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Credit: Flickr/Joe PennistonWork on one of Disney’s flagship roller coasters is moving along nicely.
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Work is moving quickly on a variety of projects inside and around Walt Disney World. From Animal Kingdom to EPCOT, guests have a lot to look forward to at “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” as 2025 is perhaps one of the most critical years in the resort’s history.
Magic Kingdom is especially interesting to keep tabs on, with several projects now unfolding. Earlier this summer, the park’s new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, The Beak and Barrel, officially opened. Work is also underway on Haunted Mansion’s queue, as well as Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Cars-inspired addition, Piston Peak.
However, Magic Kingdom is currently down one major thrill ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The Wild West-themed roller coaster closed for a hefty refurbishment back in January, marking one of the longest closures Walt Disney World fans have seen in quite some time.
It appears the project has moved on to a new phase, with scaffolding now up and around the main queue building. We assume this section of the attraction will receive new paint and other touch-ups.
This latest update comes courtesy of Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) on Twitter, who snapped several photos of the ongoing refurbishment.
Walt Disney Imagineering is preparing for the next phase of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment at Magic Kingdom!
Scaffolding is up around the main queue building, implying that this is the next area to be repainted and refurbished.
Walt Disney Imagineering is preparing for the next phase of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment at Magic Kingdom!
Scaffolding is up around the main queue building, implying that this is the next area to be repainted and refurbished. pic.twitter.com/IUcwmzgLup
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) September 8, 2025
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Over the last few months, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has received new track pieces as well as some other upgrades, though details about the ride remain scarce. Earlier this year, Disney teased other enhancements coming to the attraction. This small tease included new concept art revealing what the first “cavern” scene will look like when the roller coaster finally does reopen.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is not expected to return until sometime in 2026, a year that is already chock-full of other exciting projects, renovations, and remodels.
Most notably, next year marks the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The prehistoric area has been a part of the park since it opened in 1998, offering visitors places to shop and dine, as well as a few rides and attractions to enjoy.
Only DinoLand’s ferocious and thrilling dark ride DINOSAUR remains open. The attraction has also been around since Animal Kingdom’s grand opening, serving up smiles and scares for over two decades. DINOSAUR and the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. officially go extinct on February 2, 2026.
What Walt Disney World project are you most excited about?