Disney Sets Splash Mountain Closure Date For Refurbishment

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Disneyland Splash Mountain

Credit: Disney

When Guests visit Disneyland Resort, they may anticipate riding every attraction that their heart desires, and they can! But it is essential to know that when you visit, there may be a ride that is not operating.

Disneyland Splash Mountain
Credit: Disney

At times, Guests may experience a temporary closure which ends up leaving the attraction shut down for what is usually a very short amount of time. Still, if a ride is under refurbishment when you visit, it will be completely closed all day with zero chance of reopening. Oftentimes, refurbishments are set out so that Disney can ensure that all of the maintenance issues on an attraction are in check and give the ride a refresh. At times, refurbishments may mean something bigger, and can leave Guests with a much larger change once complete.

Splash Mountain Concept Art
Credit: Disney

According to the Disneyland refurbishment calendar, it seems that Splash Mountain will be closing on January 10 for a refurbishment. The calendar only shows the daily refurbishment schedule for a few days past that point, so at the moment, we are unsure how long the refurbishment will last, but with so many upcoming changes planned for Splash Mountain, many are wondering if this is the extensive Princess and the Frog refurbishment that was announced in the past.

splash mountain animatronics
Credit: Disney

Although this is possible, it should also be noted that Splash Mountain typically closes down in January or February for a yearly maintenance refurbishment at Disneyland, so this closure is matching up with what we have seen in the past. Disney has not yet announced when either Disney World or Disneyland will be seeing the newly updated Princess and the Frog attraction, but we do know that it is being worked on by Imagineers at the moment in terms of the planning and story of the attraction. As there is a lot to change, it makes sense that Disney is doing all that they can behind the scenes so that the attraction’s big closure will hopefully not last too long.

For those who do not know, Disney is ridding multiple Splash Mountain attractions to erase the Song of the South presence in their parks, which have racial undertones to it. Instead, the ride will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog, which will match the ride quite perfectly.

Mickey at Disneyland Resort
Credit: Disney

Personally, I think that this closure will likely be a short one for annual maintenance purposes and that we will hear an announcement when Disney decides to shut down the ride for the retheme.

Disneyland describes the attraction as:

A Hare-Raising Adventure
Hop inside a hollow log and float through a colorful bayou as you follow happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit to his “laughing place.” But be warned: Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of this wayward hare.

Glide past over 100 talking, singing, storytelling Audio-Animatronics critters who inhabit Splash Mountain and offer up their own slice of down-home culture. Sing along to classic Disney ditties, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

Then, brace yourself for the big finale—this musical cruise ends in a thrilling 5-story splashdown!

splash mountain
Credit: Van Eaton Galleries

You Will Get Wet!
This attraction includes 950,000 gallons of water, 3 dips and a 5-story drop. Where you’re seated will determine how wet you’ll get. Riders in the back may experience a sudden splash or spray; those who opt for the front can expect to get soaked.
A Splash of History
Many of the critters in the cast originally made their Disneyland park debut at the classic show America Sings, where they performed patriotic melodies in Tomorrowland from 1974 to 1988.

Are you excited for Disney to retheme Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog? 

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland? Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

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