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Credit: DisneyDisney fans are preparing for a significant change at Magic Kingdom as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to close for an extended period in 2025.
The iconic Frontierland attraction will shut down on January 6, 2025, and is expected to remain closed for the entire year, reopening sometime in 2026. This announcement comes as part of Disney’s continued efforts to revamp its parks and introduce new attractions.
Big Thunder Mountain’s closure is a result of Disney’s push to enhance the guest experience with “new enhancements” to the ride. While details on these improvements remain scarce, some fans speculate that the changes could be similar to the enhancements Disneyland’s version received in 2013.
The California park’s updates included improved tracks, trains, and an enhanced finale featuring projection mapping and lighting. It’s unclear if Walt Disney World’s version will receive similar upgrades, but the length of the closure suggests a significant overhaul.
Adding to the excitement, Big Thunder Mountain’s closure coincides with the development of the highly anticipated CarsLand, which is set to replace parts of Frontierland, including the beloved Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
This Cars-themed land, which was first teased at the 2022 D23 Expo, will bring two new attractions to the park, including a thrilling rally race for older guests and a family-friendly ride.
The addition of Cars Land represents a major expansion for Magic Kingdom, alongside the upcoming Disney Villains Land, which will also be located behind Big Thunder Mountain.
While the closure of Big Thunder Mountain and the arrival of Cars Land signal exciting developments for Disney fans, it also raises questions about the future of other classic attractions at Magic Kingdom. With Disney’s increasing focus on refurbishing or replacing older rides, rumors are swirling about the potential transformation of another beloved attraction: the Haunted Mansion.
Is Haunted Mansion next to close for Disney World?
If Walt Disney World Resort follows the ways of Disneyland Resort — as it seems to be doing with Big Thunder Mountain in 2025 — that could mean that Haunted Mansion is next on the list.
Fans have speculated for a while that Haunted Mansion could be next on Disney’s refurbishment list. While there is no official confirmation, many believe that 2026 could be the year for this iconic ride to undergo a transformation, especially since Big Thunder Mountain will already be closed for all of 2025.
However, it’s important to note that any changes to the Haunted Mansion are purely speculative at this point.
Unlike some of the more drastic changes happening elsewhere in the Disney World park, any refurbishment of the Haunted Mansion is expected to be more of an enhancement rather than a complete overhaul.
Fans can rest assured that the ride’s core experience, with its spooky charm and beloved ghosts, will remain intact. Instead, any updates would likely focus on modernizing certain elements, perhaps incorporating new special effects or animatronics to enhance the guest experience.
While fans may be apprehensive about changes to their favorite rides, it will be interesting to see how Disney balances the nostalgia with all the changes coming to Magic Kingdom. Hopefully they’ll be able to do it in a way that fans will approve when the time does come for Haunted Mansion to undergo a refurbishment.
Whether or not it happens in 2026, we can expect that a refresh will come at some point.
As we look ahead to the future of Magic Kingdom, the changes to Frontierland and the potential refurbishment of the Haunted Mansion offer a glimpse into how Disney is continuously evolving to meet the expectations of its guests.
Whether it’s the thrill of racing through Cars Land or the eerie charm of a reimagined Haunted Mansion, Disney fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
When do you think Disney refurbishes the Haunted Mansion? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!