There is SO much going on at Disney World and Disneyland — we’re seeing new attractions being built at Disney World, and we just witnessed the grand opening of Avengers Campus at Disneyland.
When will we get to see this re-themed?
We’ve even been able to enjoy a re-theme of the Jungle Cruise at both parks (which is complete at Disneyland). But we’re still wondering, what is going on with the Splash Mountain re-theme project?
In June 2020, Disney first announced that Splash Mountain (located in Disney World and Disneyland) would be getting a new theme based on The Princess and the Frog. The new attraction will pick up where the film left off and will take guests on a musical adventure with Princess Tiana and Louis as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.
Princess and the Frog attraction Concept Art ©Disney
After Disney World reopened, Splash Mountain continued to be, well, Splash Mountain, and we’ve heard nothing but crickets concerning any updates about the new theme. But today, we FINALLY have some answers as to when guests might expect to ride a newly-revamped version of the ride…and…well, it’s not going to be anytime soon.
It’s going to look like this for a while longer.
During the Theme Park Rangers Podcast, Melissa Valiquette, vice president of Magic Kingdom, gave an update on the project. She first reiterated that reimagining something like Splash Mountain can be a lengthy process and that she’s currently in a lot of meetings about it. This is why guests haven’t seen any changes yet. In fact, she said the process could take many months, and even years, before we see anything.
The laughin’ place is sticking around for a while.
However, she talked about the behind-the-scenes things that guests don’t see and said that “terrific work has been done, including some selections around music, around animatronics and music, and it is really an inspiring story.” Okay, that sounds promising!
Splash Mountain
She also mentioned how the story of The Princess and the Frog is special to her, not only because she’s from Louisiana herself, but also because Princess Tiana was Disney’s first black princess. She said, “It was really important to me, as I’ve been meeting with our Imagineers, that this story gets portrayed honestly and accurately and they’ve done such a remarkable job of that, especially at a time when they’ve not been able to travel to a great degree.”
It’s still a very popular ride
She believes Imagineers have created something that will “capitalize on what’s already special about the ride” but also turn it into something new that future generations of guests will love. So she asked for guests for their trust “because we promise not to let you down, we’re going to deliver a wonderful attraction that’s inspiring and beautiful, and worthy of this princess, Princess Tiana. “
Princess Tiana
Finally, she thinks that the current area where Splash Mountain sits in Frontierland has great potential to fit the new story. “I think it’s going to be a perfect addition back there,” she said.
So it does seem like it’s probably going to be some time before we see the new version of Splash Mountain, which is ironic considering that when merchandise for the attraction went on sale last year, people were buying everything as if they were under the impression the ride was going away soon. It’s doesn’t seem to be, but we’ll continue to keep you updated on the progress of the re-theme!
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What do you think? How long do you believe it will be before we get the new version of Splash Mountain? Let us know in the comments!
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Splash Mountain was my ride for the trip going to Magic Kingdom . I did not think it was anything wrong . People can think anything is wrong if they look for it . If they change it Disney needs to please everyone so do it or not.
I’m happy the project is taking a long time. I wish they would restock the splash mountain stores. One has been closed and the other is this strange understocked afterthought. Give the people what they want. They want Splash Mountain merch.
I strongly suggest and urge Disney to keep Splash Mountain as is! It is a terrific attraction that families have loved for years. It is a classic, just like It’s A Small World, The Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain. They have plenty of land to build a new Princess and the Frog attraction.
I’m guessing 2 years. What I want to know is, will they sell anymore Splash Mountain merchandise in the meantime? The store is bare for that right now.
I’m actually really glad it’s going to be a while before it’s redone. My husband has never been to WDW before and we have plans to go next year. I have been hoping he’ll be able to enjoy the ride before it changes
Exciting to hear this news about the ride and to watch Disney’s progression over the years into a more cultural/racial/ethnic/orientation sensitive organization! I watch the older movies and, while I love them, I just cringe at the inappropriate and sometimes downright insulting scenes.
I could not be happier that this may take years. I love Splash Mountain, it’s so colorful and fun. Princess and the Frog is one of the darkest and most boring Disney animated features they’ve released in a long time with some of the most forgettable music ever. I can’t name or even hum a single tune from that film and I’ve seen it a couple of times. Guess I’ll be enjoying my laughing place for a while yet.
I have been waiting for what seems like forever. My parents never let me ride Splash Mountain when I was a child and as an adult the current theme just seems wrong. I would love to ride it but I wont until it changes.
They can take as long as they want here. Splash Mountain is my favorite ride.
Looking forward to seeing the changes and Tiana definitely deserves her own attraction but I will always love the laughing place
Hope takes years…and years…and years…😏
I wouldn’t think WDW can afford to have a single ride down during the 50th Anniversary so this is smart. Of course I’m still trying to figure out how you have a mountain in a swamp?’
I hope it is a few years, I want as much time left with Splash as is!!
Have been staying away from Disney recently due to the larger crowds and increasing COVID cases here in Florida and I’m relieved to know that there will still be time to experience this classic and favorite ride before Disney takes it away. So heartbroken that this ride is changing and not excited about the re-theme at all…sometimes a change is warranted and welcome but some classics should just not be touched.
I deliberately scrolled down to see all of the OHH DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING and was not disappointed. It’s very easy to hold fast to a view of history that has not negatively affected you in the past or present. Although I enjoy Splash Mountain, I would never assume that it doesn’t bring up uncomfortable feelings for POC. I myself love the Princess and the Frog movie and revel in the jazz tunes.❤️ I assumed it would take them years to complete the revamp and I can’t wait to see it when it’s finally finished.
I urge Disney to leave Splash Mountain as it is! It’s a great attraction and there is no reason to change it. If Disney would like, they can build a new attraction for for Princess and the Frog in another part of the park. Leave Splash Mountain as it is!
My family is so happy that it could take years to make that change hopefully never that’s is the laughing place we also saw the movie the princess and the frog and did not like it and no it’s not any thing against princess tiana she is beautiful and it’s great that she is there and Disney already has already made some changes that were not needed what would Walt Disney think of what has happened the powers that b r doing things that r destroying his dream for all wonderful things he has done and thinking of them selves shame on u
There’s an old expression…”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” which certainly applies here. This is a classic ride where the majority of people DON’T want it to change. I hope the reimagining of this ride takes FOREVER to come to fruition and maybe Disney will come to their senses…but I won’t hold my breath.
People react to change by either embracing it or fighting/turning away from it. Disney has always updated it’s parks with new or re-imagined attractions. The change coming to Splash Mountain being updated to the Princess and the Frog, isn’t any different than the change that occurred at Epcot’s Maelstorm ride being converted to Frozen. Some people liked the change, others didn’t – but we still enjoy Disney. I still miss Disney Quest, which was completely gutted to make way for the NBA Experience, and I don’t play basketball and have no interest in any team sports – but I still visit Disney Springs. And did we forget, that Disney Springs use to be Downtown Disney? Lets enjoy the beauty of Splash Mountain for now and be excited for the new, innovative ride to come in the form of The Princess and the Frog. I know that Disney, it will make it amazing!
People shouldn’t feel guilty about not wearing Disney T-Shirts or ears. On one of my my facebook groups, someone trashed a woman because she was in regular clothes. I saw that only once, but it stuck with me.
Kristin, thank you for reaching out and for your patience.
Classics are classics and should not be changed. Look at the Enchanted Tiki Room. That change was horrible, and they returned it back to its original format. Again, plenty of room to build a new attraction. Leave Splash Mountain as is.
My family enjoys splash mountain and they don’t need to change it to the princess and the frog Disney does too many changes as it is such journey into the imagination and universe of energy also the great movie ride so Spectro magic which was the best night parade o longer b Disney worl
Like the great job they did with Journey into Imagination.
P.S. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah is not a racist song,
yes they sure did mess up the tiki room Disney needs to stop b fore they make an amusement park and destroy all true magic that Walt Disney’s dream and the pixie dust what Disney is doing is so wrong but I don’t think they even care u need to listen to people who want what Walt Disney created for us that has been my family’s happy place for years and now they could destroy all that that is heartless and yes we r very disappointed and sad and angry
Unfortunately, this movie and the song were an intended throwback to the minstrel show, which was an extremely racist part of our history. It is hard for us to understand that because we don’t live that story every day and we can only notice what affects us personally. It’s hard to see how it can affect others. People did not have difficulty with the transition of the Norway ride to Frozen, so I fail to see how this transition is any different. Everyone has the choice to attend Disney in the future or not, so if this is really a deal breaker for you, then you certainly do not have to go to Disney and ride the new Princess and the Frog attraction.
I hope they come to their senses a never change it. It’s obviously very popular and beloved with a passion
Leave splash mountain alone
I hope the change takes a long time , or NOT AT ALL.
Splash Mountain is a Classic, All Time Favorite. It’s too bad that just because some feel it is offensive, Disney has to cater to them. What about the others that don’t feel that way? Don’t we get a say? Just make Tiana her own attraction. Nothing exciting about her or story. I tried watching Princess and The Frog 3 times with my grandson, so I would know the story. I fell asleep all 3 times. Plus, a Princess DOES NOT belong in Frontierland!
Replying to Kristen…..
OMG….that was not a smart transition to Norway. What does Frozen….another dark story…have to do with Norway, except for the story line. That change did nothing for the Country of Norway Exhibit, and now the ride is BORING! Disney removed some culture and history from Norway. Isn’t that what Epcot is about, to learn something about those countries?
Plus, I think Frozen is another boring, Evil story. The ONLY thing that makes it a likeable is the music.
The film that splash is based on is racist whether you think so or not–the NAACP was furious about the film. Look it up. A change is long overdue. Besides, I’m a millennial and the first time I went on the ride I had no idea what it was from and was always hoping for a re-theme. Then I learned about the racist film that the ride’s based on and hoped for the re-theme even more so.
I hope it takes a long, long time for that retheme. Splash Mountain should stay Splash Mountain. The Princess and the Frog is a super movie and Tiana is a lovely princess, but she should have her very own ride!
Replying to DMD:
I totally agree with you! That was such a strange transition and I believe a lot of people attributed it to the direction of Iger to put more IP in the park. I did not like the transition at all but I still go on it and I don’t bash Disney about it. I originally said I did not hear a lot of negativity on social media about it, but I decided to google and look back. Interestingly enough, there were a ton of negative comments from people who were upset about the transition. However, nobody talks about it almost 5 years later and everyone tries to get on the ride.
It’s just amusing to me how many people are so furious about the Splash Mountain change. I’m thinking this change will go along the same lines of the Norway change. People will be upset for a while, and then it will become common place in Magic Kingdom.
We agree with u dmd
I hope that it never changes.
There r a lot of us that don’t want splash 💦 mountain to change and we have that right to feel that way and it’s not amusing there is nothing funny about it !!!!!!
People can say what they want but I bet anything the ones calling Song of the South racist have never seen the movie, This is a wonderful movie, It took place in the south it the times of slavery and in the movie there were servants. weather you like it or not that was part of life back then. Uncle Remus singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah is one of the highlights of the movie. Walt would never allow this change I will never go near the new attraction
I love Splash Mountain but I’m sure I’ll love the Tiana re-do as well. Disney has always changed things from time to time and that’s just the way it is. I’m still annoyed that they took away 20,000 Leagues but I doubt many people will join me in a cry of protest over that. LOL.
My family loved 20.000 leaques unde the sea and we do miss that it was so much fun felt like we were n it with captain Nemo a real shame that it’s gone too many changes and still more on the way that is a shame too Mickey please step n and stop the madness they need to listen to u and of course Minnie
There’s nothing wrong with Splash Mountain. Leave it alone! If you really want to do a Princess and the Frog attraction, then do a separate ride for it. Makes me wonder if all these people that complain about Song of the South have even seen the movie. I wish Disney Execs would actually read the comments on here and maybe realize their mistake.
We sure agree with u SAM u r right doubting that these people that r complaining about splash mountain have ever seen it they r just on a witch hunt to destroy something leave splash mountain alone and do the attraction for princess tiara some where else Disney has plenty of room for that and not build another resort we think they ha e plenty of them
Splash mountain is my favorite ride. It’s a ride for girls and boys but will now be a princess ride like Frozen was turned into. They could have done so many other things with Tianna. Given her a restaurant or a brand new ride. Although she already has her themed rooms in Riverside. It would have been so nice if they would have just put some money into it but kept it the same. It always has a long wait so I can’t imagine too many people hating it for whatever reason. It’s obviously loved the way it is.
I don’t understand why so many people are upset about the transition. There are people who are offended by the theming of the current ride. I am one of them. I can’t wait for Princess and the frog so I can finally ride it.