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Credit: Inside the MagicAfter Disney announced significant changes to the Magic Kingdom at the D23 Expo, it became clear that the park would undergo significant renovations soon. However, no one thought the changes to Walt Disney World’s flagship park would be this sweeping.
Disney World has already announced that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will close to make way for the new Cars Land, but no one could have predicted the announcement that came down today.
According to Disney insider Scott Gustin, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom will close on January 6. The attraction will remain closed for 2025 and reopen in 2026 with “new enhancements.”
Disney did not provide further details on what “new enhancements” meant, but Disney fans speculated that this could relate to the new Cars Land and perhaps the new Villains Land announced at the D23 expo.
NEW: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park will close for an extended refurbishment on Jan. 6, 2025. The last day to ride before it closes is Jan. 5.
The ride is planned to reopen in 2026 with new enhancements. No other details provided. pic.twitter.com/TcXOVNnArY
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 14, 2024
While making this announcement, Disney also told fans that several of the attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close on January 12. However, DINOSAUR was not included on the list of attractions that will close early next year.
Significant Changes Coming to the Magic Kingdom
Fans already knew significant changes were coming to the Magic Kingdom, such as removing the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. However, many Disney fans were saddened to see two of the park’s iconic attractions disappear in favor of the new Cars Land.
Fans speculated on the location of the new Disney Villains land, and today’s announcement suggests that it, too, will be somewhere behind the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
This also leads to serious questions about the theming in Frontierland and Liberty Square and how the Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain will fit into this new aesthetic.
Despite all the remaining questions, this announcement clearly states that rather than waiting for Blue Sky projects, Disney fans will finally see some shovels in the ground in 2025. Disney fans have long desired this project toward tangible new attractions.
So, Big Thunder fans, you better get on the ride in 2024; otherwise, you’ll have to wait until 2026 to experience the wildest ride in the wilderness.