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Big Thunder Refurb May Be a Longer Ride Than We Thought – New Permit Filed
Hold onto your hats and glasses—because this refurb just got a little wilder!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom has been closed since January for what Disney promised would be a rootin’-tootin’ refresh, set to reopen sometime in 2026. But with a new permit filed for “General Construction,” it looks like the timeline might be stretching out a bit longer than expected.
Related: New Construction Walls Added to Queue of Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom
The permit, filed just this week, doesn’t give us too many details (this is Disney we’re talkin’ about), but it does contract DPR Construction, a company that’s been previously linked to Big Thunder-related permits. What’s especially interesting is the permit’s expiration date: April 15, 2026—later than the previous permits tied to the project. For context, earlier filings had expiration dates ranging from August 2025 to March 2026, and one for set work wraps in February 2026.
So, what does it all mean? While we still don’t have official word on the full scope of the refurb, the additional permit—and its longer expiration window—suggests the makeover could be more extensive than initially anticipated. With new track already confirmed and the attraction closed for over three months now, many fans are speculating this refurbishment could follow in the footsteps (or hoofprints?) of Disneyland’s Big Thunder revamp, which included track replacement, repainted scenery, and new ride vehicles.
Related: Walls Go Up as Grand Floridian Lobby Refurbishment Begins
For now, Disney continues to keep things mysterious, teasing only that the attraction will “reopen with a little bit of new magic” sometime in 2026.
Until then, Big Thunder Mountain remains quiet… but behind those canyon walls, the groundwork for an epic return is clearly underway. Stay tuned for more updates—this refurbishment might just turn out to be the most thrilling part of the ride! 🌩️⛰️
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