Disney just released a sneak peek at an under-construction classic.
The Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — one of Disney’s most beloved attractions from the mind of one of its most legendary imagineers — has been closed for a massive refurbishment since January of 2025. According to Disney, the coaster will “reopen with a little bit of new magic in 2026.”
Recently, the official @WaltDisneyImagineering Instagram account posted a behind-the-scenes video following a day in the life of an Imagineer working on the Big Thunder project, similar to those shared about Test Track during its refurbishment project.
During the clip, Imagineer Nathaniel meets with several departments, including artists, engineers, design service producers, and graphic designers, to review elements of the project..
… and paying a visit to the Big Thunder site and examining the ride, including a look at the ride’s brand-new track.
(Also, can we just say how much we love this neon Sorcerer Mickey hat?)
The video wraps with the end of Nathaniel’s day, and the tease that there are some projects that “can’t” be shown on social media.
The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” has been closed for refurbishment since January and isn’t expected to reopen until 2026, but Disney just shared a sneak peek at its progress on social media. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney’s ongoing refurbishment calendar.
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What are you hoping to be added during Big Thunder Mountain’s refurbishment? Let us know in the comments below.
How bout Disney drops a video about the actual refurbishment of the frickin ride instead of the lunch schedule of a “happy imagineer”.
I hope they bring back the long-malfunctioning earthquake inside the mountain, complete with big rocks threatening to tumble upon you. That was a great effect, and it’s been years (decades?) since it worked.