Big Thunder Mountain Trains Are Back on the Tracks and Testing at Disney World. If you’ve walked through Frontierland lately, you probably heard that familiar clanking sound again. Big Thunder Mountain is officially testing its trains. After being closed since early 2025, people are finally seeing the mine cars moving through the mountain.
We saw them cycling the track ourselves, and it’s a big deal because this wasn’t just a quick paint job. Disney literally ripped out the old track and put in brand-new steel. We have video of the trains testing on the new track below.
The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” is getting closer to its grand return. Recent visitors to the Magic Kingdom have been treated to a rare sight in Frontierland: the iconic trains of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are officially back on the tracks and undergoing rigorous testing.
After closing on January 6, 2025, for the most extensive refurbishment in the attraction’s history, the mine trains were recently spotted cycling the mountain. On-the-ground footage reveals newly refurbished locomotives—sporting a slightly darker, more realistic color palette—traversing the brand-new steel tracks that were delivered and installed throughout 2025.
New Magic in the Mines
While the thrill remains the same, Disney has confirmed that “new magic” is being woven into the mountain’s cavernous depths. The most anticipated addition is a reimagined Rainbow Caverns sequence, inspired by the classic Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland at Disneyland. This segment will transport guests through a subterranean landscape filled with phosphorescent pools and glowing stalactites, though Disney Imagineers tease that the “mountain might push back,” suggesting the caverns won’t be as peaceful as they first appear.
In a recent update, Wyatt Winter, Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, noted that “stuff that hasn’t been going for years is returning,” hinting at the restoration of long-dormant special effects and the addition of new animatronic surprises.
Construction Milestone: The Golden Spike – The project recently reached a symbolic milestone with a “golden spike” ceremony. Cast Members and Imagineers installed golden bolts on the final piece of track, a tradition honoring the completion of major railroad construction. This follows months of work by Coastal Steel to replace every inch of the coaster’s track, ensuring a smoother ride for decades to come.
When Will it Reopen?
While Disney has officially narrowed the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Spring 2026. Travelers should note that Frontierland currently looks very different. Massive construction walls have expanded to accommodate both the Big Thunder refurbishment and the permanent closure of the Rivers of America, which is being transformed into a new Cars-themed area.
As testing continues, fans are keeping a close watch for the first signs of “soft openings” (technical rehearsals), which could occur in late March or April. For now, the sight of trains back on the mountain is the clearest signal yet that Big Thunder Mountain is nearly ready to welcome prospectors once again.
