As Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom prepares to reopen in early May, queue work is being completed, and more themed pavement is being installed. The coaster has been closed since January 2025.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Work

This morning, March 19, we spotted a construction crew actively working on the outdoor queue at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It appears they are currently working on the lower levels of the queue today, the ramps that lead up to the indoor queue.

Plastic tarps are covering some of the outdoor decorative elements along the queue line pathways.

Outside of the construction walls around the attraction, the themed pavement installations are also well underway. The new pavement is the textured, brown pavement that resembles rocky ground. The old pavement is a richer, redder color. It is flat and untextured. This new pavement looks like a rough-and-tumble Western pathway.

We first noticed this new pavement earlier this month. For reference, here is what the pavement used to look like:

When Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens, it will have an updated opening scene with a transformation of the Rainbow Caverns, refreshed Audio-Animatronics, and gold props. The ride’s entire track was replaced.

Watch our POV of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from before its closure below:

Disney has also announced opening dates for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, Bluey’s Wild World at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT.

Are you excited to ride this refurbished version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Let us know on social media!

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