In the world of theme park construction, it’s not always clear when things will or will not be opening. In the case of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom, there might be some clarity, based on a recent Notice of Commencement.
The Big Thunder Mountain closure is expected to take effect on January 6th, where the ride will be down for a lengthy refurbishment. And while we expect it to be closed for over a year, the new information gives, at least for now, a look at a potential completion timeline that stretches into March of 2026
Big Thunder Mountain Closure
A Notice of Commencement (NOC) is a legal document that officially marks the beginning of a construction project. It is typically filed by the property owner or the general contractor with the appropriate government agency, and serves several important functions, including the identification of key participants in the project.
According to WDW Magic, Coastal Construction has been identified as a contractor for the project, and their document for “General Construction” expires on March 13th, 2026, meaning we may be at least a year away from the attraction reopening. DPR Construction also has March 13th, 2026 set as their expiration date.
Coastal Steel originally had a permit set to expire August 8th, 2025, so this new date adds some 7 months to the construction timeline. This seems to reinforce the prevailing idea that the project is going to be extensive and complicated. And while this information is helpful, complicated projects like this are always subject to change.
Cranes first arrived behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in mid-December, possibly to be used in the replacement of the attraction’s track.
In the meantime, we will just have to hold onto our hats and glasses, waiting to see what happens to the “wildest ride in the wilderness.”
Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris is also closing for a lengthy refurbishment.
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