We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
If you’re a fan of Disney World, one attraction that has been around for decades is Splash Mountain. This beloved ride has been thrilling visitors since it opened in 1992 and continued to be a popular destination for fans young and old until it closed its doors on January 23rd, 2023
Let’s take a look back at the history of this classic attraction!
Splash Mountain was first conceptualized by Imagineer Tony Baxter in the late 1980s as an adaptation of the 1946 Disney movie “Song of The South”. While some of the original ideas were scrapped, Baxter was able to create a flume ride with animatronic figures and elaborate sets. The ride officially opened in 1992 and quickly became a massive hit with guests.
The idea behind Splash Mountain was to create an immersive experience for guests where they could feel like they were really part of the story from “Song Of The South”. To accomplish this, Baxter and his team created detailed sets featuring characters from the movie, including Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear. Throughout the ride, guests are treated to catchy songs and amusing dialogue from these lovable characters as they journey down their own path towards the finale drop into churning waters below.
The finale drop is what makes Splash Mountain so memorable. Guests plunge over 50 feet into a pool below, creating an exhilarating rush that can last up to 4 seconds! And while there have been some minor changes to the ride since it first opened – such as new animatronics – its overall structure remains much like it did in 1992.
Since its opening day in 1992, Splash Mountain has become one of the most beloved attractions at Disney World. There are now several versions of Splash Mountain located across different theme parks around the world including Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. In fact, Splash Mountain is so popular that it has been named one of the top 25 water rides in amusement parks by USA Today!
The ride officially opened at Disneyland Park in California on July 17th, 1989 under the name “Splash Mountain.” In 1992, Disney World got its own version of the ride which featured some minor tweaks from the original design such as a longer track length and more detailed theming throughout. This version also included a few additional drops and turns that were not present in Disneyland’s version of the ride.
Over time this beloved ride has remained largely unchanged but continues to delight guests with its beautiful scenery and catchy tunes like “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” which can be heard throughout the attraction. It is also one of Disney World’s most popular rides; it often had long wait times due to its popularity among parkgoers!
Splash Mountain is one of those attractions that has truly stood the test of time at Disney World; it’s been thrilling guests for nearly 30 years! From its immersive storyline to its thrilling finale drop, Splash Mountain is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!
So, there we have it some fun facts about one of Disney’s most iconic rides and while a lot of us are sad that this ride has closed we should be equally excited about what Disney has in stock for us all.
The great news is that it is having a refurb and a new ride with be unveiled in 2024. If I say look out for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and check back in with me for updates.
Remember the magic is inside us all.
