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The final version of Disney’s iconic Splash Mountain is set to close to all guests in January.
Splash Mountain was once one of Disney’s most iconic attractions. First opening at Disneyland Park in 1989, the log flume ride later expanded to Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992. All three versions featured characters from Disney’s controversial 1946 film Song of the South, with guests plunging five stories into the Briar Patch.
Credit: Disney
However, Splash Mountain’s future became increasingly uncertain as Disney faced criticism over the ride’s ties to Song of the South, which has long been accused of romanticizing the post-Civil War American South. In 2020, Disney confirmed that both US versions would be replaced by a new attraction inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009), which is set to receive a live-action spin-off in the coming years.
Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain closed in January 2023, followed by Disneyland’s version in May of that year. Both have since reopened as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which takes place after the events of the animated film.
Credit: Disney
That leaves Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain, which opened in October 1992, as the final remaining version of the original attraction – but this is also set to close in January.
Tokyo Disney’s Splash Mountain Closure Confirmed
Splash Mountain is set to close at Tokyo Disney Resort on January 7, 2027.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain remains largely unchanged from its 1992 debut. Located in Critter Country, the 15-minute attraction still features Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear, alongside the original Song of the South soundtrack. Guests travel through the mountain in eight-person logs before plunging 52 feet down a 45-degree drop.
Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort
While Tokyo Disney Resort is owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company under a licensing deal with Disney, there have long been rumors that its version of the attraction will permanently close.
Its January closure isn’t permanent, with the attraction set to reopen on February 5 after a nearly month-long refurbishment. However, reports suggest Disney has pushed to retheme the attraction, with negotiations allegedly stalling over disagreements about who would cover the costs.
Recent developments have only fueled speculation, including the closure of Splash Mountain’s gift shop in November 2024, the loss of its Kao Corporation sponsorship in 2025, and the removal of a “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” sign in early 2026.
Credit: Disney
However, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has faced its own share of backlash. Some Disney fans have criticized the replacement for abandoning Splash Mountain’s original storyline, while others have complained about its lack of tension – particularly the absence of The Princess and the Frog villain Dr. Facilier and his anthem Friends on the Other Side, which many had assumed would be the obvious choice to prelude the ride’s climactic drop.
Technical issues have only added to the controversy. Magic Kingdom’s version experienced repeated breakdowns and canceled previews ahead of its June 2024 debut, with malfunctioning animatronics remaining a problem. As recently as August 2026, guests reported multiple broken elements on the attraction, while earlier incidents included a Tiana animatronic losing part of its head.
Notably, the Disney World attraction is set to undergo refurbishment starting November 2. It is expected to reopen in December 2026, although an exact date has yet to be announced.
Do you think Tokyo Disney Resort should replace its version of Splash Mountain?
