A Classic Disneyland Ride Is Closing Forever In A Month
While Splash Mountain has already been shut down at Disney World to soon be replaced with Tiana's Bayou Adventure, it seems that the same ride at Disneyland will shut down in May.
Back in January, Walt Disney World closed its famous Splash Mountain water ride, which had faced criticism over the years due to its ties to the controversial Song of the South film. Following the closure of the attraction at Magic Kingdom in Florida, rumors began to circulate that Splash Mountain, located at Disneyland in California, would also be shutting down. It looks like those rumors turned out to be true, as Disneyland News Today is reporting the attraction will close forever this May.
Although Disney has yet to confirm the aforementioned date, Splash Mountain will indeed be shutting down, and the news is absolutely heartbreaking for Disneyland visitors. The ride itself is based on the characters and stories of the Uncle Remus tales, which were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The attraction features scenes and characters from said stories, including Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox.
On Splash Mountain, guests board hollowed-out logs and set off on a journey through a colorful and whimsical world that features animatronic characters and catchy music. Of course, the most memorable moment on the iconic ride is the final drop, which plunges riders down a 50-foot waterfall at a speed of over 40 miles per hour. The exhilarating moment leaves guests soaked and screaming, making Splash Mountain one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland.
Despite the popularity of the attraction, Splash Mountain has been criticized for having racist roots, with some Disneyland guests accusing it of perpetuating racist stereotypes. In response to these criticisms, Disney announced in 2020 that it would be retheming the ride to instead be based on the hit film The Princess and the Frog, which features a Black Disney Princess and is set in New Orleans. The new version of the attraction is expected to debut in 2024 and will feature characters and scenes from the Oscar-nominated film, as well as new music and effects.
Even with all of the controversy, Splash Mountain is still one of the most favored attractions at Disneyland. The ride’s combination of thrilling drops, catchy music, and colorful theming will undoubtedly be missed by visitors. Fortunately, the park’s replacement of the attraction to The Princess and the Frog is sure to bring new life and excitement to the beloved ride.
The upcoming attraction, called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, will take place after the events of the 2009 animated film. Tiana has established an employee-owned community food co-op called Tiana’s Foods, which is housed inside a salt mine, with workers planting crops along the old Splash Mountain waterway. While aboard the ride, visitors will ascend through a mill house built into the side of the mountain at Disneyland.
The French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square will be replaced by Tiana’s Palace. Meanwhile, a shop featuring The Princess and the Frog merchandise, Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets, is already open to guests. Although Tiana’s Bayou Adventure won’t debut until sometime in 2024, it looks like Splash Mountain will shut down long before then.
