Disney Files New Permit for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment

Disney has filed a new permit for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment project at Magic Kingdom, setting the stage for what could be the iconic ride’s most significant overhaul since its debut in 1980. Known for its rugged mine-train theme and thrilling twists through the wild west, Big Thunder has remained a fan favorite, and this refurbishment promises to add “a little bit of new magic” for guests when it reopens.

According to the permit, DPR Construction—a company recognized for handling complex, technical projects—has been assigned to lead the effort, with the permit valid through March 13, 2026. This follows an earlier permit with Coastal Steel, which is set to expire in August 2025, suggesting a potentially extensive refurbishment project that will require the expertise of multiple vendors.

Related: Lightning Lane Multi Pass Prices Surge at Disney World This Weekend

Disney had previously confirmed that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for refurbishment on January 6, 2025, with a reopening anticipated sometime 2026. With the DPR Construction permit now extending into March 2026, there’s a chance the reopening might not happen until spring of that year. While permit timelines don’t always guarantee exact reopening dates, they often provide hints, especially for large-scale projects like this one. Fans hoping for a quick return will likely have to wait, but this extended timeline signals the scale of improvements in store.

Related: Official Menu Revealed for The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers

Details on the specific updates haven’t been released, but previous permits have hinted at a comprehensive refresh of the core ride system and other essential components. When Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad underwent a similar overhaul in 2012, the ride received notable enhancements to its track and visual effects, which elevated the experience without compromising its classic appeal. Magic Kingdom’s version might follow suit, combining the nostalgia of Big Thunder with a fresh dose of Disney magic, ensuring it remains a must-do attraction for years to come.

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.

Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel

Who is your Travel Agent?(Required)

Let us pick for youEric HilesStacy ReedAbbey JohnsonAlisa SullivanAlli WillisAmanda FolsomAmanda VannAmber BrillhartAmber FisherAmy SieburnAndrea SmithAngela AndersonAngie BaycuraAnna PetrilliAnnabelle DuboseApril StefanskiAshley RamseyBeth ParsonsBetsy SantoroBrandie McQueenBrian BuckleyBridget HatchBryan SchwartzCandice SneedCarrie ButlerCarson DockumCasey BoltCharleen HortonChelsea RoyChelsea WuebkerChris BoyerChristie GrubeChristina FratturaChristina SmithCourtney WhiteCraig YoderDan MercedDanielle NorcrossDarby MouritsenDavid ForrestDeborah AlvaradoEmilee BiegelEmily MorrisFaith HakesGail HatchGreg MatzkerHelen HummerHolly CurryJackie CavistonJaclyn PepitoneJamie SwansonJeanine JordanJeff CallahanJenni MaierJennifer BrownJennifer StephensonJennifer StoessnerJessica HatfieldJessica HuffJessica WunderJoe GuertinJon CarpentierJoseph SliwaJulie McCombJustin BrownKat AttridgeKathryn EberhartKathy AndersonKatie HarrellKatie PrevotKayla CookKelsey SullensKim HelmsKimberly HutchinsonKristi GallagherKyle RamsdenLauren DewlenLeanne MonterLinda DurhamLindsay AckermannLindsey VromanLissette BritoLori HardyMallory MorrisonMandi QuinnMaranda PerkinsMarisa AlvaradoMegan TeismannMeghan BlairMelissa ReedMichele KlineMike BeyerMissy McCormickMisty DickersonNancy CasteelNicole ThorntonPatrick O'ConnorPaul SulPeyton Ward-KubikRaylene CooganRegan OstranderRobbie BulusRobert ThomasSara SolbergSarah McCandlishShanna BrowningShelley BennettShelly MetzStacy CristStacy KrzyminskiStacy SmithStephanie DraganoStephanie FerencStephanie WalshSusannah McCordTara SlusserTerri MillerTiffany DobraskiTiffany DrenkhahnTina FarmerTonya LesiukTracy DaneTroy DuncanVeronica RenteriaVicki FesslerWendy CarllWendy HauserWendy KellehanWendy Shelley

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Destination(Required)

Walt Disney WorldDisneyland ResortDisney Cruise LineAulani, A Disney Resort and SpaAulani, A Disney Resort and SpaUniversal FloridaUniversal HollywoodRoyal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian or other Cruise LineI don't know yet

# of Adults(Required)

# of Children(Required)

Check-in-Date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Check-out-Date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Comments, Questions or Special Requests

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!