Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s entrance area has expanded at Magic Kingdom Park as construction walls pull back to reveal new pavement, signaling the 46-year-old Frontierland roller coaster’s spring reopening is approaching.
WDWNT reported that the walkway to the attraction now features brand-new pavement with signs warning guests not to park strollers in the reopened space. The outlet posted a photo on Facebook showing the construction zone, including the expanded entrance area.
Rainbow Caverns Overhaul
The refurbishment, which began over a year ago, centers on a reimagined opening scene featuring updated Rainbow Caverns. Walt Disney World Resort promised “new magic” through the transformation.
Concept art shows guests entering glimmering Rainbow Caverns filled with hundreds of bats, phosphorescent pools, and glittering stalagmites and stalactites. The caverns will “rumble” as the mountain “fights back,” incorporating gold props and brand-new custom audio-animatronics from Walt Disney Imagineering.
Construction Progress Visible
Scaffolding continues surrounding wooden structures on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Crews have replaced the entire steel roller coaster track and introduced newly painted trains that have been undergoing testing for several months.
Construction cast members are frequently spotted working on the attraction throughout the day. The pulled-back entrance walls and fresh pavement suggest exterior work is nearing completion as Disney prepares for reopening.
Spring Reopening Scheduled
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced a specific reopening date beyond “sometime this spring.” Spring technically runs from late March through late June, leaving a three-month window for the attraction to debut.
The expanding accessible areas and visible progress suggest Walt Disney World Resort is confident it can meet the spring timeline after more than a year of comprehensive refurbishment of the Magic Kingdom landmark.
The updated Rainbow Caverns and the complete track replacement are among the most significant changes to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad since it opened at Magic Kingdom in 1979, three years after the original version of the roller coaster debuted at Disneyland Park.
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