Disney World's beloved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride is set to close temporarily in January, with plans to reopen in 2026. The extended closure for the Magic Kingdom attraction is attributed to 'refurbishment,' according to a statement on Disney's website. Specifically, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World will cease operations on January 6, 2025, making January 5 the last day for guests to experience the ride before it shuts down for a full year. Disney promises the ride will return in 2026 with 'a little bit of new magic.' While Disney has not provided further details, speculation abounds regarding the reason for the year-long closure. Many believe it may be linked to Magic Kingdom's largest-ever expansion, which includes a new land dedicated to Disney Villains located behind the existing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride. As part of this expansion, Disney is developing a new Cars ride on the site currently occupied by Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Disney plans to 'transform' these areas into 'vast and rugged terrains' for the new Cars ride. WDWNT speculates that, given Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's proximity to Rivers of America in Frontierland, construction safety concerns may necessitate the ride's closure. Additionally, Disney likely aims to keep details of the new updates under wraps, and closing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad could be part of this strategy. Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland remains unaffected by these changes.