4 Ways Magic Kingdom Has Already CHANGED Since Splash Mountain's Closure

It may be a WHILE before we see the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World (won’t open until late 2024!), but Disney is not wasting any time when it comes to this major transformation.

Construction Walls Are UP

Splash Mountain’s last day of operation was January 22nd, 2023. The ride is now officially CLOSED as it gets overhauled into a Princess and the Frog-themed ride. And Disney has moved swiftly to remove mentions of the ride in other attractions and change other things in the park. Let’s go through it all here!

Map

On January 23rd, 2023, immediately following Splash Mountain’s last day, a NEW park map debuted in Magic Kingdom.

Look closely! A Disney princess is NEW to the Magic Kingdom park map! pic.twitter.com/cy9bMFv4MC

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 23, 2023

The map no longer shows Splash Mountain, but instead has a designation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Updated Frontierland!

The map shows that the ride’s expected opening date is 2024.

Click here for more photos of the map!

Construction

But that’s not all! Construction is already underway in the area now that Splash Mountain has officially closed.

Over in Frontierland today, a MUCH different view than yesterday. The water has been drained and construction walls are up around Splash Mountain. pic.twitter.com/65jtFHLZUB

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 23, 2023

Near the outside and front entrance of the attraction, construction walls are UP, though the sign for the ride and some statues of the characters remain (for now).

Construction Walls Are UP

Here’s another look at the entrance area.

Here’s another look at #SplashMountain, how it sits today. pic.twitter.com/SHcgxTu3oH

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 23, 2023

You’ll also find some scrim and signs of construction in the back area of the ride (near an exposed portion of the queue).

Some Construction Going On Back Here

Some of the water from the ride is already being drained as well.

Some Water Drained

And certain Frontierland signage that formerly featured Splash Mountain on it has also been updated.

Splash Mountain is Gone!

Disney has made QUICK work of some of these spaces, but if you’re looking for a last-minute Splash Mountain souvenir, move fast.

Wait…These Are Still There?

We did find some souvenir coin machines still available with Splash Mountain designs by the restrooms and the play area near Splash Mountain.

Grab Them While You Can!

It’s unclear how long these will stick around so snatch them up while you can!

Liberty Square Riverboat Changes

But it’s not just the immediate area around Splash Mountain that has been affected. On the Liberty Square Riverboat, the narration related to Splash Mountain has been completely removed.

Back in Magic Kingdom, if you’ve ever ridden the Liberty Square Riverboat, you’ve probably heard the Splash Mountain narration. Today, that too has been removed. pic.twitter.com/glSqvEISmE

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 23, 2023

Instead, you’ll sail with a bit of silence in that area for now. We’ll be interested to see how/if this gets updated with some kind of mention about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the future. Stay tuned for updates.

Walt Disney World Railroad Changes

And there’s MORE. At the Walt Disney World Railroad (which reopened at the end of 2022), there has been a change. The narration features a small portion that talks about “new critters” moving in to make a splash. It advises guests to take a listen, because “we’re almost there.”

“We’re almost there”, a small note has been added to the Walt Disney Railroad narration when coming up on Frontierland! pic.twitter.com/MV8FlQ2eXO

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 23, 2023

This appears to be a reference to Tiana and her friends (including some new characters) coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with a reference to the song “Almost There” that is sung in The Princess and the Frog.

And that’s a look at all of the changes that have been made in Magic Kingdom (so far) as this major ride transformation takes place.