🎢 Big Thunder Mountain Is Back, Baby! Here’s What’s New on the Wildest Ride in the West
Hold on to your Minnie ears, partners—Big Thunder Mountain is officially reopening at Disneyland Paris on 21 June 2025! And after months of being as closed as a ghost town saloon at siesta time, our favourite runaway mine train is lookin’ finer than a fresh stack of Mickey waffles.
This isn’t just a quick tune-up. Oh no. The folks at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, along with the behind-the-scenes legends in Maintenance and the Central Workshops, have been busy giving this Frontierland icon the glow-up it deserves. And they didn’t hold back. We’re talking drones. Steam engines. Repainted opossums. Yes, really.
🛠 What’s Been Going On Behind the Buttes?
So, what’s new? Well, basically everything… but also nothing. It’s still that beloved wild ride you know and scream through, but now it’s even better.
✨ Tunnels and rails have had a full overhaul – some bits were even completely replaced. She’s smoother than ever, but still wild at heart.
✨ The mountain got a drone-powered spring clean, which is honestly the most high-tech thing to happen in Frontierland since they installed the automatic-flush loos.
✨ Water effects? Restored. Sound and visuals? Revamped. Your next ride is going to look—and sound—like Frontierland’s answer to a West End production.
✨ Wooden showpieces like Mill Camp Tower were lovingly dismantled and rebuilt, while hundreds of little props and pieces got cleaned, fake aged, and gussied up.
✨ And the animal stars of the ride? They’ve been given the full spa treatment. The mules, opossums, bats… even the goat got a fresh coat?! (see below if that intrigues you more than it should…😂 )
🐐 All Eyes on the Goat (Now 27% Fluffier)
You know the one. The legendary goat perched with his stick of dynamite like he owns the mountain. He’s back and bolder than ever. Frankly, if I had a euro for every time I spotted someone filming The Goat™ on the ride, I’d be able to fund my next trip to Tokyo Disney.
Well, he just strutted back onto the mountain with what appears to be a freshly brushed, possibly upgraded, gloriously fake-but-fabulous new coat of fur.
Yup, our dynamite-loving icon got the full salon treatment in the Central Workshops. His horns gleam. His beard is majestic. And the way he’s tugging cheekily on that laundry? Pure drama. Especially when the weather started out sunny and turned to rain the moment the washing was out. Typical.
🧡 Why It Matters
Look, Big Thunder Mountain isn’t just another ride. And it’s not just my favourite ride (although that should be good enough for you, no?). BTM is a rite of passage. A squealy, giggly, hair-whipping blur of joy. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, it’s one of those attractions that never gets old. And now it’s been treated to some serious TLC, it’s ready to wow a whole new generation of adventurers.
Plus, with summer crowds building and school holidays peeking over the horizon, this reopening couldn’t come at a better time. If you’ve got a trip planned from late June, add this back onto your must-do list. (And if you’re one of the clever clogs who’s already read my June and July tips posts—gold star for you. If not… ahem, check the Read Next section below.)
💡 6 Thunder Mountain Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew
You know I can’t resist throwing in a few insider tips—especially for a ride as iconic (and let’s face it, wild) as Big Thunder Mountain. So here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind before you board your runaway train:
1. Extra Magic Time = extra smart move. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, head here first during EMT. It’s a fab way to skip the crowds and get a ride in before the masses descend.
2. Premier Access is available—and worth it! I used it myself and we only waited 15 minutes. That said, don’t leave it too late in the day or you might end up running through the park like you’re chasing a stagecoach. (We very nearly missed our Eurostar… no regrets.)
3. Height requirement is 1.02m—so not toddler-friendly, but a brilliant first coaster for brave kids and big kids alike.
4. Day vs. night = totally different vibes. During the day, it’s gorgeous and thrilling. At night? It turns into a howling, high-speed, whooshing whirlwind of joy. Try both if you can!
5. Remove those hats, ears, and sunnies! You’ll get a warning, but please actually do it—because if your Minnie ears go flying and land on the track, it can delay the ride for everyone. And after waiting since 6 January 2025, nobody wants to be the one responsible for another closure…
🚂 BONUS TIP: Want more speed? Ask for the back row. It’s faster, swooshier, and full-on fun. Prefer a gentler ride? Try sitting nearer the front, right behind the engine. But truthfully? There’s not a bad seat in the house.
🤠 Final Thoughts from Frontierland
I missed this ride so much I started narrating my morning dog walks like a Thunder Mountain announcer. ‘Hang on to them hats and glasses, folks—it’s about to get mildly brisk!‘
But now, Big Thunder is back—shinier, smoother, and goatier (is that a word? Let’s go with it) than ever. Whether it’s your first time riding or your fiftieth, get ready to scream like you mean it.
🎟 Planning a visit? Don’t forget to check your Premier Access strategy, bring your best queue snacks, and for the love of all things Mickey, hold onto your hat—’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!
📚 Read Next
- 🧡 The Disneyland Paris First-Timer’s Guide You Need
Planning your first visit? This post has everything you wish you’d known before arriving. - 🎒 What to Pack for Disneyland Paris with Kids
Includes printable lists, clever extras, and meltdown-prevention secrets. - 💶 50+ Disneyland Paris Budget Hacks to Steal
Because Big Thunder might be wild, but your spending doesn’t have to be. - 🏰 How We Did the BEST 2 Days at Disneyland Paris
Includes our ride strategy, character meets, and food faves—Big Thunder included! - 🥵 July at Disneyland Paris: Top Tips for Summer Trips
What to wear, what to pack, and how to beat the heat (while still nabbing the best seats on Thunder Mountain). Going another time? Check out all my monthly guides.
