It was recently announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will have a new opening scene when it reopens at Magic Kingdom. However, with an updated description for the attraction now posted online, it appears more than just the beginning may be changing.
New Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Scene
In the updated opening scene, the trains enter the Rainbow Caverns, full of hundreds of bats, phosphorescent pools, and shimmering stalagmites and stalactites. It starts as a majestic, beautiful scene. After, thunder rumbles and it changes to something menacing. Disney shared concept art of the before and after.
While Disney announced that more “new magic” for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be announced later, a new online update hints at what some of that magic might be.
More New Magic for Big Thunder Mountain
While the first website paragraph focuses on the previously announced new magic for Rainbow Caverns, it is the story description that hints to more changes.
The particularly interesting section of the text reads “dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons, and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.”
This updated description could mean that the Magic Kingdom version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting a similar scene to the Disneyland version. Added 2012, the scene depicts dynamite exploding in a simulated earthquake effect around the train as climbs the final lift hill.
Big Thunder Mountain Reopening
Disney hasn’t shared a more specific reopening timeline for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It closed in January 2025 and received brand new track with approximately the same layout as previously. We got an in-person look at one of the refurbished trains a few months ago.
Missing the beloved coaster? Watch our POV of the previous version below:
Are you excited for this updated version of Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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