Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Timeline Updated with New Permit

Gallery / 5 Photos
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad overview

Posted: Friday October 25, 2024 1:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment project at Magic Kingdom, with an indication of a possible timeline for completion.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for at least a year at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

The permit has been assigned to DPR Construction, a company known for its expertise in complex and technical projects, and is valid through March 13, 2026.

This is the second permit, following an earlier filing with Coastal Steel, which carries an expiration of August 8, 2025.

2026 Reopening

This new permit sheds light on a potential reopening timeline for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Initially, Disney confirmed the attraction would close for refurbishment starting January 6, 2025, with a target reopening in 2026. With DPR Construction assigned to the project and the permit's expiration extending into March 2026, it's possible that guests may not see Big Thunder reopen until at least spring 2026. While permits provide some insight, they aren't always a reliable indicator of a project's exact timeline. For now, however, they offer the best available information.

Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain will close on January 6, 2025

A Comprehensive Overhaul for the Iconic Attraction

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a fan-favorite since its debut at Magic Kingdom in 1980, is set for its most extensive refurbishment yet. Earlier permits had already hinted at large-scale updates, focusing on the attraction's core ride system and other essential components. Disney has yet to announce specific details about what new elements might be introduced, but the refurbishment promises "a little bit of new magic" upon reopening.

Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad underwent a similar large-scale overhaul in 2012, during which significant updates were made to both the ride system and visual elements.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad overview

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

gerarar2 days ago

Goofyernmost5 days ago

Cool! It will happen just in time for my 93 birthday. Something to look forward too.

Disstevefan16 days ago

Just great! Construction walls around RoA from 2025 to 2043 😉

Raineman6 days ago

I believe so, just like we'll be arguing about Cars Land/ROA in that thread until Cars Land opens in June of 2043.

JoeCamel8 days ago

You don't clock in by 0700 Mickey gonna be big mad.......

flynnibus8 days ago

Just saying people are trying to authoritatively speak on the utilization of the project time and space… and people really don’t even know the daily cadence of the site. Credibility of knowing how fast disney is going vs potential… not so good…. Like i said, they don’t limit themselves to working only at night when working off stage…. Sometimes even on stage. This site is largely separated from guest access. I imagine one of the biggest issues is there is little area to put stuff down within the attraction’s footprint

TrainsOfDisney8 days ago

Why not? For that matter why not 3 shifts? I’m not saying that’s what should happen, but yes, 3 shifts would complete the project quicker I’m sure.

JD808 days ago

You think major progress can be had in a second shift, in an outdoor construction project in an operating themepark? edit to add: Yes there is work done at different hours, but I don't think doubling the crew would gain you any meaningful ROI.

dmc4938 days ago

Good lord are we still back and forth on the timing thing? It was probably always planned this long, and we all stare at permit expiration dates too much and read too much into everything.

Disstevefan18 days ago

Are we going to argue about this until it opens in December of 2026? ;) ;) ;) Please don't get triggered, the winky emoji means I am joking I have no idea when this will open.

flynnibus8 days ago

"You also have to consider about BTM is space. There isn't much space for more people to do more work. Like literal space where people can stand and do things" Solution: you don't work at the same time... but you're right... "sigh"

JD808 days ago

Sigh.

flynnibus8 days ago

Does anyone even know how many shifts are working on the site? This is a dead-end in the park - with the site hundreds of feet from any of the open guest areas.