RUMOR: Disney Will Replace Ride Track (Again) Amid Guest Complaints

The rumble of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been part of Disney parks for more than four decades, but some guests at Disneyland Paris say the coaster isn’t running quite as smoothly as it should. A fresh wave of complaints has emerged just weeks after the ride reopened from a major refurbishment — sparking speculation that yet another closure may be on the horizon.

When the attraction first debuted at Disneyland in 1979, it marked a turning point in Disney’s approach to thrill rides. Legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter crafted a runaway mine train adventure through jagged red rock formations and eerie ghost towns, blending storytelling with roller coaster technology in a way the company hadn’t before.

Its success meant Disney quickly rolled the concept out worldwide. Magic Kingdom’s version opened in 1980, its sprawling track encircling Tom Sawyer Island. Tokyo Disneyland followed in 1987 with its own layout, fine-tuned to local audiences. Disneyland Paris brought perhaps the boldest iteration in 1992, situating the coaster on an island in the Rivers of the Far West, requiring guests to dive beneath the water before emerging onto its towering buttes.

Is Disney Conducting Yet Another Renovation?

Earlier this year, Disneyland Paris shut down its prized version for refurbishment, a closure that lasted from January until June. The ride has a history of technical hiccups, with frequent evacuations frustrating guests. The hope was that this renovation would finally smooth out the kinks.

Yet, according to some parkgoers, the problems persist. “It surprised me last week that BTM still broke down a couple of times a day,” said one recent guest on Reddit. “I saw people getting evacuated multiple times.”

Another guest echoed the sentiment, noting that even waiting in line was plagued with delays. “We’ve just had an announcement that we are having to wait an extra 30 mins in the line,” they wrote. “They keep sending empty carts round…..”

Some fans believe the explanation lies beneath the track itself. “They closed it down to replace half of the track,” one user claimed. “Rumor has it that they’re doing it again for the other half in the near future, which would mean the refurbishment isn’t actually finished yet.”

A Tale of Two Thunders

If true, the piecemeal approach raises the question of why Disneyland Paris opted for two closures instead of one comprehensive overhaul. At Magic Kingdom, the ride is currently closed as Disney replaces the track entirely and incorporates new details.

Walt Disney Imagineering has teased “new magic” for Florida’s version, including a cavern scene inspired by Disneyland’s original Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. The section will feature glowing pools and luminous rock formations designed to add depth to the classic runaway train story.

For Disneyland Paris, the decision may have been one of necessity. With only two parks on property — one of which is undergoing large-scale construction and the other sorely lacking in new attractions — closing its signature coaster for an extended period would leave guests with even fewer options during the busy summer months.

Still, the current situation leaves the resort in a bind. Frequent breakdowns erode guest satisfaction, particularly when the attraction is widely considered one of the park’s crown jewels. Unlike Magic Kingdom or Disneyland in California, which can absorb the loss of one ride with broader offerings, Disneyland Paris has far less room for error.

For now, Disney has remained silent on whether Big Thunder Mountain will close again. Guests and fans, however, continue to speculate. And with the ride’s turbulent history in Paris, another round of updates would hardly be a shock.

What’s your favorite version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?