add even more magic to the park’s evenings.
With all these changes and updates, Magic Kingdom Park continues to evolve while still delivering the enchanting experiences that guests have come to love.
What’s your favorite ride at Magic Kingdom Park? Let us know in the comments!
