New Big Thunder Mountain Details Shared by Walt Disney Imagineering

More details, including brand-new and returning effects, have been announced for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment

A train-themed roller coaster speeds along tracks set against a backdrop of reddish rock formations and a clear, blue sky. Passengers are visible in the ride cars. Trees and water are seen in the background.

In a video shared on Good Morning America, we learned more about the variety of changes coming to the coaster including all-new ride vehicles and refreshed Audio-Animatronics figures. The mountain will also “push back against you” among gold props being used on the mountain for the first time, as well. Also hinted in the video is the return of long inoperable effects.

See the clip shared by WDW Magic below. Details are also shared regarding the refurbished Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

The opening timeframe for Big Thunder Mountain was announced late last year for this refurbishment, which promised new bells and whistles.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad concept art of the Rainbow Caverns

Disney previously announced Big Thunder would get an updated opening scene with a transformation of the Rainbow Caverns. In the 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.

Watch our full ride POV of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from before its closure below.