Hey Howdy Hey, Patricia!
A summer visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth sounds like a rootin' tootin' good time! I'm delighted that you chose to pull into our station here at planDisney as you finalize all of those magical details for a
practically perfect vacation. While things rarely go according to plan 100% of the time, we're always happy to help fellow Guests ensure their vacations don't go completely
off the rails.
When Disneyland Park opened, Walt Disney famously stated that "Disneyland will never be completed...as long as there is imagination left in the world." This sentiment remains true at Disney Destinations around the world, including Walt Disney World Resort. This means that beloved attractions periodically close for refurbishment, and unfortunately, this is currently true of
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which closed in January of 2025 and is not expected to reopen until 2026. If a refurbishment closure of this length seems longer than usual, that's because it is! Walt Disney World has shared that this isn't simply an annual refurbishment for maintenance but rather one that will add a bit of pixie dust to The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness. I can't wait to see what new magic the mines will hold!
While I'm sure this isn't what you were hoping to hear, I always appreciate that Walt Disney World
announces refurbishment closures in advance. Knowing I won't be able to enjoy an attraction ahead of time (especially when it's one of my favorites) makes it so much easier to manage expectations for my vacation. Even though Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed during your visit, you can still conquer Magic Kingdom's other famous mountain,
Space Mountain, and even head to the
Himalayas in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
I hope this information helps you as you plan, Patricia, and that you'll
stop back by planDisney with any other questions that arise as your vacation approaches. You've got a friend in me!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie