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Credit: DisneyFor more than thirty years, Splash Mountain was one of the most iconic rides in both Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests boarded a log that took them on an exciting — and very wet — adventure alongside Br’er Rabbit.
Unfortunately, he has Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear hot on his tail, trying to capture him at every turn. The attraction was based on the 1946 movie Song of the South and the stories told by Uncle Remus.
Related: Disney Hints at Regretting Closing Splash Mountain
In recent years, Song of the South has faced increased criticism, with many finding the film overtly racist. Then, in 2020, while the theme parks were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney announced that it would be closing Splash Mountain and retheming it after the hit animated film The Princess and the Frog (2009).
Fans were devastated at the announcement and immediately started petitioning Disney to change their mind. Despite the backlash, Disney continued with its plans, and in June 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at Walt Disney World. Five months later, in November, it opened in Disneyland Park.
Since its opening, many people have complained that the new attraction does not have the same magic as Splash Mountain. There are also numerous complaints about the ride breaking down more than it should. Disney has already made several changes to the attraction in the few months it has been open.
Most recently, Disney announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland would no longer use its virtual queue system. That shocked many, considering the attraction has been open for less than one month. Rumors started to swirl that the attraction was already failing and not attracting guests the way Splash Mountain did.
Related: Fans Speak Out on Visual Alteration Made to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: “WDW Is a Joke”
With all of the changes being made to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in such a short amount of time, some believe that Splash Mountain will be making its triumphant return much sooner than they were hoping, although it won’t be the same as it was.
X (formerly Twitter) user Brer Oswald shared some of their thoughts on what could be coming around the bend.
I don’t think Splash Mountain will ever come back as it was.
I do however think that:
– TBA will get a band-aid overhaul that adds Dr Facilier and returns the “Splash Mountain” moniker (albeit with a Tiana subtitle)
– The original Splash Mountain will receive more tributes and retro merchandise (much like the old EPCOT rides do now)
– Zipadeedoodah will return to the parks, potentially even within the band-aid fix of TBA. It’s far too iconic and beloved of a song, and its association with that log flume is too hard to break.The narrative that Splash “needed to go” is already slipping, and Bayou Adventure isn’t even a year old. When most of the current regime is replaced, the company will publicly acknowledge it was a mistake (much like Journey Into Imagination), and they will throw fans a “bone” while not doing the proper thing of restoring the masterpiece as it was (also like Journey Into Imagination).
I don’t think Splash Mountain will ever come back as it was.
I do however think that:
– TBA will get a band-aid overhaul that adds Dr Facilier and returns the “Splash Mountain” moniker (albeit with a Tiana subtitle)
– The original Splash Mountain will receive more tributes and…— Brer Oswald (@BrerOswald) December 8, 2024
Related: Disney Adds Tiana and Friends to Another Ride, Effective Immediately
The tweet ignited a firestorm of debate, with some commenters telling him to “get over it,” while others agreed with the post, saying that Disney really messed up by replacing Splash Mountain with an attraction that isn’t nearly as popular.
However, one commenter said that as long as Disney paid influencers to speak positively about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the ride would stay, and Disney would pour more money into it.
As long as there are paid influencers like me, the odds are stacked against anything Splash ever returning. There is a reason Disney uses their paid influencers to try and form public opinion of others…
As long as there are paid influencers like me, the odds are stacked against anything Splash ever returning. There is a reason Disney uses their paid influencers to try and form public opinion of others…
— Clickbait Corless (@ClckbaitCorless) December 8, 2024
Many people blamed Bob Iger and said that he was the primary reason Splash Mountain was closed. Mr. Iger is set to remain at Disney through the end of 2026, although rumors have been swirling that he might step down a little earlier if a successor is in place and ready to go. Those who blame Iger think that, once he is gone, there won’t be anyone around to fight against bringing Splash Mountain back.
Since announcing Splash Mountain’s closure, Disney has stood behind its decision to transform the ride into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Imagineers are also continuously working hard on ways to improve the attraction.
Do you think Disney will bring back Splash Mountain? Which attraction do you prefer — Splash Mountain or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Share your thoughts in the comments!