One of Disney's most famous attractions is preparing for another closure.
Splash Mountain has gradually disappeared from Disney's theme parks over the past three years. Once a fixture at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, the log flume attraction became the subject of controversy over its connection to Disney's 1946 film Song of the South.
The movie has long faced criticism for its depiction of the post-Civil War American South. In 2020, Disney announced plans to replace both American versions of Splash Mountain with attractions inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009), featuring Disney Princess Tiana.
Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain closed permanently in January 2023, followed by Disneyland Park's version in May 2023. Both attractions eventually reopened as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, introducing new characters, music, and storylines while retaining the original log flume ride systems.
The changes left just one Splash Mountain operating anywhere in the world. Unlike its American counterparts, the attraction has continued welcoming guests with its original Song of the South characters and music, despite years of speculation about its future.
Now, Tokyo Disney Resort has confirmed that the final remaining Splash Mountain will shut down in early 2027.
Final Splash Mountain Attraction Closing in January 2027
Tokyo Disneyland has confirmed that Splash Mountain will close to guests on January 7, 2027, as part of its upcoming attraction refurbishment schedule.
According to the resort's official website, the closure will last through February 4, with the attraction scheduled to reopen on February 5, 2027. Unlike the previous American closures, this shutdown is temporary.
Located in Tokyo Disneyland's Critter Country, Splash Mountain opened in October 1992, just months after Magic Kingdom debuted its own version. The Japanese attraction remains remarkably similar to the original, featuring Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear.
Guests board eight-person logs for a roughly 15-minute journey through the mountain, encountering familiar scenes before plunging down a 52-foot waterfall at a 45-degree angle. The attraction also remains eligible for Disney Premier Access, Tokyo Disney Resort's paid ride reservation service.
Splash Mountain isn't the only Tokyo Disneyland attraction scheduled for maintenance in January. Peter Pan's Flight will close on January 6, followed by Haunted Mansion on January 8 to remove its temporary holiday theming. Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions will also be unavailable during much of the winter.
The scheduled closure comes amid continued speculation about Splash Mountain's long-term future. While Tokyo Disney Resort has not announced plans to permanently retire the attraction, several changes in recent years have attracted attention.
Splash Mountain's gift shop closed in November 2024, while the attraction subsequently lost its Kao Corporation sponsorship in 2025. A sign referencing the controversial Song of the South song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” was also removed in early 2026.
There have also been reports that Disney wants the final Splash Mountain rethemed, although disagreements over the cost have allegedly complicated discussions. Tokyo Disney Resort is owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company – which is also set to launch its own take of the Disney Cruise Line – under a licensing agreement with Disney.
For now, no permanent replacement has been confirmed, and the January refurbishment is not an indication that Tokyo Disneyland's Splash Mountain is being transformed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
Its closure window makes sense from a weather perspective – January is one of the coldest months of the year in Tokyo, with average daytime highs of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and nighttime lows approaching freezing. While snow is relatively uncommon, the chilly conditions can make water rides such as Splash Mountain less appealing, particularly given the risk of getting wet.
Disney's Splash Mountain Replacement Continues to Face Criticism
The two American versions of Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened in 2024, beginning with Magic Kingdom on June 28. Disneyland followed on November 15, when the surrounding Critter Country area was officially renamed Bayou Country.
Set after the events of The Princess and the Frog, the updated attraction follows Tiana and Louis as they recruit musicians for a Mardi Gras celebration. New Audio-Animatronics figures, original music, and redesigned scenes replaced Splash Mountain's original characters.
However, the changes have divided Disney fans. Some have criticized the removal of the original storyline, while others have questioned the decision to exclude Dr. Facilier, the film's villain, from the attraction.
Technical problems have also affected the ride's reception. Magic Kingdom's version experienced repeated breakdowns and canceled previews before opening, while guests continued reporting malfunctioning animatronics and missing show elements throughout 2025 and 2026.
In August 2026, guests reported several broken elements on Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney World. Earlier incidents included an animatronic of Princess Tiana reportedly losing part of its head, adding to complaints about the attraction's reliability.
Magic Kingdom's version is now scheduled for another refurbishment beginning November 2, 2026. The attraction is expected to reopen in December, although Disney has not confirmed an exact reopening date.
Do you think it's time for Tokyo Disney Resort to replace its version of Splash Mountain?
