First Piece of New Track Placed at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom

Lauren Shahan

Workers perform maintenance near the entrance of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, using a scaffold for access to the towering artificial rocky mountain feature.

First Piece of New Track Placed at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom

The first piece of new track has been installed as construction work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment

A crane operates near the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, nestled against a rocky mountain structure at an amusement park on a clear day. Trees and pathways meander through the vibrant foreground.

During a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we took a ride on the Liberty Belle riverboat to check on the progress of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment. The attraction has been closed since January 6 and will remain closed through the rest of 2025.

In our last update, we reported that jackhammer work was still happening and more scaffolding had also been set up.

Experience the thrill of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a Western-themed roller coaster featuring wooden structures, red rock formations, and cacti that transport you to an old mining town. Enjoy the rush as trees and a clear blue sky paint the perfect backdrop for your adventure.

As we passed by the front of the mountain, we noticed a plastic covering on the building that houses the ride’s queue. The covering is attached below the awning that holds the “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” sign and is draped down into the rockwork in front of the building. Safety cones are also in place on the right side of the structure near a set of stairs.

In the desert-themed amusement park setting, a rustic wagon with barrels sits beside a wooden bridge, capturing the adventurous spirit of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Additional pieces of plywood and scaffolding lay on the ground near the wagon, implying that more scaffolding structures will likely be set up soon. A small box-like structure holding various construction supplies was sitting near another pile of scaffolding behind the wagon.

Construction workers are on a rocky structure reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, using cranes and ropes under a clear blue sky.

As we rounded the side of the mountain, one of the crew members waved to us from amongst the rockwork.

Workers perform maintenance near the entrance of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, using a scaffold for access to the towering artificial rocky mountain feature.

Turning the corner, we saw a piece of coaster track hanging at the end of the crane ropes, being lowered into the cavern. The crew members were working together to guide the piece of track into place.

Crews have been removing the previous track since the start of January, with most of the track up by mid-month.

Construction workers in orange vests are busy repairing or inspecting a fenced area near the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, with wooden pathways meandering through the rocky structures and surrounded by trees.

A few other crew members were around the side of the mountain near the scaffolding, peering down into a section of rockwork that was previously torn away.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with a “little bit of new magic” sometime in 2026. Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a new Disney villains-themed land will be constructed, so it’s likely the lengthy refurbishment is in preparation for that expansion. A new “Cars”-themed area is also set to take the place of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.

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