Category Archives: Splash Mountain

News related to Splash Mountain at any of Disney’s theme parks.

Disneyland Splash Mountain Officially Closed

Following the closure of Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain on January 23, Disneyland closed the doors on the original Splash Mountain ride yesterday, May 31.

The ride will be re-themed as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”, based upon the characters from Disney’s 2009 film The Princess and The Frog. It is currently scheduled to re-open in 2024.

In 2019, a petition was opened by Alex O. to re-theme Splash Mountain to “remove all traces of this racist movie”, and after 20,000 signatures, Disney agreed to it. Meanwhile, a petition to Save Splash Mountain opened by Eric Thibeault garnered over 80,000 signatures, but predictably fell upon deaf mouse ears.

Disneyland’s Splash Mountain was the first of three locations opened in 1989, followed by WDW and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992. Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain is now the last surviving location, and at least for now it seems to be safe from a “reimagining”.

1992 Press photo from WDW’s Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain Closing January 2023; Bob Iger Returns as Disney CEO

Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and all the other characters of the beloved Splash Mountain ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World are taking their final bows: it has been announced that Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain as we know it will be closing forever on January 23, 2023.

At that time, it will be under an extended closure for re-theming the ride as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”, based upon the characters from Disney’s 2009 film The Princess and The Frog.

The iconic ride opened in 1989 in Disneyland, and in 1992 at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland. It is unknown at this time if Tokyo Disneyland will also be rethemed or will remain as is, but no announcements have been made that I’m aware of.

In 2019, a petition was opened by Alex O. to re-theme Splash Mountain to “remove all traces of this racist movie”, and after 20,000 signatures, Disney agreed to it. Meanwhile, a petition to Save Splash Mountain opened by Eric Thibeault garnered over 80,000 signatures, but predictably fell upon deaf mouse ears.

In other news, Bob Iger unexpectedly returned in November as Disney CEO to replace Bob Chapek, who was originally his successor in 2020. Both Bobs have been outspoken in their opposition to releasing Song of the South (even with disclaimers) to the public, so it’s unlikely this move will have any effect on the film remaining buried.

Disney Removes “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” from Theme Park Music

The Academy Award-winning song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”, the best known song from Walt Disney’s “Song of the South”, is quietly being removed from Disney theme parks music loops, including Downtown Disney and The Esplande. The song was originally played between the medley from “Frozen” and The Ballad of Davy Crockett.

According to an article by Brady MacDonald of The OC Register, Disney has released a statement regarding the removal:

The removal of the song from Downtown Disney’s background music is part of a continuous process to deliver an environment that features stories that are relevant and inclusive.

Source: https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/disney-issues-statement-regarding-removal-of-splash-mountains-zip-a-dee-doo-dah-from-disneyland-resort-music-loops/

Disneyland has also reportedly removed two references to Song of the South from its Splash Mountain page. This would not be the first time that Disney has removed references from its web sites — several additional dead links from over the years can be found on the Song of the South Links page. I have kept them there for posterity.

Thank you to long-time follower Steve for the news report!

Disney Plans to “Completely Reimagine” Splash Mountain

On June 10, it was reported that some Disney fans were petitioning Disney to re-theme Splash Mountain to a ride based on The Princess and the Frog instead, and remove all traces of Song of the South due to its “racist” content. Song of the South was last released theatrically in the United States in 1986, a few years before Splash Mountain’s grand opening at Disneyland in 1989. The ride proved so popular that 2 additional locations at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland were opened in 1992.

Today, the Disney Parks Twitter account has tweeted the following:

“We’re thrilled to share Splash Mountain at @Disneyland & @WaltDisneyWorld will be completely reimagined with a new story inspired by an all-time favorite @DisneyAnimation film, “The Princess and the Frog.” Learn about what Imagineers have in development: https://bit.ly/3hUY0Gq“

The petition to re-theme Splash Mountain to The Princess and the Frog had gained 21,383 signatures before “declaring victory” (no more signatures can be added).

Meanwhile, a counter-petition “To Save Splash Mountain and keep it as it is in Magic Kingdom and Disneyland” has garnered over 40,000 signatures so far.

So far there have not been any mention of plans to re-theme the third Splash Mountain location at Tokyo Disneyland.

Some Disney Fans Petitioning for Splash Mountain Re-Theme

A CNN article published today reports that some Disney fans want to re-theme Splash Mountain to a ride based on “The Princess and the Frog” instead, and remove all traces of Song of the South, the film which has been “widely considered the studio’s most racist.” Song of the South was last released theatrically in 1986, a few years before Splash Mountain’s 1989 grand opening. Song of the South has never been made available in the U.S. despite being sold by Disney worldwide until 2001. Today, it remains unavailable, and Disney has made it clear they have no plans to make it available on Disney’s new streaming movie service, Disney+.

Splash Mountain is the popular theme park ride loosely based on Song of the South’s animated sequences, which in turn were based on the tales of Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris. The ride features Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear, and other repurposed animatronics from the defunct America Sings attraction. The ride has locations at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland, and remains one of the park’s most popular attractions. “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”, the Academy Award winning song from Song of the South, is the centerpiece of the ride’s finale.

One such individual, Alex O, has started a petition to retheme Splash Mountain. At the time of writing this article, it has so far received over 2,800 signatures. At this rate, it will quickly surpass the petition to release Song of the South on Disney+.

Provost Park Pass Interviews Splash Mountain Voice Actor Jess Harnell

On November 6, Provost Park Pass published on YouTube a behind-the-scenes interview at Disneyland with one of my personal favorite celebrity voice actors: Jess Harnell! Jess is the talented voice behind many, many childhood memories, including Wakko Warner from the Animaniacs, Roger Rabbit, and several voices on Splash Mountain, including Brer Rabbit:

If you’re also a Jess Harnell fan, be sure to check out the Twisted Toonz YouTube channel to see Jess hilariously perform alongside other prominent voice actors including Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, Jim Cummings, Rob Paulsen, and many more. I’ve gotta say, there’s nothing quite as amusing as hearing Darth Vader lines being delivered by Winnie The Pooh (courtesy of Jim Cummings)! And while I know this isn’t Song of the South related, I was also very excited to hear that the Animaniacs will be rebooted next year on Hulu, and all the original voice actors above will be returning as well. It’s simply not the Animaniacs without them!

Special thanks to Philip Kippel for sharing a link to the video on our Song of the South Facebook page, and thanks to Provost Park Pass and Jess Harnell for the great feature!

Disney Selling New Splash Mountain Merchandise

Topher Wallace of WDW News Today has reported that Disney has started selling new Splash Mountain merchandise in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, including:

  • T-Shirt featuring Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, Mr. Bluebird, Brer Frog, and the Boothill Boys (Brer Buzzards). Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit, and Mr. Bluebird are singing, while Brer Frog plays the harmonica and Brer Fox plugs his ears in disdain. Priced at $24.99.
  • Beach Towel featuring the same graphics as above, priced at $26.99.
  • T-Shirt featuring “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” in script and a Splash Mountain logo in the corner. Priced at $32.99.
  • “Everything is Satisfactual” Tank Top priced at $24.99.
  • Brer Rabbit Plush Stuffed Animal (new design), priced at $19.99.

The new items are being sold in Walt Disney World, and presumably in Disneyland and possibly Tokyo Disneyland as well (though this is currently unconfirmed). If anyone can confirm the other two locations are selling these new items as well, please let me know and I’ll update this article. Thanks!

In WDW, the new merchandise is being sold at Splashdown Photos. Originally, Splash Mountain merchandise was sold in the Briar Patch shops adjacent to the rides, but lately merchandise has been moved to the area where photos from the ride are picked up (Professor Barnaby Owl’s Photographic Art Studio in Disneyland, and Splashdown Photos in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland). I presume this was done both to maximize sales and because Splash Mountain merchandise has seemingly lessened over the years, no longer requiring as much space.

For photos of the new merchandise, head on over to WDW News Today. Thanks to Philip Kippel for sharing this on our Song of the South Facebook page!

Disney Releases Splash Mountain Tsum Tsum Plush Toys

Disney has recently released the Splash Mountain Tsum Plush Collection featuring characters from Splash Mountain (and Song of the South). Each plush is priced at $5.99 and measures 3 1/2″, limit 5 per character. In the collection is Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, Mr. Bluebird, Sis Possum (first ever as a plush), and one of the Boothill Boys (“Vulture Undertaker”). This is one of the first Splash Mountain plush collections to be released by Disney in many years. The last notable example was the Splash Mountain “Beanie Babies” of the 1990’s.

They are available to purchase at the Disney Store. Details for each TsumTsum can be found below. Special thanks to Nike Fleming for the news report!

Br’er Rabbit

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!
Find your Laughing Place along with Br’er Rabbit and a mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with floppy ears and fluffy tail
  • 70th Anniversary – Br’er Rabbit made his screen debut in Walt Disney’s Song of the South on November 12, 1946
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

Br’er Bear

Knockout!
Find your Laughing Place along with Br’er Bear and a mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with felt hat, plush ears, tail, and furry tuft
  • 70th Anniversary – Br’er Bear made his screen debut in Walt Disney’s Song of the South on November 12, 1946
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

Br’er Fox

Capture your heart
Find your Laughing Place along with Br’er Fox and a mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with foam hat, furry tufts and tail
  • 70th Anniversary – Br’er Fox made his screen debut in Walt Disney’s Song of the South on November 12, 1946
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

Mr. Bluebird

On your shoulder
Find your Laughing Place along with Mr. Bluebird and a mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with felt hat
  • Foam cane, wings and tailfeathers
  • 70th Anniversary – Mr. Bluebird made his screen debut in Walt Disney’s Song of the South on November 12, 1946
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

Sis Possum

How Do You Do?
Find your Laughing Place along with Sis Possum and a mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountainattraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with felt bow and skirt
  • Plush embroidered tail
  • 70th Anniversary – Sis Possum made her screen debut in Walt Disney’s Song of the South on November 12, 1946
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

Vulture Undertaker

Boothill boy
The Vulture Undertaker can never be a buzzkill for this mighty satisfactual collection of Mini ”Tsum Tsum” Plush critters from our classic Splash Mountainattraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each sold separately.

  • Mini ”Tsum Tsum” plush
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft, squeezable fill with beans in belly
  • Fuzzy plush texturing
  • Plussed with felt hat, feathery beard, and foam wings
  • The Vulture Undertaker was originally featured as one of the ”Boothill Boys” in America Sings at Disneyland from 1974 to 1988
  • Splash Mountain first opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1989 and at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992
  • Part of our Splash Mountain ”Tsum Tsum” Plush Collection, each sold separately
  • Polyester / polyethylene pellets
  • 3 1/2” L
  • Imported

“What’s the Attraction?” Reviews Song of the South

Last month, “What’s the Attraction?” reviewed Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain, the popular attraction based on Disney’s Song of the South. The podcast, posted in two parts, talks about the history of the ride, a descriptive ridethrough, critical analysis, and even some background on Song of the South itself.

This month, by popular request, “What’s the Attraction?” is back to discuss the movie itself! Creators SurferClock and TAP-G have posted their first “Theme Park Reel-View”:

In this inaugural segment, we take a look at the 1946 film, Song of the South, discussing its story, music, characters, and animation before giving a final overall review and rating. Peppered in are nuggets of knowledge both widely-known and rather obscure, and we also discuss some of the elements keeping it from a re-release. Is this film really -that- offensive? And what do SurferClock and TAP-G think of it? Find out by tuning in!

So, what are you waiting for? Have a listen! http://youtu.be/INBy7DrY-vI

Special thanks to Kyle Blanchette for the news report, and to SurferClock and TAP-G for making the review!

“What’s the Attraction?” Podcast Reviews Splash Mountain

“What’s the Attraction?” is a weekly podcast dedicated to reviewing theme park attractions in the central Florida area. Creators SurferClock and TAP-G have recently posted Episodes 55 and 56, reviewing the ever-popular Walt Disney World theme park ride Splash Mountain. As you probably know, Splash Mountain is based on Walt Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South.

The two-part podcast is both informative and fun, going over the history of the ride, descriptive walkthrough, critical analysis, and even some background on Song of the South itself. With special guests Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Uncle Remus, the review is interwoven with a story in true radio show fashion. The character impressions are spot-on, and I found the review to be very entertaining!

Even if you may know everything there is to know about Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain, I would highly recommend listening to the podcasts if just for the unique story and how it’s presented. Special thanks to Kyle Blanchette for letting me know about these podcasts, and to SurferClock and TAP-G for their hard work that went into making these. Keep up the great work!

You can read about the latest reviews from “What’s the Attraction?” on Blogspot, like them on Facebook, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.