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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens at Magic Kingdom on May 3

A full rebuild adds show upgrades with a lower 38-inch height limit that opens the ride to younger guests.

Overview

  • Hours before the scheduled return, on-site reports showed crews in the queue and no trains cycling, which made a same-day soft opening unlikely though still possible if tests cleared later.
  • Disney set the official public reopening for May 3 at Magic Kingdom after a closure that began in January 2025.
  • The refurbishment replaced the entire track and introduced new trains to smooth the ride and boost reliability.
  • New show scenes include Rainbow Caverns with glowing pools and formations plus an expanded bat cave with more than 2,000 bats and lighting and wind effects.
  • Operational changes include a permanent 38-inch height requirement and placement in Magic Kingdom’s Tier 1 Multi Pass options, but the ride is not part of Early Entry for hotel guests.