Some of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s most beloved residents are finally home! Walt Disney Imagineering announced on Monday, November 3, that the opossums have returned to the wildest ride in the wilderness at Magic Kingdom, about six months after the attraction reopened without them.
Mom and Dad Opossum Are Back
The first two members of the opossum family are back on their tree in the flooded mining town of Tumbleweed. As Imagineering put it, “Mom and dad opossum are back,” and the rest of the family will be returning soon. So keep an eye out for the little ones on a future ride!
Why the Opossums Went Missing
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened on May 3, 2026, after a 16 month refurbishment that brought smoother track, new trains, refreshed scenes and new effects and lighting. But longtime fans quickly noticed the opossum family was nowhere to be found in Tumbleweed.
Disney explained that the opossums didn’t pass ride envelope testing after the new track was installed, meaning they sat too close to the trains and guests. Disney promised they would return, and Imagineering has been working on a way to bring them back safely ever since. An October permit to install set elements at the attraction was one of the first signs that their return was close.
A Small Detail Fans Love
The opossum family has been a fun little detail on Big Thunder Mountain for decades, and spotting them hanging around in Tumbleweed has become a tradition for many fans. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the smallest touches make a Disney attraction feel like home.
More changes are on the way for this corner of Magic Kingdom, too. Piston Peak National Park is bringing two Cars attractions to the area, and next door, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is closed for its first refurbishment through December 17.
Have you spotted the opossums on your Big Thunder ride yet? Let us know in the comments!
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