Disney Teases Early Reopening for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

For months, fans of Magic Kingdom’s wildest ride in the wilderness have been watching and waiting for signs of progress. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 2025 for a massive, top-to-bottom refurbishment, and it’s slowly starting to look like that long wait is finally paying off.

Crews have been hard at work refreshing the beloved attraction, and now, there’s some very good news that has guests buzzing.

A Legendary Icon Returns to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

According to reports from WDWNT, one of the goats has officially returned to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

This isn’t the legendary Billy the Goat, known for holding a stick of TNT in his mouth, but it’s still a big deal for longtime fans. The goat’s reappearance means progress — visible, tangible signs that the mountain is coming back to life. He’s perched proudly at the top of one of the peaks, freshly spruced up and back where he belongs after being absent for quite some time.

It might sound like a small update, but anyone familiar with Disney’s refurbishments knows that these small touches often signal that the attraction is nearing the end of its overhaul. The return of set pieces and figures usually comes after major structural and track work has wrapped up, which means this could be one of the clearest signs yet that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is on the home stretch.

The Latest on the Magic Kingdom Coaster’s Refurbishment

This isn’t just your average fresh coat of paint. The refurbishment includes a full replacement of the ride’s track and an all-new opening scene designed to enhance the storytelling before the train even departs the station. Disney’s creative team is keeping most details under wraps, but it’s expected that the new scene will tie more closely to the Western mining-town narrative that defines the attraction.

Meanwhile, several areas of the mountain have been repainted and refurbished, with lighter brown matte finishes already complete and other sections still in progress. Construction walls have also been repositioned near the entrance structure, and scaffolding continues to wrap around parts of the mountain as finishing touches are applied.

For those keeping track, this refurbishment marks one of the most extensive updates the attraction has seen in years, ensuring that future guests will experience the same thrills but with a smoother, more immersive ride than ever before.

When Will It Reopen?

The big question on everyone’s mind, of course, is when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will finally reopen. While Disney has not confirmed an exact date, the coaster is currently on track for a 2026 reopening — and based on how close things are looking now, there’s hope it’ll be early 2026. If Disney can hit that timeline, fans could be riding the rails again before spring break crowds hit.

This timing would make perfect sense, as the company continues to prepare for a major year of park updates and new offerings across Walt Disney World Resort. Between Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and the ongoing changes in Frontierland, Big Thunder’s return is shaping up to be a centerpiece moment for Magic Kingdom.

The Wildest Ride Is Almost Ready to Roll Again

Few attractions capture the spirit of classic Disney like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. From its runaway mine train to its catchy soundtrack and detailed theming, it’s a fan-favorite that appeals to just about everyone — thrilling, but still family-friendly. It’s the kind of ride that generations of guests have experienced together, laughing, screaming, and clutching their hats as they round that final turn into the tunnel.

With the goat back on the mountain and refurbishment efforts clearly winding down, it’s safe to say that Big Thunder is getting ready for its big comeback. And when those trains finally start running again, guests will once more hear that familiar warning from the loudspeaker: “Hang on to them hats and glasses, ’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!”

Until then, fans will have to settle for construction updates — and the comforting sight of a goat who’s once again standing tall over Magic Kingdom’s red rocks, signaling that the thunder is about to roll once more.