As Walt Disney World Resort welcomes guests into an exciting 2025, the parks are in the midst of significant transformation. The grand reopening of the entire resort on May 21 marks not just a historic moment, but also the beginning of a new era of storytelling and innovation across Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Over in Frontierland, change is already underway. On January 6, 2025, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—a beloved attraction for decades—officially closed for refurbishment. The final ride took place just one day prior, with fans lining up for one last journey.
According to Disney’s official site, the attraction will “temporarily close for refurbishment on January 6, 2025” and reopen “with a little bit of new magic in 2026.” Though exact details haven’t been shared, construction activity quickly ramped up, including the dramatic lift of a massive track section visible from Liberty Square—even the Haunted Mansion queue offered a view.
The project has continued to pick up steam. In March, a Notice of Commencement was filed by Walt Disney Imagineering, signaling progress. As WDWMagic reported: “Another milestone in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment has been reached, as Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) has filed a new Notice of Commencement for the Magic Kingdom attraction.”
The filing outlines plans to “Install set elements” with Icarus Exhibits, Inc.—a company celebrated for their work in themed design—named as contractor.
More recently, a second notice was filed that deepens the attraction’s transformation.
“Walt Disney Imagineering has filed another Notice of Commencement for the ongoing refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom,” shared WDWMagic. “The new filing lists Mecca Productions as the contractor, with the scope described as ‘Install set elements.’”
The outlet added: “This is the second recent filing tied to set installation work for Big Thunder, following a similar Notice of Commencement assigned to Icarus Exhibits. The permit carries the standard one-year expiration and does not extend the potential timeline of the longest permit filed so far, which is with DPR Construction through April 15, 2026.”
These updates play into something much larger—a reimagined Frontierland. Announced at the 2024 D23 Expo, Disney plans to introduce the world of Cars into the area, joining the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the updated Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. As part of this evolution, longtime favorites like Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will be retired, creating space for new adventures.
Meanwhile, exciting things are unfolding at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The future Tropical Americas-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza, is moving closer to reality. On January 13, 2025, guests said farewell to TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games, signaling the closure of much of DinoLand U.S.A.. Since then, the area has been partially removed from park maps.
Still, not everything from DinoLand is disappearing. The attraction DINOSAUR remains operational, with Disney confirming it will stay open throughout 2025 despite rumors of its closure. No end date has been announced.
Disney’s commitment to evolution is evident, and moving faster than some may have anticipated. With Universal’s Epic Universe opening this month, momentum across Central Florida is reaching new levels. At last year’s INBOUND conference in Boston, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared thoughts on the path ahead, saying that the evolution at the Disney theme parks is for the next generation of guests.
How do you feel about the absence of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad this summer? Let us know in the comments down below!
