Why You Should AVOID Magic Kingdom on May 3rd

A day we’ve been awaiting for over a year is almost here!

That’s right folks, hold on to your hats and glasses, because it’s time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to reopen. The ride officially opens back up in Magic Kingdom on May 3rd, and if you’re planning to be in the park that day, you may encounter some problems.

What’s Happening on May 3rd?

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a popular roller coaster in Frontierland, has been closed since January 2025 to get a major refurbishment. Disney announced that the ride would be reopening May 3rd, and fans are chomping at the bit to hop on the “wildest ride in the wilderness” again.

It’s not super common for a ride to be closed this long for refurbishment unless it’s getting a complete overhaul. And while Big Thunder Mountain is getting a few key changes, it’s still going to be the ride you know and love.

Click Here to See a List of Ride Closures in Disney World

What’s Changing With the Ride?

So what’s changing? Well, first, the entire ride track was replaced to improve the riding experience (this coaster’s been around since the 80s, y’all). Also, there will be new lighting and effects.

But probably the most important change is that they’re introducing the Rainbow Caverns scene! We can’t wait to see it in person. In addition, they’re altering the backstory of the ride. Disney says, “The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.”

See More Details on the Changes Coming to the Ride Here!

Why Will It Be Crowded?

Whenever a ride reopens with significant changes, it’s usually pretty popular for a bit. Add in the fact that this ride is a fan-favorite for many (personally, it’s my favorite ride in Disney World!), and we can bet it’s going to be busy on reopening day.

When the ride closed in early 2025 with a planned long refurbishment, the wait times were up in the week preceding the closure. Of course, the wait time could all depend on how well the public receives the updated version. Either way, be prepared to possibly wait an hour or more to board the ride.

New Rides and Attractions for Disney World in 2025, 2026, and 2027

Some Problems You Could Face

Okay, so we’ve got the possibility of crowds. What other problems could you encounter on May 3rd? Crowds, of course, mean longer wait times. And with longer wait times, you might want to try and snag a Lightning Lane to board the ride. Lightning Lane reservations will likely fill up FAST for this attraction, so you need to be prepared to reserve it as soon as your booking window opens.

Also, since the ride is newly reopened, it may experience technical difficulties in its first few days of operation. This could mean downtime that affects your plans. In a similar vein, we’ve made it into the season of the year where rain is more likely, and since this attraction is partially outdoors, it closes when there’s lightning in the area.

Learn More About Lightning Lanes Here!

What if I’m Going on May 3rd?

So if you’re heading to the park to hop on Big Thunder on May 3rd, what should you do? First, I recommend purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and reserving a return time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad if possible…just in case the wait time is absurd. If you don’t want to spend the money, your best bets are to head directly to the ride at rope drop or to try and do it at the end of the night, during or after fireworks.

No matter what, make sure to be patient with Cast Members on reopening day! They’ll be dealing with all kinds of chaos, and if something goes wrong, it’s not their fault.

We can’t wait to check out the newly-updated version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! We’ve certainly missed the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness while it was under construction and we have a feeling it’s going to come back better than ever.