Over two years after Disney World announced that Splash Mountain will be revamped to be a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction, we now finally know the closing date for the log flume ride starring Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear.
Update 04-12-2023: Disneyland has announced the closing date for Splash Mountain.
Splash Mountain will close in early 2023
At Disneyland, Splash Mountain will have its last day of operation on May 30 and close on May 31, 2023.
Splash Mountain permanently closed at Disney World on January 23, 2023.
The closure of Splash Mountain is sure to be a bittersweet for many Disney fans. Splash Mountain is one of the most iconic and beloved attractions at both Disney World and Disneyland. This fun-filled log flume ride perfectly blends thrills and intricate dark ride scenes, and it’s consistently been in our top ten Disney World attractions. From the catchy songs to the plunge into the briar patch, this ride created many cherished memories.
However, the anticipation of a new ride is already stirring up excitement. With the announcement of Splash Mountain’s closing date, Disney provided new details on Splash Mountain’s replacement.
New details on what’s replacing Splash Mountain
Opening in late 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will still be a log flume ride through dark ride scenes and drops. While the ride will still offer many of the same thrills and excitement that it has in the past, the look and feel of the ride will be refreshed and different. The new design will feature characters from The Princess and the Frog, including Princess Tiana and Louis the Alligator.
Disney Parks Blog shared a sneak peek at a new scene coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which comes after the ride’s first drop.
In Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you’ll join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis during Mardi Gras season as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans. This new scene is the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.
As you can see here, fireflies will light up the night and invite you deeper into the bayou … almost like they’re waving you forward. What you can’t tell from this rendering – so you’ll just have to trust me on this one – is that beautiful zydeco music will fill the air. Zydeco is a special blend of rhythm and blues that was born in Louisiana, and when you hear it, you’ll feel like you’ve truly stepped into Tiana’s world.
Here you’ll find Louis, who explains where this amazing music is coming from. Tiana made some new friends out here – a band full of adorable critters, including an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and others. The band members sing and play instruments made of natural materials they found in the bayou. It feels like they may have a bigger role to play in this story … but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.
Like so many musical genres, zydeco brings together the sounds and styles of many cultures. We wanted that spirit reflected in this scene (and throughout the attraction) so that all our guests feel welcome to join in the celebration. It’s emblematic of what we’re always striving for with our attractions – bringing people of different backgrounds together through timeless Disney stories. This new musical adventure provides us with a song sheet to write that concept into reality.
Guide2WDW’s Take
It is definitely bittersweet to say goodbye to Splash Mountain. While I definitely understand why Disney wants to update the ride to a more modern and inclusive property, I still have a lot of great memories of this ride. However, I am optimistic about the future of Magic Kingdom and Disneyland’s log flume ride.
With cheerful musical critters and a magical atmosphere, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure looks like it’s shaping up to be a worthy successor to Splash Mountain. I’m hopeful that the new animatronics and effects will make this ride even better equipped for the next few decades.
We want to hear from you!
Let me know in the comments below: How is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure looking to you? What do you think about Splash Mountain closing at Disney World and Disneyland?
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