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The World’s Last Splash Mountain Avoids the Chopping Block In 2025

A colorful and detailed rock formation resembling a mountain, with rugged terrain, patches of greenery, and a distinct peak. The sky is overcast, adding contrast to the vibrant hues of the rocks. At its base, a wooden structure with a peaked roof hints at the Magic Kingdom's newest attraction launching next month.
Credit: Disney

There has been very little good news for Splash Mountain fans lately. Their beloved ride was replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World, and earlier this month, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at Disneyland. 

Guests descending the final drop on Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Credit: Disney

There was hope among the Splash Mountain fanbase that The Walt Disney Company would somehow come to its senses and bring back the Briar Patch. But alas, it was not to be.

However, the Splash Mountain community hoped that the world’s last Splash Mountain would remain at Tokyo Disneyland for them to ride one day. But even that seemed to be disappearing from them earlier this fall.

According to a rumor, The Walt Disney Company was negotiating with the Oriental Land Company (OLC) to remove the last remaining Splash Mountain from Tokyo Disneyland. However, removing this Splash Mountain is far more complicated than the ones at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Tokyo Disney castle at nighttime

Credit: Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee, Unsplash

The Oriental Land Company operates Tokyo Disneyland, while The Walt Disney Company licenses its intellectual property to the company to use at the theme park. Convincing the OLC to remove the theming behind one of its most popular attractions may take some doing on Disney’s part.

Disney has very little leverage over the OLC. What further complicates the negotiations is that The Princess and the Frog (2009) does not have as big an audience in Japan as it did in the United States, so simply changing the ride to Tianas Bayou Adventure isn’t going to work.

According to rumors, Disney is considering limiting future use of its IP at Tokyo Disneyland if the OLC doesn’t agree with the change. Removing Splash Mountain from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park and allowing it to remain at Tokyo Disney is a source of embarrassment for The Walt Disney Company.

Interior of Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Credit: Disney

However, now it seems that Splash Mountain received a last-minute pardon from the gallows, at least for now. According to Tokyo Disneyland’s 2025 events calendar, Splash Mountain “Get Soaked Max” will return for the summer from July 2 to September 15.

For Splash Mountain’s die-hard fans, this is the best possible news. They get at least nine months next month to make the pilgrimage to Japan to ride the last Splash Mountain on Earth.

However, if you plan a trip to Splash Mountain, you better do it soon. Disney is desperate to get rid of the final ride that reminds everyone of South of the South and will keep working to do so.

About Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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