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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens May 3 at Magic Kingdom After Major Overhaul

Disney returned the coaster to Magic Kingdom’s top Lightning Lane tier to manage expected demand.

Overview

  • Disney restored Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Tier 1 in the Lightning Lane lineup on Sunday, with return access through Multi Pass and Premier Pass starting May 3.
  • The coaster will reopen May 3 after a closure that began in January 2025.
  • The project replaced the entire steel track and introduced brand-new trains to improve smoothness and reliability.
  • Disney refreshed Audio-Animatronics, brought back long-dormant effects, and reimagined the Rainbow Caverns opening with new lighting and visuals.
  • The height requirement drops from 40 inches to 38 inches after safety reviews, which lets more young children ride and could extend wait times in early May.