Less than five months after it opened in Orlando, Disneyland’s iconic log flume ride Splash Mountain has received the same makeover in Anaheim, California, with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening today (November 15th) at Disney’s OG theme park.
It’s fair to say this update has been a long time coming. Here’s everything you need to know:
Why did they change Splash Mountain?
Splash Mountain first opened in California in 1989, before being duplicated in Orlando and Japan in 1992.
The IP / theming of this ride – which has long been considered one of the world’s best log flume attractions – was around the 1946 Disney film Song of the South. This film’s signature song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” is known the world over. It even won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1947.
But the film is a product of the time, and has not aged well, given the film’s racist portrayal of its African American characters. Disney have not shied away from this controversy, going so far as to keep the film out of its archives on its Disney+ streaming service.
Given all this, it had long been expected for Disney to bring a new IP to Splash Mountain. But doing so is a highly unusual move for Walt Disney’s original theme park – only a couple of rides have ever seen it happen. There’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, or temporary takeovers like Hyperspace Mountain (which saw Star Wars added to the Space Mountain experience). But for the most part, Imagineers will only improve and update existing ride experiences (like adding Johnny Depp to Pirates of the Caribbean), rather than present it with new IP entirely.
It can be argued that this comes from an expectation from audiences to maintain the legacy of Walt’s vision – especially with the rides he left in his wake. But he also famously said that “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”. So it’s easy to argue any changes are very much in his vision.
Fans of the park, and the ride, understandably had mixed emotions about the big change – so Imagineers knew they had to truly elevate the experience – and pick an IP that would fit the experience. After all, the ride track would remain otherwise identical.
What characters are on the ride now?
In June 2020, it was confirmed that The Princess and the Frog, would be the new IP to take over the ride. And this was fitting – the 2009 film was, after all, Disney’s first to feature an African American princess. Plus, it was set in New Orleans, which is one of the “lands” that sits near the attraction.
It would take four years for the updated experience – dubbed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – to open to much fanfare at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom. And now, less than five months later, it’s Anaheim’s turn, with the original 1989 Splash Mountain seeing the new film take over the attraction.
The retheming of the ride became not just a chance to right the wrongs of their content of the past, but also an opportunity to show off some of the newest in animatronic technology in the process. And in this they have certainly delivered – thematically picking up where the film left off, bringing Princess Tiana, gator pal Louis, Mama Odie and 19 new critter friends to life in glorious fashion.
I’m happy to say that they have achieved that, transforming the ride into one that will delight for generations to come. The magical film deserved a ride, as it stood, and on experiencing the new theming, there’s no question that this was the right move, even if you have strong memories of the original attraction. There’s simply no other existing Disney IP that could have worked so perfectly.
How will the queues work when it opens today?
With the Orlando version having opened in time for Summer, the California opening coincides with the launch of Disney’s holiday season. Which means fans can also enjoy the temporary re-theming of Haunted Mansion with Haunted Mansion Holiday – the annual Nightmare Before Christmas takeover – next door. Ongoing work on the Haunted Mansion queue means that they’ve moved to a virtual queue for the iconic ride – so join it as early in the day via the Disneyland app as you can.
Like Haunted Mansion Holiday, to meet the demand of the new experience, a virtual queue will be in operation, with spots available (via the Disneyland app) at 7am, Noon and 4pm, on most days following its initial launch. There will also be a lightning lane for the ride, though it won’t require any additional fees like Rise of the Resistance.
Details on the updated Lightning Lane pricing and experiences can be found HERE.
It’s also worth noting that Tiana’s will be one of the rare rides at the park that will offer a single rider queue – though it’s unlikely to be available at opening.
What other Tiana experiences have been brought to Disneyland?
The addition of the IP has also transformed other existing properties in the area. The former French Market restaurant is now Tiana’s Palace, with a Mint Julip bar, that opened last year – inspired by the dream restaurant she sets up at the end of the film.
There are also new stores dedicated to the ride, with a barrage of brand new The Princess and the Frog related merchandise now filling the walls of the Disney gift shops.
Right near the ride you’ll find Ray’s Berets and the Critter Club. Some favourites to look out for here are a plush toy of Tiana herself – modeled after her appearance in the ride. They also sell a waterproof pouch for you to put your phone – after all, you very much will get wet on this attraction. There’s a restaurant fund coffee can filled with chocolate coins, treats to eat at the park or take home like the Cajun Craze Crunch and even a cookbook inspired by her restaurant. Even Ray the Firefly has his own glow toy. And no Disneyland attraction would be complete without a new bucket hat or selection of pins! And you’ll find them all at the new stores in Critter Country.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is open now.
For more details about the ride, and to get tickets to Disneyland in California, head to the official website.
Photos provided by Disney Parks.
