If you’ve been anywhere near Frontierland at Magic Kingdom lately, you might’ve noticed something feels lighter.
That’s because Disney just removed the giant crane looming behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and yes—that’s a much bigger deal than it sounds.
This isn’t just about skyline aesthetics. It marks the end of a major construction phase that’s been going on for months—and it means things are about to get a lot more exciting for fans of the wildest ride in the wilderness.
Goodbye, Crane. Hello, Progress.
The crane first showed up in December 2024, well before the ride even officially closed. That alone raised eyebrows. When Disney rolls in a crane that size, they’re not just painting fences. Sure enough, the project involved a complete roller coaster track replacement—something rarely done on this scale.
The ride closed in early 2025, and from January 8 onward, crews got to work tearing out the old track and installing brand-new rails. The final pieces of the new track were locked in place shortly after Memorial Day, and since then, Disney’s been moving right along with the behind-the-scenes testing.
Removing the crane is more than just a visual change—it’s a statement. It says: “We finished the heavy lifting. Literally.”
Now Comes the Fine-Tuning
Don’t expect to hop on the train just yet, but we’re getting there. Disney’s already been spotted doing push-pull testing—where they guide empty ride vehicles slowly through the track to make sure everything fits perfectly and moves as expected. After that comes envelope testing, which basically confirms that nothing is too close to guests as the ride moves.
Eventually, Disney will test the coaster at full speed, and Cast Members will begin training on the new system. All of this is leading toward a grand reopening sometime in 2026.
Will There Be “New Magic”?
That’s the rumor—and Disney themselves hinted at it. No confirmed details yet, but many fans are hoping the Florida version of Big Thunder finally gets the explosive finale seen in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. It would be the perfect enhancement to go along with all that shiny new track.
With the crane gone and testing underway, the biggest physical hurdle has been cleared. Now we’re down to the fun stuff: effects, testing, storytelling… and the countdown to opening.
So yeah—it’s official. The biggest part of Big Thunder’s refurbishment is over. That clanking, careening, dynamite-laced coaster is one step closer to returning—and we’re more than ready to ride.
