BIG things are happening in Magic Kingdom, and not just because it’s Easter weekend.

Magic Kingdom

Nope, Magic Kingdom is getting ready for a brand-new Villains-themed land and a Cars expansion in Frontierland. Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting QUITE the overhaul (more on that in a bit), and a new nighttime parade will be coming to the park this summer. We just visited Magic Kingdom, and in one day, we spotted three NEW things we need to tell you about.

Astro Orbiter

Over in Tomorrowland, Astro Orbiter has been closed since January, and it seems to be getting a major refurbishment. The ride has actually been dismantled, with pieces of it being taken to an undisclosed location for an update. When we visited most recently, the ride seemed to be getting a fresh paint job to refresh its look.

New paint

As far as we can tell, the new paint looks like it’s going to take the ride back to its 2014 glory. We previously saw a permit to “provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction” on April 10th, so the ride is getting closer to being put back together and reopening.

Some Magic Kingdom Rides Will Look a Bit More SPARKLY This Year 🤩

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s new track

As we mentioned, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is also currently closed for a massive refurbishment. Disney is replacing the track, and we got to see more new continuous sections of the new track, which are now visible. Let’s hope this means the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness will be a lot smoother when it reopens.

More new track!

So, when WILL Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopen? Well, Disney hasn’t said, but a new permit suggests the timeline is spring 2026.

Character Surprise

We stumbled on the MOST delightful character surprise EVER around the hub. We spotted the White Rabbit, along with some flowers and butterflies from Alice in Wonderland. They were all around the hub, and it was MAGIC.

White Rabbit

We spoke with a Cast Member and were told that Disney World is considering doing more of these surprise appearances.

SO fun

We loved the spontaneity of it, so we’re hoping we run into more character surprises in all the parks.

The 7 Unspoken Rules Disney Adults NEED to Start Following When Meeting Characters

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

What’s Changing at Big Thunder Mountain While It’s Closed for a Year in Disney World?

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