Are you already planning out your 2025 trip to Disney World?

Magic Kingdom

As we all know, Magic Kingdom is usually the crown jewel of a Disney vacation, but I’m here to drop some truth that might make you rethink your park priorities next year. There’s one major, frustrating reason you might want to skip Magic Kingdom altogether in 2025. Let’s talk about it!

As we were saying, there’s this one frustrating reason you might want to skip out on heading to Magic Kingdom altogether in 2025: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be CLOSED for over a year.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

You heard it right. One of the most iconic attractions in all of Disney World (the wildest ride in the wilderness) is shutting down for a massive refurbishment starting January 6th, 2025, and it won’t reopen until sometime in 2026.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

For many of us Disney fans, Big Thunder is a quintessential part of the Magic Kingdom experience, and without it, Frontierland feels like…well, not much of a land at all. And it’s not just Big Thunder. The whole area will be buzzing with construction, closures, and changes that might make your 2025 visit feel more like you’re navigating a construction zone than a magical day at the park.

What’s Going on in Frontierland?

Like we said, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad isn’t the only part of Frontierland that’s seeing major changes in 2025. Disney is in the middle of a big transformation project, and it’s going to have a huge impact on the park experience:

• Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America Are Closing Permanently: These classic attractions will make way for a brand-new Cars-themed area, which will definitely expand Frontierland in a whole new direction.
• Villains Land Construction Is Underway: Beyond Big Thunder Mountain, Disney is working on the all-new Villains land. If you’re coming in 2025, and the noise, walls, and disruption are most likely going to be impossible to ignore.
• DVC Lounge Replacing the old Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade: Over in the heart of Frontierland, the former Shootin’ Arcade is being replaced with a Disney Vacation Club lounge.

Why This Matters for Your Trip

If Big Thunder was just one piece of the puzzle, maybe the magic of Magic Kingdom would still outweigh the inconvenience, but with so many closures and construction projects happening all at once, the park really might feel like it’s missing the sparkle we all know and love.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

To be honest, Frontierland will essentially be half a land in 2025. Big Thunder Mountain is out of commission, Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are disappearing. Add in the construction walls for Villains Land, and this once-bustling part of Magic Kingdom is going to feel pretty lifeless.

The endangered Tom Sawyer Island

What’s left to do? Sure, you’ve got Country Bear Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but without Big Thunder anchoring the land, it’s just not the same.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Meanwhile, the added strain on other parts of the park can’t be ignored. Fewer attractions mean longer lines at everything else, from Peter Pan’s Flight to Jungle Cruise. On that note, it’s also worth noting that Astro Orbiter will also be closed for part of 2025. It’s scheduled for refurbishment from January 13th until summer.

Astro Orbiter

Is Magic Kingdom Skippable in 2025?

Well, with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed and so much construction going on, your day at Magic Kingdom could end up feeling more frustrating than magical.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

That being said, if you’ve never been to Disney World before or are traveling with young kids, Magic Kingdom might still be worth the visit. It is home to classics like Cinderella Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion. But for repeat visitors or anyone who wants to maximize their time, this might be the year to prioritize other parks instead.

Until then, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news!

Magic Kingdom Is Already SOLD OUT for 3 Dates in 2025!

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