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It was only a matter of time, but it looks like the day is finally coming.
As Walt Disney Imagineers progress on transforming Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World Resort, attention has now been drawn to one of the tallest landmarks in the Magic Kingdom.
Credit: Disney
According to one fan @EvanPatel11, scaffolding has been moved to the top of the once-called Chick-a-Pin Hill, where the hollowed-out tree trunk is expected to be taken down, along with the rocky, red clay base in favor of a more forest-green hilltop.
Check it out:
Splash Mountain construction update (thread)
– the entire front is still covered in scalfolding
– random w flag flying on the left side.
– the bottom seems to be at somewhat of a standstill.
– with so much scalfolding it's hard to see some of the updates. pic.twitter.com/ZDtAe7Tocs— Evan Patel (@EvanPatel11) April 3, 2023
This is the latest update regarding the Princess and the Frog-themed log-flume ride, following the announcement that the tiara-topped water tower advertising Princess Tiana’s company, Tiana’s Foods, will soon be installed. Later aerial photographs seemed to show where that water tower will be located.
The Splash Mountain variant inside Walt Disney World’s Frontierland was the first one to close for refurbishment in January 2023. Splash Mountain at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is also expected to close to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and an extension of the New Orleans Square-themed area with Tiana’s Palace Restaurant. But it is currently still in operation, and it remains unclear at this time when that closure and Imagineering work is expected to begin. Both Florida and California versions are still expected to reopen in late 2024. Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disney Resort is still expected to remain open.
Tiana’s Palace Restaurant concept art/Courtesy of Disney
Related: Disney Indefinitely Postpones Highly Anticipated Disney+ Series
But more than a ride is closing down. Disney Parks has also begun removing any trace of the racist-deemed ride in both Disneyland and Disney World characters Br’er Fox, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Rabbit have been removed from parades, and even the song and Disney Park anthem, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” has been removed from Park music and Disney Parades like Disneyland’s “Magic Happens” and Disney World’s “Festival of Fantasy.”
We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.
