Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Construction Update for May 2025

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Update: Track Work and Tumbleweed Touch-Ups Progressing in Magic Kingdom

Yeehaw, progress is rollin’ along on the wildest ride in the wilderness! Since closing for a major, multi-year refurbishment in January 2025, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is starting to show signs of transformation both inside and out. While most of the early work focused on backstage upgrades and interior refurbishment, recent developments give us a much clearer picture of what’s happening behind those Frontierland construction walls.

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🚧 Exterior Construction Expands to the Queue Area

One of the most visible changes is now taking place outside the show building. Rolling planters have been added to block the view of the main queue path, and portions of the sidewalk have been torn up, signaling a full queue overhaul. Crews are currently repainting exterior walls of the queue buildings, first applying a white primer and then adding fresh new color. The return of a newly refreshed queue experience seems all but certain.

🎨 Tumbleweed Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint

Over in the town of Tumbleweed, located within the attraction’s main show scenes, construction crews have made significant strides in recent weeks. We spotted workers repainting the Gold Dust Saloon, touching up white trim and detailing on the facade. Much of the town has been wrapped in scaffolding, suggesting a full facelift is underway for the weathered western outpost. Disney clearly wants this fan-favorite frontier town to look its best when it reopens.

🛠️ Track Work Continues Behind the Scenes

Meanwhile, inside the mountain itself, track replacement is progressing steadily. New sections of steel track are being installed, with crews actively working near the sharp turn by the water. Several black metal supports and gas-powered welding tools have been brought in to complete these new connections. Nearby, fresh pink spray-painted lines on the rocks may indicate upcoming scenery or rockwork additions.

Crucially, a new tripod-mounted weather station has been spotted behind the construction walls, suggesting that environmental conditions are being carefully monitored during this phase of the project.

🔧 Generator Power and Heavy Machinery in Use

Large portable generators and cranes continue to be used throughout the site, powering jackhammers and other equipment needed to break up and replace old support infrastructure. A new gas pump was recently spotted being lowered onto the track area, hinting at continued welding or high-power tool use for precise installations.

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🏗️ Mystery Building Rises Near Frontierland

Construction is also underway on a mysterious new building between Big Thunder Mountain and the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Crew members were seen installing metal roofing, and while Disney hasn’t shared official details yet, this structure may serve future operational, entertainment, or guest service purposes for the area.

🗓️ When Will Big Thunder Reopen?

While there’s no confirmed reopening date just yet, Disney has filed new construction permits that extend through April 2026, replacing earlier ones that expired in the spring. Disney has teased that the attraction will feature “a little bit of new magic” when it reopens, but we’re still waiting to hear exactly what that means. Enhanced effects? Storyline tweaks? A smoother ride? Time will tell!

For now, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains a construction hotbed—but these latest updates prove that Disney is giving this beloved attraction the kind of thorough glow-up it deserves.