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Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrDays after Walt Disney World Resort announced the reopening timeline for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, construction crews marked a huge milestone in the year-long refurbishment of the Frontierland roller coaster. This week, Disney cast members uninstalled the scaffolding that has surrounded the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness since early 2025.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Closure
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed on January 6, 2025, and construction walls quickly surrounded the Frontierland attraction. Walt Disney World Resort guests watched brand-new steel roller coaster tracks arrive at Magic Kingdom Park on flatbeds and, soon after, a crane arrived to lower the new pieces into place.
Crews finished retracking the roller coaster in early fall, and refreshed steam train ride vehicles returned to the roller coaster. Disney Park guests have spotted Walt Disney Imagineers testing the ride on several occasions throughout October, November, and December.
Last week, Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would reopen sometime in the spring of 2026. The refreshed roller coaster is expected to debut with some “new magic,” including an overhauled Rainbow Caverns opening scene.
Latest Update
A few days ago, Disney cast members extended the construction walls that surrounded Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, bringing them closer to the entrance of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and completely concealing the Frontierland Walt Disney World Railroad station. Now, crews have marked another construction milestone.
On Monday, WDWNT reported that the scaffolding surrounding nearly the entire exterior of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had been removed. Despite the construction walls, the temporary support structures on the top part of the attraction were visible from the nearby Frontierland walkway.
Crews continue to test the new steel tracks and updated ride vehicles to ensure they’re safe for guests when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens in 2026. They don’t appear to have started using test dummies yet, which typically signals the final stages of attraction testing.
Other Construction in Frontierland
Frontierland is a hub of construction as Magic Kingdom Park undergoes its biggest expansion yet. In July, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat welcomed their final guests as they prepared to transform into Piston Peak National Park, a new section of Frontierland inspired by Cars (2006). The area will feature two new attractions and a landscape inspired by America’s national parks.
Walt Disney Imagineers are also preparing land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” for the development of a Disney Villains land. Little is known about this all-new addition to Magic Kingdom Park, but it’s expected to include new attractions, entertainment experiences, merchandise locations, and dining options.
Due to the Disney Villains and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad construction, the Walt Disney World Railroad is currently operating in shuttle mode between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A. Frontierland Station is closed.
Take an aerial look at the construction in this video from X (formerly known as Twitter) user @bioreconstruct:
Aerial video of construction in Magic Kingdom.
Former Tom Sawyer Island near Frontierland will be Piston Peak National Park.
Larger former island next to Big Thunder Mountain and beyond to be Villains land.
Also seen are construction staging areas near roads.
Aerial video of construction in Magic Kingdom.
Former Tom Sawyer Island near Frontierland will be Piston Peak National Park.
Larger former island next to Big Thunder Mountain and beyond to be Villains land.
Also seen are construction staging areas near roads. pic.twitter.com/Fjz8JD69kr— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 1, 2025
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t shared an exact grand reopening date for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, beyond “spring 2026.” There is also no public construction timeline for Piston Peak National Park and the Disney Villains land at the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for updates on these and other projects at Disney parks around the world!
Which part of the Frontierland overhaul are you most excited about? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!