Big Thunder Mountain Construction Update: What’s Next?

We’re approaching one year since Big Thunder Mountain in the Magic Kingdom closed for refurbishment. Disney’s website says it will reopen “in 2026” and a train was running tests just yesterday. While this is surely good news, you likely have a few months before you’ll be back on the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness (nass?).

We checked in with our Big Cheese, Len Testa, to see what else needs to happen before Big Thunder reopens.

The track is assembled but that doesn’t mean it’s complete. Here are a few likely next steps:

• The length of the track needs to be inspected for issues between every single train test. Welding or other adjustments may need to be made.
• Stress testing continues:
  • Add weight to one train to simulate guests
  • Inspect, correct. Repeat after all testing.
  • Run weighted test train for several hours
  • Run multiple test trains
  • Add weight to all running trains to simulate guests
  • Run weighted test trains for several hours simulating operational park days.

While the first train has completed the refurbished Mountain track, it does not appear that Disney has installed the show scenes and features of the ride. All of the painting, props, and audio packages will need to be completed / installed and tested again and again.

According to Len, and based on observations of other ride construction, we will know Disney is close to announcing an opening date when humans are spotted on the test trains. These brave folks are usually the ride designers. Our pal, Jim Shull, who was on the design team for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, was one of the first humans to test out that ride. We expect Big Thunder will follow the same process.

Assuming all goes well, Len’s best guess is to look for Big Thunder to open in late spring or early summer of 2026.

As a reminder, TRON started testing trains in late April of 2022 but did not open until April of 2023. This isn’t exactly the same scenario since TRON was a brand new coaster and Big Thunder is undergoing a refurbishment of an existing track. Still, it’s interesting to analyze Disney’s ride testing process from the walkways of the Magic Kingdom.

Even if Big Thunder is ready to reopen, we think Disney may wait to stagger its comeback with a few other transitions. Here is our guess for reopening:

1. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – closed since August 4, 2025, we think this will be the first to reopen.
2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets – look for the current version of this ride to close in early 2026. If you listen to Len and Jim on The Disney Dish every Monday, you know they’ve discussed this revamp multiple times and don’t believe the new overlay will take very long. Disney has posted on their website that it will “open in Summer 2026.”
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – we’re predicting this is the final ride of the 3 to reopen locking in a very busy summer next year.

What’s your prediction? Which ride redo are you most excited to experience? Let us know if you’ve already made your plans to visit Walt Disney World next summer!