The End Is Nigh: Disney's Last Remaining Splash Mountain Dealt With Major Blow

There’s only one version of Splash Mountain left standing in the world, but it seems like its days may be numbered.

Originally debuting at Disneyland in 1989, Splash Mountain became one of Disney’s most recognizable attractions. The log flume ride, based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, combined animatronics, sing-along tunes, and a five-story drop into a family-friendly spectacle that quickly drew long lines and iconic status.

The attraction was later cloned at Walt Disney World in 1992 and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992. Each version carried the same storyline and soundtrack centered on Br’er Rabbit’s mischievous adventures in the Briar Patch. Despite its popularity, the ride’s association with Song of the South – a film long criticized for its racist stereotypes and portrayal of plantation life – became increasingly problematic.

In 2020, The Walt Disney Company announced that both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions would be rethemed to The Princess and the Frog. The decision came amid broader corporate conversations about cultural representation. Disney World’s reimagined ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – which has drawn extremely mixed reactions from fans – opened in 2024, with the Anaheim version following months later.

That left Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain as the last of its kind.

At Tokyo Disneyland, the attraction continues to operate much as it did in the early 1990s, complete with the same soundtrack and storyline. Yet, some fans fear the recent developments may signal the beginning of the end.

Sponsorship Shake-Up Sparks Concern For Splash Mountain

Kao Corporation – a longtime sponsor of Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain – has quietly ended its partnership.

While Kao remains a sponsor of Toy Story Mania! at Tokyo DisneySea and the park’s popular hand-washing areas, it is no longer listed as a sponsor of Splash Mountain on the Tokyo Disney Resort website, leading many to question why it pulled out of Splash Mountain specifically.

For years, rumors have circulated that Disney wanted to retheme the ride in Japan, though negotiations between the Oriental Land Company (OLC) – which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort via a licensing deal with The Walt Disney Company – and Disney reportedly stalled over cost responsibility.

As the licensing partner, Disney is said to be pressuring OLC to retire the attraction. Reports suggest Disney has even restricted the use of Splash Mountain’s music across the park and plans to limit the sale of its related merchandise.

Tokyo Disneyland has often resisted implementing certain “sensitivity” changes found in its U.S. counterparts. The park’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean, for instance, still features the original “we wants the redhead” scene, a sequence that Disney modified years ago at the likes of Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Disneyland Paris.

Despite these tensions, Splash Mountain remains one of the resort’s most beloved attractions. Its souvenirs—from plush toys to themed snacks—regularly sell out, making it a key moneymaker for the park. Fans flock to the attraction year-round, with special “extra-wet” summer editions becoming a highlight of Tokyo’s humid season.

Even so, the closure of the attraction’s gift shop, Hoot & Holler Hideout, in November 2024 has only added to the uncertainty. Some took this as a quiet sign that Tokyo’s final Splash Mountain might soon follow the others into the history books.

Do you think Tokyo Disneyland should axe its version of Splash Mountain?