Big Thunder Mountain evacuated Sunday after guests reported a fire

Guests say Cast Members cleared Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom around 2:30 p.m. Sunday after a reported fire. Disney hasn’t said what happened, and the coaster closed again Monday.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was cleared out suddenly Sunday afternoon at Magic Kingdom, and guests say a fire was the reason.

The coaster closed around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, and guests in the queue were evacuated, according to guest reports compiled by WDW News Today. One guest wrote on Reddit that Cast Members said there was a fire and “we were all evacuated.”

Disney hasn’t confirmed a fire or said what caused the closure. No injuries have been reported.

What happened at Big Thunder Mountain on Sunday?

Not much is confirmed yet.

Guests said Cast Members quickly shut down the ride and moved everyone out, telling them there was an emergency, per WDW News Today. Nearby Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed at about the same time.

Big Thunder reopened around 6:50 p.m. that evening, per the same report. Then it closed again before 1 p.m. Monday, and it was still down later in the day.

Guests didn’t report seeing fire trucks or paramedics, per WDW News Today.

Has Big Thunder Mountain had a fire before?

Yes, earlier this year, on the day it reopened.

Big Thunder Mountain came back May 3 after a 16-month refurbishment that added a new track and new effects. That same evening, around 6 p.m., a small fire broke out under the track in the loading area, per the Disney Food Blog and Inside the Magic. Videos showed smoke beneath the track, and a Cast Member used a fire extinguisher.

The ride closed for the rest of that day and was back up by the next morning. Disney didn’t publicly explain the cause then either, though reports pointed to the braking system.

What changed in Big Thunder Mountain’s refurbishment?

A lot. The 16-month project that ended in May gave the coaster a completely new track, per the Disney Food Blog. It also brought back rainbow-colored cavern scenes and added new details along the route.

Big Thunder first opened at Magic Kingdom in 1980, so the new track was a major overhaul for a ride that’s been running for more than four decades. New systems sometimes need adjusting after a big refurbishment, but Disney hasn’t said whether Sunday’s closure is related to any of that work.

Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed?

It was closed Sunday, and WDW News Today reports it’s facing extended downtime. Disney hasn’t posted a reason or a reopening date.

That’s a tough hit for Frontierland. With both big rides down at the same time, the area loses its two headline attractions.

Can you still ride Big Thunder Mountain this week?

Maybe. Check the My Disney Experience app before you head over, since Disney updates ride status there in real time.

If Big Thunder is down when you get there, it may come back later in the day. It did Sunday evening. If you have a Lightning Lane return time for a closed ride, Disney usually lets you use it at another attraction instead.

What else is closed at Magic Kingdom right now?

The Walt Disney World Railroad closed for refurbishment on Monday and is scheduled to be down through Oct. 29, per WDWMagic, citing Disney’s park calendar.

Walt Disney World also turns 55 on Thursday, Oct. 1, so expect a busy week at Magic Kingdom either way.

We’ll update this story if Disney explains what happened Sunday.

Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• WDW News Today (Sept. 28, 2026), Sunday’s evacuation, reopening and Monday closure, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure downtime

• Inside the Magic (Sept. 2026 and May 2026), the evacuation and the May fire

• Disney Food Blog (May 3, 2026), the May reopening-day fire

• WDWMagic (Sept. 28, 2026), the railroad refurbishment

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