- Mar 13, 2024
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Magic Kingdom will look totally different in one week, because Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is finally reopening!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain reopens on May 3rd with some exciting new changes! Disney Imagineers have been hard at work for the last five years to reimagine the roller coaster. The attraction closed in January of 2025, so fans are anxiously waiting to hop back on the wildest ride in the wilderness!
The first major change is that the roller coaster will have new ride vehicles! These are a lighter tan color compared to the more orange leather of the original carts. There are also rustic wooden details instead of the metal from before!
The new ride vehicles!
There’s also an all-new track that’s smoother and more comfortable. According to the Imagineers, it’s the same Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, just more enjoyable! Hopefully, the improved track won’t hurt as much…
The new and improved track
Plus, the height requirement has changed! Instead of riders needing to be at least 40 inches tall to ride, the minimum height has been lowered to 38 inches! Now, even more small riders can join in on the fun.
Previous Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Queue Entrance
This ride will also feature new lighting and effects, including the addition of the Rainbow Caverns! These will be “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).”
©Disney
Plus, when we went to check out the testing on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a sneak peek of a brand-new land caught our eye! The all-new Cars-themed land, Piston Peak, is under construction right in front of Big Thunder Mountain. We could see some of the progress with our own eyes!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-29-02-PM-4032-x-3024-2-700x525.jpg
‘Cars’ land!
When we zoom in on the Piston Peak construction, it looks like the land will be right up against the ride track of Big Thunder Mountain! There are construction walls right next to the Big Thunder Mountain queue, with the area full of construction materials and vehicles.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-29-02-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Work is being done in Piston Peak
When we looked at the Big Thunder Mountain queue, there were massive construction walls that went right up against the queue line! It looks like Piston Peak will be a seamless transition between the roller coaster and Cars Land. We can’t wait to get another view of Piston Peak next week!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-30-28-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Piston Peak construction
We’re so excited to ride Big Thunder Mountain once it reopens on May 3rd. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news!
What do you think of the changes to Big Thunder Mountain? Comment below!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain reopens on May 3rd with some exciting new changes! Disney Imagineers have been hard at work for the last five years to reimagine the roller coaster. The attraction closed in January of 2025, so fans are anxiously waiting to hop back on the wildest ride in the wilderness!
The first major change is that the roller coaster will have new ride vehicles! These are a lighter tan color compared to the more orange leather of the original carts. There are also rustic wooden details instead of the metal from before!
The new ride vehicles!
There’s also an all-new track that’s smoother and more comfortable. According to the Imagineers, it’s the same Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, just more enjoyable! Hopefully, the improved track won’t hurt as much…
The new and improved track
Plus, the height requirement has changed! Instead of riders needing to be at least 40 inches tall to ride, the minimum height has been lowered to 38 inches! Now, even more small riders can join in on the fun.
Previous Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Queue Entrance
This ride will also feature new lighting and effects, including the addition of the Rainbow Caverns! These will be “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).”
©Disney
Plus, when we went to check out the testing on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a sneak peek of a brand-new land caught our eye! The all-new Cars-themed land, Piston Peak, is under construction right in front of Big Thunder Mountain. We could see some of the progress with our own eyes!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-29-02-PM-4032-x-3024-2-700x525.jpg
‘Cars’ land!
When we zoom in on the Piston Peak construction, it looks like the land will be right up against the ride track of Big Thunder Mountain! There are construction walls right next to the Big Thunder Mountain queue, with the area full of construction materials and vehicles.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-29-02-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Work is being done in Piston Peak
When we looked at the Big Thunder Mountain queue, there were massive construction walls that went right up against the queue line! It looks like Piston Peak will be a seamless transition between the roller coaster and Cars Land. We can’t wait to get another view of Piston Peak next week!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical Guides-–-Piston-Peak-–-Construction-–-Magic-Kingdom-–-Disney-World-Photo-Apr-01-2026-3-30-28-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Piston Peak construction
We’re so excited to ride Big Thunder Mountain once it reopens on May 3rd. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news!
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What do you think of the changes to Big Thunder Mountain? Comment below!
