The Complete History of Splash Mountain

[@WDWNT]

Which park built the best version of Splash Mountain?

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Disney world definitely because it was opened here at the magic kingdom In 1992 2002 was the 10th year 2012 was the 20th year and last year being the 30th year and now after 31 years in operations it’s coming to an end

[@kellywaldron9485]

DisneyWorld, there is no comparison. I Rode both in 2022 and wow what a difference

[@traciecombs7030]

It seems the story behind Tokyo Disney's ride is less controversial... but the animatronics at WDW were just magical. I truly hope some of our favorites reappear in the new version!

[@sarahmcclellan8156]

Disney World’s version is best. I found the Disneyland one too dark and we got completely soaked! No fun to walk around a theme park wet to our underwear after riding it. We had to walk back to our hotel immediately after to change clothes. Thank goodness our hotel was on the next block. Imagine having to go back to your resort at WDW! It would take forever! I was also disappointed in how dark the interior of the mountain is at DLR.

[@DavidVitrano]

Disney worlds

[@billybatson22]

This would make a spectacular documentary on Disney+ but since that will NEVER happen, this is spectacular to have forever.

[@newclothes8165]

Just make sure the include the part about having the critters look as black slaves as the original plans had.

[@badfrostbyte6171]

@@newclothes8165weirdo

[@Jehehehejejjewjwj]

@@newclothes8165 dog what? U got proof

[@newclothes8165]

@@Jehehehejejjewjwj "No Place that Far:" Splash Mountain's Plantation Preservation is an original work by Landon Funk and dives into one of Disney's largest cover-ups. Furthermore, it argues how the ride Splash Mountain is one of the few remaining vestiges of antebellum plantation thought. Going from the use of water, the placement of the ride within each park, and the film and short stories on which it is based, "No Place that Far" questions one of the most successful Disney Park rides and brings attention to the inherent racism associated with it.

[@BrandonBowditch]

@@newclothes8165 Just looked it up. I don’t consider the book you mentioned to be written by a reputable or unbiased author: a white woman who teaches African American studies in Los Angeles. People that teach ethnic studies of any kind should never be taken seriously when speaking about these subjects. I feel the same way about religious conservatives who see anything that veers from their narrow worldview as “woke propaganda”. Always be skeptical of books and documentaries from biased sources. Chances have it you’re being lied to, or not given the full truth.

[@sterospa]

I think it’s sad this is going away. This was so amazing the first time I went through as a young person.

[@Ronaldl2350]

Sadly a end of an era. Not only was it a great ride. It told a great story from beginning to end. Optimistic for what Tom said at the end about the retheme.

[@CWILDESC]

Bravo! Since I work as a freelance journalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - the same newspaper where Uncle Remus author Joel Chandler Harris was an editor and an editorial columnist for The Atlanta Constitution, I am gratified to know of his great opposition to slavery and racism in favor of reconciliation between the races. As you may know, he learned those stories of African American animal tales from three elderly slaves when he was a teen, working for the plantation owner at his newspaper. Joel Chandler Harris' intention was to preserve those stories for which he received recognition by President Theodore Roosevelt.

[@theerdman]

Hi Missus C! My name is Bryan. I work for WDWNT and I edited this video. I worked at Cox Media Group for 15 years before this job and I spent half that time in Atlanta. I worked in the AJC building for almost a year before they moved us to WSB. Small world, no?

[@Boydster519]

So many happy memories... we went to Disney World in 2011 when I was sick with blood cancer... this was by far my most favourite ride. Seeing photos over the years of our kids growing up. I like what the announcer said about two things being true... maybe it was time to update this ride, but it was one of the best at it's time. Thanks for this... we went on it at least 25 times over the years... blessings from Canada.

[@jeffreybruce400]

That was a lot of work guys, good job! Well said. I remember watching it being built and imagining what it was going to be like. It was always a tradition to make it either the 1st or one of the 1st rides we would go on. I'm gonna miss it.

[@squidward_tortelllini]

Rest in peace Splash 💙💙

[@chasitymoss4588]

Thank you so much for making this mini documentary. What an incredible tribute to an absolutely adored ride. I will never forget Splash Mountain. I remember when it opened in MK. The clip at the end though 😭 had me in tears. Thank you Tom and your team. Beautiful job. ❤️

[@bjvincent8786]

Thank you for this making this incredible video. Seeing the history of Splash Mountain really makes me miss seeing more of your Timekeeping series like the Chronological History of Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World video series you have done. There was a real sense of community and I also got a little emotional when I saw KZbin videos that have showed everyone cheering as the last riders came down and when the cast members got their last ride. It was also cool to see people waving their phones and then waiting to applaud the cast members as they left their last shift.

[@TheFoxFromSplashMountain]

Removing Splash Mountain on both coasts will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of the Disney Parks. Period. There was absolutely no excuse to ruin such a beloved classic. Tiana could have easily been given her own original attraction, but they actively chose to destroy something that was already perfect.

[@rickpontificates3406]

They should have left Splash Mountain ALONE and instead, fixed Tomorrowland. The ambiguously underused Carousel Theater and abandoned Peoplemover track don't look good.

[@timgriffin639]

Disney's priorities are all kinds of screwed up. To your point - why does Star Tours still exist in Tomorrowland? You literally have an entire Star Wars themed land in the park now, lol.

[@rickpontificates3406]

@@timgriffin639 Star Tours is old, true, but at least it's functional and still somewhat popular. The submarines are very unpopular, autopia is still kind of a novelty for kids who don't drive. The magic eye theatre is defunct. Space Mountain is the only major attraction that people never get tired of in Tomorrowland

[@cooperrecob6279]

I’m going to miss this ride

[@Cuban_Superman]

What an absolutely beautiful tribute to Splash Mountain this video is. You guys are amazing.

[@shonuffharlem]

This is a great review. Love the in-depth descriptions. PLEASE do this for other rides!

[@ZebraLens]

Look up _WDWNT Back to the Future_ They've done an excellent in-depth history of several attractions/shows so far. 😃🔥🔥🔥

[@michellehammer6699]

Tom,what a wonderful presentation, thankyou for honoring Splash Mountain for the great ride it is!! I can't help but smile everytime I think of those beloved characters 😁❤️Here's hoping we always have that wonderful song in our hearts each & everyday🤗

[@HerrDeutschBlood]

The ride was almost as old as I am. Every time my family went to the Magic Kingdom, it was a must do. I’m really sad to see it go but I guess I can always go to Tokyo Disneyland to experience it once more.

[@disneyfan5584]

I'm going to miss this ride so very much. Thank you folks for making this documentary.

[@n8nawesome]

It's like timekeeping all over again! This time with splash mountain!

[@outatime8560]

Great video. I’m still sad it’s gone but now I have even more of a reason to visit Tokyo Disneyland

[@gryffen9608]

I was fortunate to ride this once back in 1994. It's a treasured memory. I was a poor student at the time, so I didn't even have the money to buy the photo. Back then Disney World allowed people to bring in their own lunches, so that's how I ate that day. I took additional satisfaction in know that Brer Rabbit stories were transliteration of the old tribal tales still told by the Wuluf, Dinka, and the Maasai. I could understand if Disney Company said they were retheming Splash Mountain to the Frog Princess because they wanted something more modern. I wouldn't like it, but I could understand. But to use the false claim that this is "racist"? I'm disgusted. Thank you WDW for creating this and posting this up. I hope it's never taken down. I wish I could buy a copy of this, if I could.

[@michaelsiebielec5554]

It's an atrocity that Disney is going to trash this classic attraction in service of another princess meet and greet and downgrading most of the animatronics to screens. I'm devastated. There never was anything offensive here.

[@Paul-ew5st]

I agree with a preference for animatronics but if it's up to the level of Mickey and Minnie's ride I'll be happy.

[@realestateunplugged6129]

Yeah, I don't get the offensive part. So a super kind and cheery older man sings a song with a friendly blue bird and the kids really like to play with their neighbor. I had a neighbor who was like this, the guy was super fun and would shoot wayer canons at us when we we're kids. I hope Splash ends up pleasantly surprising our current disappointment. Princess and the Frog has some really nice tunes and is set in New Orleans and the swamps so, at least it has potential.

[@andrewnelson1511]

I'm upset that splash mountain 🏔️ closed and it was my favorite ride I will always remember my favorite Disney characters in Spanish mountain and the classic movie song of the south I be been to Georgia and seen the uncle Remus museum and learn about the story of song of the south its part of Georgia history and America folk tales

[@imonislandtime]

my god, you guys are legends. with all the content you put out weekly, you still found time to make this. this is an INCREDIBLE amount of work. i feel better having learned this information, but now i'm even more disappointed that the ride is gone

[@BlackDragon8624]

I have been to Disney World several times but I never rode Splash Mountain (as I am not a fan of heights). This past month on my most recent trip I decided to try it because I wanted to see it before it was gone. Now I regret never riding it before. It was a beautiful ride and was fun. I am sad I didn't try it before. I will make sure to try it on my next trip.

[@dietz4052]

What an informative video! I was lucky to ride Splash in Florida one week before it closed, and make final memories from the front seat! Thanks, Tom for this great tribute!

[@laurynnnsmith]

This is amazing. I'm going to miss this ride so much and I have a feeling I'm going to watch this multiple times these next few years

[@michaelgrzesik9772]

Thank you WDWNT for making this documentary. I am so sad Splash Mountain is gone forever. 😔 😥. It was so emotional on the closing day. I think of a lot of memories going on the ride. 😊 😁 😀 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@cowboib4680]

Closing this attraction is another HUGE mistake by Disney! The new version wont be near as high quality of an attraction and this wont be eating up near as many of the crowd. Mark it down.

[@mikecurley50]

I think it was needed after they said stuff about it. If they had not addressed the insensitivity of the ride, it would have been allowed to stay open. As soon as it was addressed it became a big problem.

[@bostonbobby12]

It’s Disney, they will likely destroy this ride just like Journey Into Imagination and Horizons.

[@KeatonWilliamsonGuy]

Thank you so much for this video. It is a ride that won’t leave Disney fans memory’s for a long time. It is truly a classic and Disneyland style park staple. Though I’m immensely sad (and even a bit angry) that Disney is closing this beloved classic, I did enjoy your ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ end to the video. Here is to a hopeful future for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

[@chiefleif637]

This is beautiful, Tom! Thank you so much for giving Splash the proper send off it deserves!

[@Sam4G0d]

What a beautiful tribute to a beloved ride

[@olafpamela]

What a beautiful put together history of this ride👍❤️😊 Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@WDWNT]

Thanks for watching

[@nickn271]

Splash Mountain should have never been changed. It was too beloved of a ride. Good on Japan for rejecting the change.

[@ShaferScott]

Excellent docuseries WDW! 👍🔥

[@nanasilas7878]

Thank you for this! Brought tears to my eyes 😢

[@drsandy842]

I don’t think anybody will be able to replicate what SPLASH MOUNTAIN brought to DISNEYWORLD. It was my whole reason for going to ride it repeatedly on the days I was there. Nothing like looking out on the castle at night on that final drop. I just wish they would of thought more of the boys who go because it was an unisex ride. I think princesses belong in fantasyland. I wish they would have left SPLASH alone and replaced or built it over in that direction. Still excited to see what they come up with even though my boys are disappointed. At the end 3 or more boats came down with staff riding in them to thunderous applause! The park closed at 10pm but the line still stretched to Country Bears I cried watching the last day. Somebody was there and the energy was palpable thru the screen! RIP SPLASH MOUNTAIN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED!!!!!!!

[@drsandy842]

And you guys did an awesome job of showing the whole ride I really appreciate the time you put into it!

[@kenk910]

Absolutely wonderful video. Thanks for preserving history WDWNT!

[@nels8302]

As silly as it may sound, it really was an emotional Sunday evening riding the attraction one last time. 😭

[@krishanamcreynolds9724]

Thank you so much for making this video. Splash Mountain was my absolute favorite ride at Disney World and this video is a beautiful tribute to it. This means so much to me.

[@daviddavids23]

Thank you for making this video.

[@erniemorris3978]

Absolutely, incredibly, well done, and Tom’s closing thoughts are words to live by. Maybe Tom should be writing, directing, and producing all of Disney’s future film productions.

[@jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjja]

what a take

[@stephanieg9089]

Thank you so much for this and all the research you did!! I just love this ride and it’s such an iconic trademark of Disney. I typically go to Disneyland and I had no idea there were so many differences between the two. I really like that the Disney world version has such a interactive ride queue. This ride will forever be remembered.

[@traydragen]

I've ridden the WDW version since it opened and never captured the story of the ride, I was always just mesmerized the entire time I rode it. Thanks for providing some context!

[@68spc]

Tom, please do more of these for all the rides. I know other channels have covered this subject but I like your delivery of the info.

[@zekeholloway4413]

splash mountain will always have a special place in my heart!

[@philipgrasso6255]

One of your best videos! Loved the in-depth details and impartial commentary.

[@parkerpowers2841]

Amazing. Thank you so much for putting this together. What a great explanation of this ride and the history behind it. Thank you!

[@denisemiller3271]

I was there that day the day I was going to cry an ocean I remember the cheer fest I remember the 240 minute wait line I even remember the hour wait for pennies. I was one of the luckiest people ever to be in a Disney theme park. I was at Hollywood Studios and made to MK at 3:00 p.m I got to ride the ride 3 times and every time the cheering tripled, when the last log went down the 52.5 foot drop for the last time at 12:36 a.m. I was walking down main street USA. It was technically my 10th birthday when the last log dropped on January 23 2023 I was never so sad, lucky, and excited In my life. Every single second of the there ride back to back marathon especially the drop was different in every way imagineable. I will never forget those two days of my life. Thank you for showing the history of splash mountain and thank you splash mountain for entertaining us for the last 31 years.

[@Texaslawhorn]

Long may Splash live in Tokyo!

[@CastawayRJ]

Nice! I first rode Splash Mountain back in 2015, and it became one of my favourite attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Now, I have a reason to spend less time at the Magic Kingdom with Splash Mountain being re-themed. I’m expecting a Journey into YOUR Imagination reception when the new ride opens.

[@jayp6990]

Nice work WDWNT! 👏

[@nicolew1617]

god I cried my whole way through the video! thank you so much for this❤ splash will be sorely missed

[@ised-5239]

Splash's Chick-a-Pin-Hill building is based on Georgia landmark and for each parks it was colored according to the setting of the land; in California Disneyland it has reddish Georgia clay coloring and blended with Louisiana bayou style trees whereas Tokyo and Magic Kingdom's the coloring is canyonous and Big Thunder-ish.

[@johnhicks7057]

Well done, WDW News. Well done. And THANK YOU!!!!😊😊

[@ZebraLens]

I can't wait to get a *WDWNT* _Back to the Future - Splash Mountain_ 🤞 Also shout out to *_Martinsvids_* as he has documented a lot of our Disney Parks history for the fandom.

[@peterpaigefanqaf]

Wow you and your team did a great job on this.

[@MayorKyraTheFroggo]

Rip Splash mountain may you Rest In Peace and the history of Disney

[@RetroRed101]

I was hoping you guys were gonna do a back to the future over this. However this was really enjoyable. This really was such a good ride. I'm gonna miss it when I'm there later this year. Hope the new ride is good though.

[@akhetherington]

Wonderful tribute Tom!!

[@KingKaosUnkgedOfficial]

Definitely going to miss my all time favorite ride 😭

[@kalliford3859]

Splash Mountain will always be the best

[@familyfun7163]

Please make more Complete Histories of other rides. I’m sure all the research is tough to do but they are awesome. I really love the explanation of the ride story as we see it from the point of view from the ride vehicle. Well done!

[@JustSimplyDave]

I seriously think this is one of the best videos WDWNT has made. Very informative and well produced. Thank you.

[@JW-cm2er]

Awesome video! Thanks for putting in the effort in honor of a classic ride!

[@OnePortalLover]

Thanks for the splasher run down. I really needed it😢

[@joefreak2377]

I really hope Disney still puts out Brer Rabbit, Fox n Bear merchandise or has them out in the park. My family went visited Disney World for Christmas, and sadly there was not any Brer merchandise at any of the stores left. I hope the Brer Family is not forgotten in the Disney Vault.

[@jayo1212]

If they aren't going to rerelease the movie they are from...

[@AndyG13GLA]

Consider these characters consigned to the past. Your best bet is eBay at inflated prices. Even Tokyo isn’t allowed to sell SOTS/SM merch.

[@smileycindy]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos on the history of the park. Another great one added to the WDWNT vault :)

[@Whittymo915]

Who did the narration? I swear it’s Eddie Trunk!! Great vid

[@garyrodriguez4067]

As a cast member, I worked and closed the popcorn cart in between splash mountain and thunder mountain on the last day of operation at magic. It was definitely something, it was my first time being at a park for the last day of operation for any ride

[@tammerahanes1792]

I was Born in 1960. I grew up on the Wonderful world of Color. I Loved aesops fable (spelling) and the songs of the south, anyway it will be missed, hopefully Tianas Bayou Adventure will be Great Also. Thanks for a Beautiful and Wonderful Account of This Iconic Ride.🥳😘😀☺️💜🥰😇😃

[@jasonluckoff3880]

If I was the president of Disney splash Mountain will say The new ride will not happen

[@TonyB001]

Very well done ! Thx for putting this together

[@daderocksalot]

This was the first ride with a “drop” that I ever got on. It kick started my love of all rides/coasters and is a staple of every single Disney visit. When I heard about the re-theme, I was a bit bummed. Idk what it is but every time I ride Splash Mountain, it’s a blast.

[@kamillsap3155]

This will always be my favorite attraction as I grew up with my Daddy telling me stories of B’rer Rabbit! Thank you for this history!

[@kimleonard4087]

This is a great mini doc. The ride is getting a new theme. People really need to get over it & themselves. Goodness!

[@terrys4179]

This was so interesting! Thanks so much Tom.

[@jillwachbrit6630]

Thank you for this wonderful history documentary for this classic ride. I wish we had this for each of the rides that have closed over the years that were popular during their heydays so that we could properly remember them.

[@jentracey1758]

Wow very well done!! 👏🏼 I will always have fond memories of going on this ride with my brother when I was in high school, but I am excited to see the new version and ride it with my daughter.

[@pault5557]

“Kids look it up” thanks, Tom, for making me feel OLD!!!🤪

[@jillianasyouwish8013]

Thank you so much for this well done

[@jgkidd82]

Thanks for this! I enjoyed this!

[@ainsleyperry5192]

WDW News. Tom, The interior of the ride all the sets are sculptured out of cement. Imagineer John Stone said "Because it's alway's damp inside the set's will last for ever.They are easier to maintain and we can just repaint them." Bruce Gorden said, "We got the final go ahead to start in 1986 but we had to wait for the final budget to be O.K.'d." When first open the Elixer caravan made all sorts of weired "Bubbly" noises ( the elixer being brewed) and smoke came out of the chimney. All the critter houses had lights inside so when you rode the attraction at night it looked like everyone was home. Gordon said, " Yes, people are going to get wet." "Why do you think we call it Splash Mtn." A lot of theme parks in Europe have flume ride's now. So D/land Paris could have one, just closed for maintanance for the coldest time of the year. As alway's, thanks for your time Tom. Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@zusanlist3623]

Well done WDWNT!

[@54spiritedwill54]

A great video! Thanks for putting in the effort in honor of a classic Disneyland ride!

[@jstorm7922]

Absolutely amazing video!!

[@jeannettevarrichio9266]

Love this video.. great job...will keep splash mountain alive for me...thanks for making this

[@seanstein8313]

Thank you for this

[@PlanetJustPlain]

So true. What an epic ride

[@lelandunruh7896]

I went to Disneyland a week after Splash Mountain opened. My late mother, usually extremely frugal, bought us Splash Mountain t-shirts. That's how you know it was really a hit!

[@Danielpeter2344]

I’m glad I got to ride it back in the day. My wife and I just went to Orlando a couple weeks ago. We missed the closing of Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain by one day. Hopefully the retheme works out well.

[@joebinienda5283]

Thank you for the history lesson. 🙏

[@jonrussell1690]

Loved this video!!!! Thank you! I will miss this ride…Zippy do da was and continues to be a song that makes me smile and puts me in a good mood. It was sad to see the ride close on Jan 22nd, 2023 but like you sad, hopefully with Ariana’s Bayou Adventure, somewhere in the ride will be a tribute to Splash Mountain as well as provide guests with years of enjoyment as special as Splash Mountain did for the many years of its existence.

[@NudgeRocks]

wow.. what a great tribute to this ride. I love how positive it's pitched that we can all enjoy it and that it's time to be sensitive to others and put outdated toys away to make room for new memories.

[@Outre78]

Thank you for this video!! I’m just dreading the Disneyland version closing. I went when it first opened, and it’s been my favorite ride ever since. I just barely took a trip there to ride it for my last time, because I would’ve regretted it forever if I hadn’t. While I think that the Magic Kingdom is superior in a lot of way, the Disneyland version is my personal favorite. I like the rendition of the music a little bit better on the Disneyland one…. And I also really like the scene before you go up the final hill. The music turns like really tragic and dark…. I never understood why they didn’t Include that part on the Magic Kingdom version… that might’ve been my favorite version, had they. I’m kind of glad that Tokyo is refusing to do this re-theme. I eventually intend on traveling there and riding that version of the ride. I suspect that it will be my least favorite version of the three though. I have seen a ride through and don’t really like the music as much…. I think that restaurant would be really cool though… and at least it’s something. I really wish that they could’ve built Tiana’s bayou adventure as a separate ride… They could’ve at least kept the name Splash Mountain. But I guess Disney hates this ride. So it is what it is. Splash Mountain RIP 🥺

[@katykool5876]

Thank you for making this as we say bye to the original theming in Florida & California! This was so well researched and interesting!!

[@elainehill5931]

I really enjoyed this video. I’m interested to see just how long this closure is going to be. If it’s late 2024 then it could be nearly 2 years closed. That’s a long time for a water ride in Florida to be closed when it’s like a thousand degrees😅

[@elainehill5931]

@@blackfox1320 That would not surprise me at all!

[@franktown7224]

There are no mountains in the Bayou

[@jwiese100]

Disneyland Tokyo still has splash mountain