Disney Reveals Splash Mountain’s Final Day of Operation

in Walt Disney World

Splash Mountain ride

Credit: Disney

Few things are more talked about in the Disney community than the upcoming retheming of Splash Mountain. Announced back in the Summer of 2020, this retheme will drop the original and somewhat “problematic” Song of the South (1946) theme and replace it with a brand new story based on Disney’s The Princess and the Frog from 2009.

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Credit: ITM

Related: Disney Brings Infamous Character Out of 95-Year Retirement

While Splash Mountain is a very iconic and beloved attraction and has become one of the most recognizable rides in the world, the basis for the ride does come from a film that Disney has done its best to hide. Disney’s Song of the South (1946) is a film that many have deemed racist for its depictions of the Reconstruction-era American South.

The film has been effectively erased from Disney’s ever-expanding catalog of animated films, though with enough digging, you are sure to find it online. While slightly sad, we at Inside the Magic couldn’t be more excited for the new ride, now called “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” which will be opening in 2024. 

For years we’ve been wondering when Splash Mountain will finally close at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Well, today is the day as the official closure date has been revealed, at least for the attraction located in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

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Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Responds to Cast Member Protest Over Low Wages

Splash Mountain will be closing at Walt Disney World on January 23, 2023. This has just been confirmed online.

As of now, Disneyland’s Splash Mountain will continue operation in January. Not much is known about what the new experience will look like, but we are super excited about what the future holds.

Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World

A Hare-Raising Ride

Gently drift through a colorful Southern bayou along with happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” But be warned: Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of this wayward hare. 

Glide by over 100 adorable Audio-Animatronics geese, frogs, raccoons, possums, bees, alligators and other down-home critters as they sing classic Disney ditties, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “Ev’rybody’s Got a Laughing Place.”

Then hang on to your hats—this delightful musical cruise ends in an exciting 5-story splashdown into a thorny Briar Patch!

Are you looking forward to this new attraction?

in Walt Disney World

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