Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopening Date Announced + New Height Requirement
Disney recently announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom would open sometime in early May. We now have an official date. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen on May 3, 2026. You may remember that the attraction has been closed for a lengthy refurbishment since January of 2025.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Re-Opening Updates
While the attraction was closed, numerous changes were made, including an all-new ride track that replaced the existing one. The attraction will also feature a new backstory previously shared by Disney:
The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.
However, those shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down.
No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.
But Wait There’s More!
According to the announcement, the ride will see a lowered height requirement! Here are new details from the Disney Parks Blog:
A key part of the refurbishment was installing a new track and refreshed passenger trains. These updates were carefully planned to preserve the attraction’s classic storytelling and trademark hootin’ an’ hollerin’ energy, while adding new life, movement, and detail to the experience guests know so well.
With all the improvements made to the attraction, along with a comprehensive review from our safety teams, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38”. Climb aboard, lil prospectors!
In addition to the new track and backstory, guests can anticipate other surprises throughout the ride. One of those moments is toward the start of the ride, when guests travel through the Rainbow Caverns. They are said to be beautiful…at first. But you’ll soon find out that they aren’t as friendly as they first appear. Per Disney, this is where you’ll first encounter a menacing rumble from within the mountain that may be a sign that guests aren’t welcome!
Reference: Disney Parks Blog
I don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to take a turn on the updated wildest ride in the wilderness when it reopens on May 3rd! For more on what’s going on in May at Disney World, see our monthly guide.
Disney World In May 2026 (The Complete Guide)
In the Comments
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