On the same day Disney announced the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening timeframe, they tested the roller-coaster trains and expanded construction walls near the ride entrance.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Testing
We saw a train slowly cresting this hill. As you can see in our video below, the train was not moving at full speed.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been testing for a few weeks. The entire coaster track was replaced and the trains were refurbished so extensive testing without riders is required to ensure the ride is safe. We have yet to see dummies
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Construction Walls
At the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad entrance, crews have moved the construction walls forward. They now take up a significant section of the sidewalk in front of the entrance.
The walls previously ended at the exit queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and ran closer to the former Rivers of America. They now completely block the ride’s main entrance and jut out towards the Frontierland train station.
The walls curve back towards the river as they get closer to the bridge. There are then construction walls completely around the Rivers of America, which closed permanently and was drained this summer to make way for a new Cars area.
There are some picnic tables and umbrellas next to the Big Thudnder construction walls, providing guests a space to relax.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2026. It will have an updated opening scene. Watch our full ride POV from before Big Thunder closed:
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