Monday, September 1, 2025, marks the final day for guests to experience Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Park as it has been known for decades. This includes Rainbow Ridge, the fictional town that forms part of the Frontierland roller coaster and pays homage to its predecessor, Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland.
Last month, Disneyland Resort announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would close for a lengthy refurbishment starting September 2—exactly 46 years after the attraction first debuted in Frontierland in 1979. Unlike typical Disney Park maintenance projects, this refurbishment currently has no publicly listed end date. The Disneyland Resort operational calendar runs through October 13, 2025, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still listed as “no times available” on that date.
On Monday, a post from u/NaiRad1000 prompted Disney Parks fans to share their disappointment about the extended closure.
Today is the Last day to ride Thunder Mountain before it refurbishment
“We're going late October and I'm so sad it will likely still be closed then..it was closed during our December visit last year too and it's one of our favourite rides,” u/panicbiscuits commented.
“I hope it’s not down for too long,” u/Orchid2113 replied. “It’s one of my favorites. Thankfully, my husband and kids and I got on it twice on Saturday!”
Not all reactions were sad—some felt that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had long overstayed its welcome at Disneyland Park.
“This ride is always down and still as painful since the 90s,” u/Old_Warthog_3515 argued. “Get rid of it.”
Disneyland Park isn’t the only Disney Park refreshing its Frontierland mine train coaster. In January, Walt Disney World Resort closed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park for a year-long refurbishment, promising “new magic” for the ride when it reopens early next year. Central Florida Disney Park guests have watched crews repaint set elements and replace nearly the entire steel roller coaster track over the past several months.
It’s unclear whether Disneyland Resort will implement similar updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or make any changes to the fictional town of Rainbow Ridge during this refurbishment.
Do any other rides at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park need a lengthy refurbishment? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
