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Credit: DisneyThe latest update to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is perhaps one of the most exciting so far but also perhaps one of the most controversial to some Splash Mountain fans.
It was announced last month that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure had moved from a fall 2024 opening date to summer, significantly shortening the expected time that it would be closed. The ride has had some exciting updates over the last few weeks, including adding water back into the flume and testing the log ride vehicles. A recent post shared online by WDWNT shows that Disney World is making significant progress on the ride, with the logs now officially being added back into the flume to test. However, it’s not the reappearance of the logs that’s got fans talking, it’s the lack of something familiar.
When news of Tiana replacing Splash Mountain first broke, Splash Mountain fans were outraged. It’s a classic attraction that’s been found in Disneyland and Walt Disney World for decades, cooling guests down on a hot summer day while getting “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” stuck in your head the rest of the day. Despite both U.S. versions of the attraction closing down last year, the ride still has fervent fans who haven’t yet given up hope on saving Splash Mountain.
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Inside the Magic covered the initial reveal of the concept model for the ride shared by Disney insider Scott Gustin in September 2022, fans were quick to point out that the logs still featured Br’er Rabbit on the front, the way they did when the ride was Splash Mountain. Disney is known for often including nods and Easter eggs of former rides in updated attractions, and many speculated that Br’er Rabbit would be allowed to stay as the ride’s homage to its former theme.
However, Gustin shut down hope immediately, informing fans that although his image was shown on the concept model, it would not be on the final version of the updated logs. That didn’t stop fans from hoping, however, and disappointment was heavy with the first reveal of the new logs a few weeks ago. Not only did Disney World remove Br’er Rabbit from the front of the logs, but they didn’t replace him with a frog or similar animal to tie in Tiana’s bayou theme.
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Fans are still expressing disappointment over this missed opportunity, as the ride vehicles currently have no distinguishing characteristics that reference Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Under the post from WDWNT, several comments question the decision not to replace Br’er Rabbit on the front. “Aren’t they going to put something on the front? Ray or Louis would be super cute,” one comment asks while another jokes that “They’ve been derabbitated.” “If they don’t put something they are really cheapening out on this.”
“Kinda thought they’d spruce them up a bit 
” one stated as another comment replied, “Removed and replaced with nothing lol, thats new imagineering for ya.” On top of the complaints about the missing log ornament, others are questioning the decision to reuse the logs from Splash Mountain. The logs had experienced several instances of sinking prior to the attraction’s closure, bringing up concerns for safety and cleanliness.
Although it may be a minor detail in the grand scheme of things, Walt Disney Imagineers are known for their emphasis on utilizing small details to help create an immersive environment. The Disney parks are also known for going above and beyond, even with something as simple as a ride decoration. While it’s possible they could be waiting to add detail to the logs until they’ve finished testing everything, the vehicles currently give no indication that anything else is expected to be added.
Are you upset with the missing Br’er Rabbit adornment on the logs, or are you holding out hope there’s still more details to be added? Do you think Tiana’s Bayou Adventure should replace the logs completely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!