Walt Disney World has announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom will reopen on 3rd May 2026. The ride has been closed for a full refurbishment throughout 2025 and into 2026.
Disney has installed a new track and refreshed the passenger trains as part of the refurbishment. The aim, according to Disney, was to keep the attraction's existing story and energy intact while adding new life and detail to the experience. There's also new content built into the attraction, with Disney teasing that there are "new moments for guests to discover."
Height Requirement Change
For families travelling with younger children, this refurbishment comes with a lowered height requirement - Big Thunder Mountain will now admit riders who are 38 inches (just under 97cm) tall, down from the previous 40 inches (approximately 102cm). That's a small but meaningful change if you've got a child who was previously an inch or two short of riding.
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The Rainbow Caverns
One of the specific new additions Disney has confirmed is a sequence involving the Rainbow Caverns - underground caverns with phosphorescent pools and what the press release describes as "iridescent stalagmites and stalactites." Stalagmites grow up from the floor, stalactites hang from the ceiling, for anyone who wants to look knowledgeable when explaining it to their kids. The caverns are said to be beautiful but not exactly welcoming, with ominous rumblings suggesting the mountain hasn't quite finished making its feelings known. It sounds like a decent addition to an already solid ride experience.
Planning Your Visit from the UK
Big Thunder Mountain reopens on 3rd May 2026, which sits just before the US summer season picks up properly - though American school summer holidays don't tend to start until mid-June, so late May and early June can actually be a reasonable window for UK visitors looking for slightly lighter crowds.
UK visitors can take advantage of the current Walt Disney World offer for select 2026 stays and experience Big Thunder Mountain fresh from its refurbishment - including up to three free nights and 20% off 14-day tickets. See the full offer and check availability here.
