Part of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's entrance emerged from behind construction walls at Magic Kingdom Park, revealing fresh pavement and an expanded walkway as the Frontierland roller coaster nears its spring reopening after more than a year closed.
WDWNT documented the changes, posting a photo on Facebook showing new pavement with signs prohibiting stroller parking in the reopened area. The pulled-back barriers provide the first public glimpse of exterior transformation as Disney prepares to unveil the refurbished attraction.
Rainbow Caverns Getting Complete Redesign
Walt Disney World Resort promised “new magic” when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed over a year ago. The centerpiece is a reimagined opening scene featuring updated Rainbow Caverns.
Concept art depicts guests entering glimmering caverns filled with hundreds of bats, phosphorescent pools, and glittering stalagmites and stalactites. The area will “rumble” as the mountain “fights back,” enhanced by gold props and custom audio-animatronics built by Walt Disney Imagineering specifically for this refurbishment.
Track Replacement Complete
Scaffolding still surrounds wooden structures on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but major work has finished. Crews replaced the entire steel roller coaster track and installed newly painted trains that have undergone months of testing.
Construction cast members are visible working on the attraction daily. The expanded entrance area and fresh pavement indicate exterior finishing touches are underway as interior systems complete final testing.
Spring Debut Approaching
Walt Disney World Resort hasn't specified an exact reopening date beyond “sometime this spring,” a window spanning late March through late June.
The increasingly visible progress and pulled-back construction barriers suggest Walt Disney World Resort is advancing toward the earlier end of that timeline after comprehensive renovation of the 46-year-old Magic Kingdom landmark.
Have you noticed any other changes around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
