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Another Classic Disney Ride Closes Forever

Posted by: Steven Wilk May 31, 2023 Comments Off on Another Classic Disney Ride Closes Forever

Disneyland Signage
Credit: DVC Shop

Tuesday May 30 is a unique day in Disney Parks history.

Exterior of Sleeping Beauty Castle

Credit: Disney

Closed Forever

It marks the officially closing of the original Splash Mountain ride at Disneyland Park in Anaheim.

RELATED: Where to See ‘Homeless’ Tiana at Disney World

Based on the film Song of the South (1946) and also stemming from an idea of what to do with a bunch of left over audio animatronics from America Sings, the flume ride opened in 1989.

splash-mountain

Credit: Disney

Although the Walt Disney World Resort version of the ride, located inside the Magic Kingdom Park had shut down in January of this year, the Disneyland attraction continued to run through Memorial Day weekend. Currently construction is underway at the Magic Kingdom, transforming their former Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The new ride will use the same track layout as the former Splash Mountain, but will be themed to the animated feature The Princess and the Frog (2009). A similar plan is in place at Disneyland Park.

RELATED: Orange Bird, Princess Tiana, and More Beloved Characters Spotted at This Disney Resort

During the ride’s last day of operation, Disney Guests reported wait times north of 200 minutes and some even collected water from the flume to take as souvenirs.

The re-theming is expected to take over a year to complete, debuting in 2024 at the Disneyland Park.

https://twitter.com/JamesCMulligan/status/1663835198562377728

The New Attraction

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take Disney Guests through a storyline over what happened to Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and the rest of their friends after the movie ended. Instead of a mountain, the ride will be themed as a salt mine where Tiana and her friends will be hosting a Mardi Gras party.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Concept Art

Credit: Disney

The voice actors from the 2009 animated film will be reprising their roles for the new attraction including Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, and Michael Leon Wooley as Louis.

RELATED: Splash Mountain/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Update

Both versions of the ride will open in 2024, although official dates have not yet been released.

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)