Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
After 46 years of thrilling drops, scenic views, and unforgettable memories, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has officially closed its doors at Disneyland Park–for now. As of September 2, 2025, the iconic ride, which first opened on the same day in 1979, is no longer available for Disney Park guests to experience.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad first opened at Disneyland Park exactly 46 years ago, and was the first of its kind at any Disney park. The ride pays homage to its predecessor, Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, with the fictional town of Rainbow Ridge. Walt Disney Imagineers later created versions of “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” for Magic Kingdom Park, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.
In August 2025, Disneyland Resort announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would close for an extensive refurbishment on September 2, but it didn’t provide a specific reopening date. Disney’s operational calendar currently goes through October 14, 2025, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still marked as “no times available” on that date. The official website asks guests to “please check back here for updates.”
Though Disneyland Park has had multiple refurbishments of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over the years, the ride’s most recent major update occurred from January 2013 to March 2014. That renovation saw the installation of new tracks, along with refreshed special effects and the addition of new scenes to the ride.
Though this refurbishment is expected to be less extensive than the previous overhaul, there’s still speculation about the future of the Disneyland Resort coaster, especially with other refurbishments happening at Disney parks around the world. For example, Walt Disney World Resort’s version of “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” is currently undergoing a year-long overhaul, with new tracks and “new magic” promised when it reopens in 2026.
It’s unclear whether Disneyland Resort will make similar changes or enhancements to the Disneyland Park version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Follow Disney Tips for updates on this and other projects at Disney parks worldwide!
Has a refurbishment closure impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Share your story with Disney Tips in the comments!
