Disney Confirms Refurbishment Plans for Upcoming Splash Mountain Closure

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Princess and the Frog Concept Art

Credit: Disney

Yesterday, we reported that Splash Mountain at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, would be closing for refurbishment. According to Disney’s refurbishment calendar, the attraction will be closing on January 10.

Splash Mountain drop
Credit: Disney

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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
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Ride Closing For Refurbishment This Month

Now, we know that this refurbishment is what we speculated previously, which is just a yearly routine maintenance closure and not the big closure for the massive Princess and the Frog overhaul. Reporter Scott Gustin took to Twitter to note:

I confirmed this is just a regular Splash Mountain refurbishment and NOT a refurbishment that will include a Princess and the Frog “reimagining.”

Princess and the Frog Concept Art
Credit: Disney

Splash Mountain typically closes down in January or February for a yearly maintenance refurbishment at Disneyland, so this closure matches 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 it can behind the scenes so that the attraction’s large 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 has racial undertones to it. Instead, the ride will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog, which will match the ride quite perfectly. We have recently seen Jungle Cruise do a similar transformation at both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom.

Splash Mountain poster
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Extends Iconic Ride Refurbishment, Closure Will Span 7 Months

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!

Anika Noni Rose on Splash Mountain Retheme
Credit: Disney

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.

It is likely that before the massive retheme happens, Disney will make some sort of an announcement, and perhaps there will be more concept art released, but that is purely hopeful and not confirmed.

How long do you think it will take 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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