Splash mountain refurbishment

[umichigan10]

I have tons of nostalgia for the original ride; the music, the theme, etc. but I also understand why it’s being changed. To be honest it’s more baffling to me that they ever themed a ride with those characters at all, given the way the films been kept under wraps for most of its release time

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Just my 2 cents, I think there may be some animatronics left in the ride, and maybe a nod here or there to the old ride, I know they have done this in the past with other rethemed rides, but definitely no soundtrack

 

[ChipnDale79]

David Crockett or brother bear would have been better, more adventure related.

I will miss my zippedidodah soundtrack very much though.

yeah so now with this being themed the way it will be, i now feel like Big Thunder is out of place. It'll be smashed right between the riverboat and a ride themed off of The Princess and the Frog.

It just seems like the wrong direction with the flow of the park.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

yeah so now with this being themed the way it will be, i now feel like Big Thunder is out of place. It'll be smashed right between the riverboat and a ride themed off of The Princess and the Frog.

It just seems like the wrong direction with the flow of the park.

I don't know about that. The Riverboat makes me think of cruising the Mississippi. The Mississippi makes me think of New Orleans. Probably a better theming correlation. Not sure it's any better or worse for BTM. Fortunately, when I'm enjoying the thrill of BTM, I don't really think about it much!

 

[BrianL]

I have tons of nostalgia for the original ride; the music, the theme, etc. but I also understand why it’s being changed. To be honest it’s more baffling to me that they ever themed a ride with those characters at all, given the way the films been kept under wraps for most of its release time

At the time Splash Mountain was created, the movie wasn't quite as under-wraps as it is now. I can recall seeing it on TV in the 80's.

 

[BrianL]

yeah so now with this being themed the way it will be, i now feel like Big Thunder is out of place. It'll be smashed right between the riverboat and a ride themed off of The Princess and the Frog.

It just seems like the wrong direction with the flow of the park.

I don't know about that. The Riverboat makes me think of cruising the Mississippi. The Mississippi makes me think of New Orleans. Probably a better theming correlation. Not sure it's any better or worse for BTM. Fortunately, when I'm enjoying the thrill of BTM, I don't really think about it much!

Yeah, it really works betteer at Disneyland because of New Orleans Square being right there. While the river theme works okay at MK, the timing is off as Princess and the Frog takes place in 1912. That's why I wish they would actually do two re-themes, Tiana for DL and something else for MK. The rides are kinda different as is anyway.

 

[North of Mouse]

If someone is determined to be offended, they'll undoubtedly manage to succeed.

100% agree!

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

yeah so now with this being themed the way it will be, i now feel like Big Thunder is out of place. It'll be smashed right between the riverboat and a ride themed off of The Princess and the Frog.

It just seems like the wrong direction with the flow of the park.

That whole area is a mismatch, and has been since day one IMO, BTM is modeled after a mountain in Utah, splash mountain would have been out of well, the south, and the riverboat takes place on the Mississippi, it's always been a little disjointed, swapping a ride out of the south, for a new theme also out of the south doesn't really change much in my mind

 

[middlechild]

Can anyone chime in here with memorable moments from Princess and the Frog?

 

[bsmcneil]

Can anyone chime in here with memorable moments from Princess and the Frog?

Fireflies!

 

[BrianL]

Fireflies!

Yeah, when Ray goes to meet Evangeline - that's great stuff. I also really like Louis playing with the band. Teh early scenes in New Orleans are nice too, like the way Lottie begs her daddy for another new dress - keeping Tiana's mom in business right there!

 

[cgattis]

Can anyone chime in here with memorable moments from Princess and the Frog?

Well it’s gotten slammed here before, but the whole “friends on the other side” part is amazing. I mean folks love Ooogie’s song so idk why they think Dr. Facilier is going to drive kids to voodoo more than Oogie is gonna drive them to slide and dice their way though a casino….

I also would looove to hear Ray sing “my belle Evangeline” while the fireflies dance!!

I do love the Splash music and will miss it though.

 

[PanchoX1]

man, I have to say, I think a brother bear re-them would work much better in ether park! Both ride wise and park emersion wise. but i would guess that increasing the African American presence in the park, in a non offensive way is probably way higher on the priority list and anything else is a distant second. I'm sure, if and when they do it, most, including myself, will enjoy it well enough. I just hope they have a decent budget and don't cheap out on it.

 

[umichigan10]

At the time Splash Mountain was created, the movie wasn't quite as under-wraps as it is now. I can recall seeing it on TV in the 80's.

I think the last release of the film was in the mid 80s, so that tracks with what you’re saying. I think it’s also just how society changes in 30+ years and that includes media (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

 

[CBMom01]

Fireflies!

Yes! I love Ray!

 

[BrianL]

I think the last release of the film was in the mid 80s, so that tracks with what you’re saying. I think it’s also just how society changes in 30+ years and that includes media (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

Yeah, I mean it was around when I was a kid (80's) and it was normal to see it, or hear the songs on various sources. I don't think it started to be seen in a bad light until the 90's and Splash was already opened. They were definitely councious of some of the problematic aspects when they made splash though, so they did have some knowledge of that stuff.

 

[giantsmets]

Very clearly needed to go, Song of the South was incredibly racist, no way around that. Plus, they have a chance to retheme it after a beloved movie with amazing music that is currently left out of the FL parks. I say absolute win all around.

 

[Jwaire]

I was upset about the retheme until I actually saw the movie. Look, I grew up in the 80's. Disney was selling Brer Rabbit and Tar Baby read-a-loud books to children. It was a different world. I understand trying to be more sensitive and inclusive.

I can see some of what they're going to do. The firefly scene, the boat, Mama Odie, etc. Similar to the Little Mermaid ride, they're probably going to omit the climax with Dr. Facilier and the friends from the other side.

The only thing that concerns me is that I hope they don't just repurpose the old animamatronics and throw in one or two new ones. Tony Baxter is coming out of retirement to work on this retheme. I just hope Disney forks over the budget needed for the imagineers to get this right.

The ride makes the most sense at Disneyland. Even though Splash Mountain is technically in Critter Country, it's a stone's throw away from New Orleans Square. I don't quite get the Frontierland location for a bayou-based attraction, but I guess we will deal with it. Sight lines don't seem to be important to Disney anymore anyway.

 

[CBMom01]

Song of the South is set on a Georgia plantation. If anything, the new theme is a better fit for Frontierland

edited to add: I think the zydeco music will blend well with what’s already there

 

[Frank4202]

I agree with this video creator 100%. Ill be surprised if it ever happens