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Disney Updates Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Details, Dynamite Scene Removed
Looks like the “wildest ride in the wilderness” won’t be quite as explosive as fans first expected. Disney has quietly updated the refurbishment details for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, removing references to “exploding dynamite” and “falling boulders” from its official ride description.
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The beloved Frontierland coaster has been closed since January 2025 and is set to reopen in 2026 with refreshed effects, new storytelling touches, and a long-anticipated Rainbow Caverns opening scene. When Disney first previewed the enhancements earlier this summer, the ride’s updated description mentioned that guests would “dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders” while racing through the Big Thunder Mining Company.
That wording sparked excitement, since Disneyland’s version of Big Thunder was updated in 2012 with a climactic dynamite-and-earthquake finale on the last lift hill. Fans speculated that the Magic Kingdom version might finally get the same dramatic effect.
But as of this week, the Magic Kingdom ride’s official description has been pared back. Here’s the new version:
The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad begins when Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back.
After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an active mine shaft and board your runaway train. As you enter the cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track, then swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.
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The mention of dynamite and boulders is gone, leaving many to wonder whether the explosive finale was cut from the plans or if Disney is simply holding back surprises.
Either way, guests can still look forward to the new Rainbow Caverns scene — a glowing nod to the original Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland at Disneyland — plus refreshed effects and updated storytelling when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roars back to life in 2026.
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