Splash Mountain is a log flume ride located at Tokyo Disneyland, and formerly at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. The now-rethemed versions of the ride at the latter two parks were based on the 1946 Disney film *Song of the South*. Riders experience an initial outdoor float-through section, followed by indoor dark ride segments. The ride culminates in a 52.5-foot drop and an indoor finale.
1946: Song of the South Release
In 1946, Disney released the film "Song of the South", which would later serve as the basis for the Splash Mountain ride.
1983: Splash Mountain Conception
Imagineer Tony Baxter conceived the idea for Splash Mountain in 1983.
1984: Naming of Splash Mountain
In 1984, the ride was named "Splash Mountain", influenced by the film "Splash", although the mermaid character was not included.
January 1987: Splash Mountain Plans Unveiled
Plans for Splash Mountain were unveiled in January 1987.
April 1988: America Sings Closure and Bear Country Rename
In April 1988, America Sings closed, and its figures were used for Splash Mountain. Bear Country was renamed Critter Country.
January 1989: Splash Mountain Opening Delayed
The opening of Splash Mountain was delayed from January 1989 due to technical issues.
July 1989: Disneyland's Splash Mountain Opens
The original Splash Mountain ride opened in Disneyland in July 1989.
July 17, 1989: Disneyland's Splash Mountain Official Opening
Splash Mountain officially opened in Disneyland on July 17, 1989.
January 14, 1990: Splash Mountain Announced for Magic Kingdom
On January 14, 1990, Disney announced plans to add Splash Mountain to Magic Kingdom.
November 1990: Photo Camera Plans
In November 1990, plans for a photo camera on the final drop were revealed.
1991: Construction Begins
Construction began for Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland in 1991.
July 17, 1992: Magic Kingdom Soft Openings
Soft openings for Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom began on July 17, 1992.
October 1992: Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Open Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain opened in Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in October 1992.
October 1992: Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Official Openings
Splash Mountain officially opened in Tokyo Disneyland on October 1, 1992, and in Magic Kingdom on October 2, 1992.
2003: Release of Splash Mountain Soundtrack on "The Official Album/Where Magic Lives"
In 2003, the soundtrack for Splash Mountain, featuring banjos and a country-western theme, was included on the Walt Disney World CD "The Official Album/Where Magic Lives". This version of the soundtrack, used in the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, differs from other official Disney albums. Notably, the Disneyland version of Splash Mountain did not use this particular soundtrack.
January 2011: Lap Bars Added
In January 2011, lap bars were added to Splash Mountain ride vehicles at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland.
2018: Ziploc Sponsorship
In 2018, Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom got a new sponsorship by Ziploc, providing plastic bags to protect riders' belongings.
June 2020: Announcement of Splash Mountain Retheme
In June 2020, Disney announced that the U.S. versions of Splash Mountain would be rethemed based on "The Princess and the Frog".
June 2020: Retheme Announcement
The retheming of Splash Mountain to Tiana's Bayou Adventure, based on "The Princess and the Frog", was announced in June 2020.
August 2021: Retheme Artwork and Details Revealed
In August 2021, new artwork and details about the retheme were revealed.
July 2022: New Ride Name Announced
The new ride's name, "Tiana's Bayou Adventure", was announced in July 2022.
August 31, 2022: "Get Wet MAX" Event Ends
The "Get Wet MAX" event at Tokyo Disneyland's Splash Mountain concluded on August 31, 2022.
December 2022: Magic Kingdom Closure Date and New Artwork
New artwork was unveiled, and the Magic Kingdom version's closure date was announced in December 2022.
January 23, 2023: Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain Closes
The Splash Mountain ride at Magic Kingdom closed on January 23, 2023.
April 2023: Disneyland Closure Date and Animatronics Announcement
The Disneyland version's closure date and the inclusion of new animatronics were announced in April 2023.
May 31, 2023: Disneyland's Splash Mountain Closes
The Splash Mountain ride at Disneyland closed on May 31, 2023.