When Disney announced in June 2020 that the popular attraction Splash Mountain would be closed and rethemed into a new attraction inspired by Disney’s film, The Princess and the Frog, we couldn’t wait to see what the Imagineers had in store.
Just what would this historic retheme look like, and how would Disney keep the aspects of what so many guests have loved about Splash Mountain over the years? Disney is keeping the details hush-hush, but now we know who is spearheading the project and WHEN we’ll get more information about the re-theme — thanks to a new interview with one of the Imagineers behind the attraction’s update!
Disney made history when The Princess and the Frog debuted and the world met Tiana, the first Black Disney princess. And just like Tiana had a dream in the film, Imagineer Charita Carter had a dream, too. In a recent interview with Essence, Carter opened up about her long love of Disney and what that means for Splash Mountain.
Growing up just 150 miles away from Disneyland, Carter would watch The Wonderful World of Disney and dream about walking through the roads of Main Street, U.S.A. for herself. She visited Disneyland “every once in a while” with her family but never imagined where she would end up today.
Now the Executive Producer of Relevancy Activations for Walt Disney Imagineering, Carter is spearheading the reimagination of Splash Mountain — something that she’s now comfortable with, but after working as an accountant for most of her life, the creative side of Imagineering pushed her out of her comfort zone and into a whole new world.
Carter got the call to be the producer and the team leader for The Princess and the Frog retheme, and the rest is history. According to Carter, the team behind the retheme is “building upon what was done with the animated film” and they have been working with New Orleans community members to make sure they get the spirit of the city right.
Unfortunately, Carter didn’t share any details about exactly when Splash Mountain will close in both Disney World and Disneyland for the renovations, but we can expect more details from the Essence Festival later this summer!
In June of 2022, Anika Noni Rose (the actress who voiced Tiana) gave an unexpected update on this ride refurbishment! During the interview, Rose said, “They are making a ride — it’ll be out in 2024″ but Disney has yet to confirm.
Disney has shared, though, that we can expect a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where all are welcome! Not only that, but we will get to meet NEW characters along the way as well.
Click Here to Read More About Splash Mountain’s ICONIC Transformation
The Princess and the Frog retheme isn’t the only new attraction coming to the parks! Over in Magic Kingdom, we recently saw TRON Lightcycle Run with the lights on at night for the first time, and you can check out those photos here!
And in EPCOT, Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana is under construction. This attraction promises to be an immersive, water-based, walk-through experience like we’ve never seen.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
What’s your favorite Disney ride? Let us know in the comments!
TRENDING NOW

What dishes should you try in Disney World this year? We've got your list right...

Every day, we see guests at Disney World park entrances who did not know they...

Genie+ is the new paid version of what used to be known as FastPass+ in...

From new restaurant hot spots to tried-and-true classics that only get better with age, consider...

The wait time for Oogie Boogie Bash tickets is very long! Get all the details...

We're taking you with us to dine at San Angel Inn Restaurante in Disney World's...

Former CEO of the Walt Disney Company Michael Eisner spoke about the current CEO, Bob...

We asked our readers to rank Magic Kingdom's quick service restaurants and here's what they...

Disney+ has plenty of shows and movies to make us feel like we're there, even...

In this all new DFB Video, we're breaking down some Disney World SECRETS.

Disney World's Garden Grill character meal got a big menu change!

Would the Disney parks ever close again? With COVID-19 case numbers on the rise, we're...

Did you know there are a BUNCH of Disney World resorts that are WALKING DISTANCE...

We're testing Disney's new reusable utensils to see if they're worth it! Here's our review.

Let's take a look at EVERY character meal that has returned to traditional service in...

We asked our readers what Disney World resorts are worth the price, and you'll be...

We've got a list of over a dozen Disney World snacks you can get for...

We got stuck on Test Track in EPCOT today...in a very unusual spot!

There's a special summer deal for guests of the Sunshine Flyer! Check it out here.

We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! Find out where you'll find the...
This will join the list of disasterous decisions made by Disney, along with The Great Movie Ride and Journey Into Imagination, as huge mistakes. This retheme adds nothing to the capacity and variety of rides in the park which is too overcrowded now and could use additional attractions to spread out the load. Splash Mountain is an incredibly attractive fan favorite and a true classic attraction. Destroying this ride is crazy. Add that they are going to spend millions of dollars (?) doing this and they are removing a very popular ride that sucks in thousands of people a day who otherwise will be roaming the park looking for things to do.
Maybe they will run out of money before this even starts. It makes no sense. Add a new attraction somewhere else. How about building it on Tom Sawyer’s Island? I’m sure you can justify that too and the loss would be minimal.
What is the Executive Producer of Relevancy Activation? Sounds like a made up job to me. And why would they make an accountant an imaginer? Any guesses?
Too bad, I love the Music at Splash Mountain. Zip-pidy-do-da…down the drain they will go.
YAWN!!!
I’m from Louisiana and I’m looking forward to it. With that said I also love the way it is now.
Hopefully they’ll have a beignet kiosk!
That is my hope also, Lisa! It would be perfect!
It makes no sense to put a New Orleans themed attraction in Frontierland. I have no problem with a Princess and the Frog attraction (or restaurant) but it needs to fit the theming of the land and be new …don’t replace Splash Mountain!
Another mistake …. Gettin rid of or changing favorite rides over the past 40 -50 years……..
Is no one at Disney listening to the fans? Response to this has been almost universally negative. Leave Splash Mountain alone. Give Tiana a new ride or maybe restaurant would be more appropriate.