We Rode the Newly Reopened Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom, and We Have Thoughts

Everyone, the wait is officially over, and after a year, it’s time to enter the mines again!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Today, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has officially reopened after more than a year, and we are so ready to hop back into The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness.

During its long closure, the track was replaced, giving it a smoother feel, new effects have been put in for a cooler experience, and finally, we have a completely brand-new scene: the Rainbow Caverns. If you want to watch a ride-through, check out our video!

Come ride the UPDATED Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with us! 🤠🚂⛰️ pic.twitter.com/PzkibhEqpi

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) May 3, 2026

Now, let’s dive into our team’s thoughts on this brand-new Big Thunder! For starters, the new ride vehicle is wider, and we loved the breathing room. The track is significantly smoother than it used to be. While the track path is the same, it felt much more kid-friendly for our little riders. No more passing kidney stones here!

The new track is so much smoother!

Imagineers said the ride’s lighting would be improved, and we agree. We loved seeing the caverns better! There were lots of new sound effects, but we felt like they were too loud. While Big Thunder had loud sound effects before, these new ones felt a little over the top. If you’re riding with a kid who’s sensitive to loud noise, they might not enjoy the ride as much.

The rainbow caverns!

There’s also a new finale scene where you’ll find the gold you’ve been mining for at the climax. Our team’s reactions were mixed on this one – some of us thought it was a fun and fresh take on the Disneyland version’s climax, while some felt that it was anticlimactic and cheesy. You definitely find it easier to understand the storyline, though!

We loved this ride!

We absolutely love this new version of Big Thunder, and we are so excited we got the chance to ride it today! Make sure to follow AllEars so you never miss a Disney update!

Check out the reopening of another fan favorite ride here!

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