A new tarp on the tree that once held the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad possums suggests they may be on their way back. And soon. The possums have not returned yet, but the work appears to be readying the tree to bring them back to Tumbleweed. Here’s the latest.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Possum Branch Work at Magic Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- What has changed on the Tumbleweed tree since Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened.
- Why the possums went missing in the first place.
- What Disney says about their return.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened at Magic Kingdom in May after a 16-month refurbishment, and the flooded town of Tumbleweed came back with a fresh coat of paint, looking better than it has in quite some time. That said, the hanging possums that used to welcome guests to town were missing on opening day. Recent work on their tree now points toward a comeback.
A tarp now covers a portion of the tree where the possum branch used to be. When the ride reopened, that area was simply bark, so the tarp is new to us. A tarp in that spot suggests work is underway to reattach the branch and restore the effect. We cannot see what is underneath from the ride, so we cannot confirm the exact work.
Why the Possums Went Missing
The possums reportedly did not pass a clearance test, which is why they were missing on opening day and why they are due to return at a later time.
Disney says the possums are part of the plans for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and will return soon. About five months after the ride reopened, they are still missing, but the new tarp is a promising sign. If crews reattach the branch, riders should again pass possums hanging in Tumbleweed.
Here’s a look back at a possum hanging over riders back in early 2025 before the retrack and refresh.
Story So Far
- May 3: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened after a 16-month refurbishment.
- May 3: We noted that a couple of possums were still missing from Tumbleweed in our top five improvements to the ride.
- May: Disney says the possums will return soon.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!