Big Thunder Mountain fans, brace yourselves—one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic rides is about to take a year-long break!
Starting January 6, 2025, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for all of 2025 and won’t reopen until sometime in 2026. Yep, you heard that right—an entire year without the wildest ride in the wilderness!
So, what’s going on? Disney hasn’t revealed all the details just yet, but they’ve promised “new enhancements.” If Disneyland’s 2013 upgrade is anything to go by, we might see better tracks, new ride vehicles, or maybe even some fancy effects like projection mapping. It’s hard to say for sure, but one thing’s clear: it’s going to be a long wait before you can experience those twists and turns again.
But don’t get too bummed out! Disney has a ton of new stuff coming to Frontierland, including the much-anticipated Cars Land. Say goodbye to the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island as they make way for a land dedicated to everyone’s favorite talking cars, which, of course, has provided plenty of controversy in itself.
Expect high-speed thrills with a rally race attraction and something the whole family can enjoy, too. Plus, let’s not forget Disney Villains Land, which will pop up behind Big Thunder Mountain. With all these changes, Magic Kingdom’s looking at a serious makeover!
Now, while all this is happening, rumors are heating up that another classic Disney ride might be next on the refurbishment list: the Haunted Mansion. Speculation is swirling that 2026 could be the year for some changes to the beloved spooky ride. We’re not talking a complete overhaul here—don’t worry, your favorite ghosts will still haunt the halls—but Disney has been on a roll updating its attractions, and Haunted Mansion could definitely get some fresh new effects or a facelift.
A little update to Haunted Mansion might not be the worst thing in the world, depending on the timing and length of the closure. The ride’s charm has stood the test of time, but imagine some new, eerie special effects or updated animatronics! Disney’s been balancing nostalgia with modern upgrades pretty well lately, so any changes would probably just enhance what’s already one of the best rides in the park.
So, while we’ll have to say goodbye to Big Thunder Mountain for a while, and maybe even see some tweaks to the Haunted Mansion, there’s a lot of exciting stuff coming to Magic Kingdom. Between Cars Land, Villains Land, and the potential Haunted Mansion updates, Disney fans have plenty to look forward to over the next few years!
