Splash Mountain is one of the most popular Disney World rides, it is located in the Magic Kingdom in Frontierland. I am going to share Splash Mountain tips and some fun trivia including how to introduce your kids to Br’er Rabbit without the Song of the South movie.
We don’t have an official timeline yet, but today (November 16, 2020) we did get an important update! According to IAAPA, during today’s presentation, Josh D’Amaro noted that certain guest-facing changes, “like the reimagining of ‘Splash Mountain,’ have been expedited to ensure that all who visit the company’s parks do feel welcome as well.”
We’re not sure exactly when this re-theming will start taking place yet, but we will definitely keep an eye out for more updates so you know when you’ll be able to float on down the bayou with Tiana and her friends.
Splash Mountain is closing on January 23, 2023, to make the transition to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
All About Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain opened up in Frontierland on July 17th, 1992, exactly 3 years after Disneyland’s version opened.
Splash Mountain tells the story of Br’er Rabbit, who goes off in search of adventure and finds it along with hungry Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear. The ride takes you on a little over a half-mile adventure splashing through swamps, caves, and backwoods bayous before climaxing in a five-story plunge and Br’er Rabbit’s triumphant return home.
What to Expect Thrill Wise: Throughout the 11-minute ride, you will encounter 3 lifts and 5 drops, most of them are mild except for the last big Splash Mountain 5 story drop. The 45-degree drop takes your breath away but the view right before the drop is amazing!
- Genie+ Available: Yes
- Height Requirement: 40 inches
- Open during morning Extra Magic Hours: No
- Open during evening Extra Magic Hours: Yes
- Plus Size Friendly: Yes
- Ride Photo: Yes
- Single Rider Line: No
- Best Time to Ride Without a Lightning Lane: Early Morning, during Fireworks, or Close to Closing
- Wheelchairs & ECVs: Must be able to transfer to ride vehicle
Splash Mountain Tips
They Don’t Call It Splash for Nothing. You will get wet. Here are some ideas to make the process less bothersome.
- Ponchos. Yes, I have seen lots of people wear ponchos. Honestly, I am not one of those people. I wanna get wet in the hot Florida heat.
- Ziploc Baggies. If your phone or camera is not waterproof, then I would bring along a couple of Ziploc bags to put your phone in. You could also bring an extra shirt, shorts, and or socks to change into and store them in a Ziploc bag.
- Have Someone Hold Your Bags. If you have someone who is not riding this ride then have them hold your bags so you don’t have to worry about them getting wet.
- Wear Sandals. Wear Tevas or some other type of waterproof sandal, and change back to regular shoes after the ride.
- Just Let It Go. Enjoy getting wet and then stand in the sun for a few minutes and dry off.
Introduce Your Kids to Br’er Rabbit. Since Song of the South has been taken off the shelves and been hidden by Disney you can’t watch it easily. Instead, look for the Adventures of Br’er Rabbit on Amazon. I have watched it even though it is intended for kids. It is not a Disney film but still very enjoyable!
Take a Break. There is a lot of seating around Splash Mountain and even a little shaded play area for kids. This is will give you a chance to dry out and cool down a little bit.
Pick Your Seat. You can politely ask a Cast Member for a specific seat and more than likely they will grant your request. If you ride in the front seat, you almost certainly will get wet. Riders elsewhere get splashed but are usually not doused.
Prep Your Kids for the Ride. Some kids, and adults (ok, me) kind of freak out seeing the big drop. Watch a ride through POV video to help prepare them for how the ride is.
Look for the Splash Mountain Hidden Mickey. A Hidden Mickey enjoys a lazy day on the river in the final scene in Frontierland’s Splash Mountain. A pink cloud floating high above the Zip-A-Dee Lady paddlewheeler bears a striking resemblance to a profile of Mickey lying on his back.
Splash Mountain Fun Facts
The Ride Almost Had a Different Name. When the first Splash Mountain was being imagineered at Disneyland, it was slated to be called Zip-a-Dee River Run. According to Disney historians, Michael Eisner, then CEO of The Walt Disney Company, suggested the name be changed to Splash Mountain to help promote everyone’s second-favorite mermaid film, Splash.
There are 3 Disney Songs in the Ride. Everyone knows the ‘Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah’ song but there is also ‘How Do You Do?’ and ‘Everybody’s Got a Laughin’ Place’ from Song of the South.
How Fast is the Drop and the the Magic Kingdom? At the top of this third lift hill, the log descends the 52.5-foot (15 m) drop at a 45-degree angle, reaching a maximum speed of 40 mph.
The climax of Splash Mountain at all three parks is the precipitous drop and splashdown representing Br’er Rabbit being flung into the briar patch by Br’er Fox. The drop is 52.5 feet in both Disneyland and Disney World, while Tokyo Disneyland guests drop a full 60 feet. The angle of the drop is between 45 and 47 degrees and the logs can drop as fast as 40 miles per hour.
Br’er Rabbit May Sound Familiar if You Liked Animaniacs. Wakko and Br’er rabbit share a voice and that voice is Jess Harnell, the voice actor who plays Wakko Warner on ‘Animaniacs.
Splash Mountain Getting a Princess and the Frog Makeover
The Imagineers at Disney announced summer 2020 that the Splash Mountain ride at both Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida will be redesigned to feature characters from its animated movie “The Princess and the Frog.”
Charita Carter, the senior creative producer who recently worked on Disney’s new attraction Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, is leading the project.
Is Splash Mountain one of your favorite rides? Are you excited about the change to Princess and the Frog? Let me know in the comments.
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