OlderDisney Parks Announces Splash Mountain Closing Date for Tiana's Bayou Adventure Overhaul, Debuts New Scene Concept Art
The end of an era is near as Splash Mountain will be closing very soon at Disney Parks!
The popular log ride attraction first opened at Disneyland in 1989 and even expanded to Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992.
However, back in June 2020, it was announced that the ride would get an overhaul from the current Song of the South theme to a The Princess and the Frog theme.
It was then revealed that the new version, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, would open in late 2024 at both US parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The voice of Princess Tiana, Anika Noni Rose, will of course be involved, reprising her voice role for the attraction.
Now, we know when Splash Mountain will be closing for the changes to take place.
Find out more inside…
The log ride will close at Walt Disney World on January 23, 2023, meaning January 22nd will be your last chance to ride it as is. Dates for the Disneyland attraction will be revealed at a later date.
It’s possible that Disneyland COULD be waiting for Mickey’s Toontown to reopen before closing down another attraction.
In addition, Disney has revealed a first look at a new scene in the attraction, which can be viewed in full in the first photo in the gallery.
According Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development – Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies, on the Disney Parks Blog, the new scene “is the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.”
She writes, “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.”
Find out more on the Disney Parks Blog!
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Posted to: Disney Parks, Disneyland, The Princess and the Frog, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World
