Disney World is about to get a little chaotic in 2025 — there’s going to be a LOT going on. Expect to see construction all over the parks, including in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where Dinoland, U.S.A. is getting converted into a Tropical Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Muppets Courtyard is becoming a Monsters, Inc. land, while the Muppets are making their way over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. In EPCOT, Test Track will reopen with a brand new ride experience. Magic Kingdom might be the MOST affected park: a huge Cars expansion is coming to Frontierland AND a Villains land is coming to the park. However, ANOTHER big change is happening in Magic Kingdom SOON.

In case you missed it, a classic Frontierland attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, will be closing for refurbishment for an entire year. Disney has not yet shared what this refurbishment will include, but it sounds like it’s a pretty major one, given the time frame.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain will close on January 6th and not reopen again until 2026, so if you’re visiting Disney World in 2025, you’ll probably be missing out on that ride.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close

With that being said, though, we could see some other closures in Magic Kingdom as construction begins on Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Obviously, that means the Liberty Belle Riverboat will close, as well as Tom Sawyer Island itself. Disney has not yet revealed when that construction will take place, but we have seen the first of permits being requested for work in that area.

Rivers of America

We’ll be keeping an eye on the construction happening in Disney World and keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

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What do you think? Will your next trip be affected by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closure? Let us know in the comments!