Credit: Disney As things are going, the last quarter of 2025 could be the year without the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney’s domestic parks. At Disney World, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad shut down in January and isn’t supposed to return until early 2026.
While the railroad is making some steps toward returning, Disney still has not announced when Big Thunder will return. With most of Frontierland around the Big Thunder Railroad under construction, early 2026 seems like a reasonable time for its return.
At least Disney fans had the Disneyland version of Big Thunder Mountain to hold them over until the return of the Disney World version. However, that’s about to change.
Despite Disneyland celebrating its 70th Anniversary, the refurbishments won’t wait for the end of the celebration. Disneyland announced that its Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will shut down on September 2 for an undisclosed period.
This closure is doubly frustrating for Disney fans. Those heading to Disneyland to celebrate the Park’s 70th Anniversary will be shut out of Big Thunder Mountain, while those looking for a chance to ride Big Thunder in 2025 are also out of luck.
The other issue with this refurbishment is that Disney has not announced when the attraction will reopen. With other attractions that were shut down for refurbishment, Big Thunder Mountain does not have a reopening date.
Thunder Mountain is the latest attraction to be added to a growing list of rides/attractions that will be shutting down over the next month for refurbishment. The list includes:
Haunted Mansion-August 9-21
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room- Closing September 7- reopening TBA
Storybook Land Canal Boats- Closing September 8- reopening TBA
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues- Closed Until September 4
Incredicoaster- Closed through August 14
Radiator Springs Racers- Closes on August 18
With Thunder Mountain now added to the list, Disneyland is ringing in its 70th Anniversary with a ton of refurbishments to end the summer. Hopefully, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will return before the holidays, but Disney has not given fans a reason to believe.
What do you think of Disneyland completing so many refurbishments during its 70th Anniversary? Let us know in the comments.