A major chapter in Magic Kingdom Park’s history has temporarily come to a close, leaving Disney fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.
Amid the festive chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s easy to overlook the transformative changes brewing for Walt Disney World Resort. Heading into 2025, Disney is ushering in a new era, with sweeping projects like EPCOT’s Test Track reimagining and the ambitious overhaul of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
But no change has sparked more debate than the redevelopment of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Park. First unveiled at the 2024 D23 Expo, the redesign will bring Pixar’s Cars franchise to the park, integrating with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. However, this evolution comes at a cost—beloved staples like Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are being erased from the park’s landscape.
In a move that shocked fans, Disney officially shuttered Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on January 6, 2025, for what is being called its most extensive refurbishment yet. The official announcement stated the ride would “temporarily close for refurbishment on January 6, 2025” and “reopen with a little bit of new magic in 2026.” Fans took their final ride on January 5, marking the start of a year-long closure.
Speculation suggests the updates could mirror enhancements made to the Disneyland version in California, over a decade ago. Late 2024 filings for the project offered hints at the scale of the renovation. As WDWMagic reported, “The permit, filed today, is assigned to long-time Disney Imagineering partner Elite AV Systems Inc. and expires on December 3, 2025.” Additional permits revealed collaborations with Coastal Steel Inc. for construction and DPR Construction for structural updates, valid until March 2026.
Just days into the closure, Disney wasted no time, rapidly diving into refurbishment work. Social media buzzed as photos and videos surfaced of construction crews dismantling sections of the track. Theme park reporter Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) shared an update on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment work is moving along quickly. Just a few moments ago, crews used a crane to lift and remove a massive piece of track. The ride closed on Monday and is set to reopen next year at Magic Kingdom.”
The footage captured workers on-site, with a crane lifting an enormous piece of the iconic coaster track high into the air—visible from across the park. Meanwhile, Madi (@madidavis07) shared snapshots of the dramatic scene, writing:
“today while we were in line for haunted mansion!”
Disney’s swift action has surprised many, given their often slow pace with large-scale projects. This urgency could stem from mounting competition as Universal’s Epic Universe looms on the horizon, promising to reshape the Central Florida theme park landscape in mere months.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro addressed these challenges at the INBOUND conference in Boston, acknowledging that while Disney doesn’t always “get it right,” every decision is made with future generations in mind.
How do you feel about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s year-long closure? Are you excited about the changes or nostalgic for what’s being left behind? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
