Last Days of Splash Mountain: What to Expect from Disney Adults

On July 1, 2022, Disney Parks Blog released long-anticipated confirmations regarding the transformation of Splash Mountain into a new log-flume ride themed after Walt Disney Animation’s feature film, The Princess and the Frog. We at Disney Fanatic shared that the ride will be officially named “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” and it will officially open at both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park in late 2024.

It is still unclear at this time when Splash Mountain will officially close at either Park for the transformation, but an iconic Disney Park attraction officially has a termination time. The clock is ticking, and between now and then, this reporter is willing to speculate that there are three things that onlookers should expect to see from Disney Adults.

1. Appreciation for Splash Mountain will Return

Related: Go Behind the Scenes of ‘Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’

Now that they got what they want, the same group of Disney Adults that wanted to tear Splash Mountain down is now going to shower it with praise befitting a Disney legacy. For however long we drop over Chik-a-pin Hill with Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brear Rabbit, more focus is going to be spent on finding all of the special easter eggs and sharing all of the Imagineering history. They will also be rushing to experience and record Splash Mountain while they still can.

2. Mad Dash for Merchandise

Back in 2020, when it was first announced that the log flume ride would lose its Song of the South theme, there was a mad dash to claim some otherwise neglected Splash Mountain merchandise. At the time, this reporter even picked up stuffed animal variants of the Brer trio from Uncle Remus’ stories and watched as the resellers walked in and out of the gift shops with both arms full of merchandise.

I speculate that a similar push for merchandise will take to the Disney Parks and eBay while supplies last. Additionally, social media will pay withness to a surplus of the iconic Splash Mountain ride photo, featuring but not limited to posts such as “first drop vs. last drop” comparisons.

3. Cementing Their Place in Disney History

Now is the time Disney Adults will consciously prepare for the day they will look at the big drop and get to say, “back in my day…”

A page in Disney history is about to be turned away, and Disney Adults will be lining up to add their piece to the story, whether that is one last ride photo or a selfie in front of the iconic drop, ride signs, or their favorite ride scenes.

And when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure makes its debut, a similar phenomenon will take place where we will see Disney Adults scrambling to be on the first page of that new chapter and getting the right to say, “I was there first.”

Regardless of how anybody feels about this change, a moment of Disney Park history is underway, and Disney Adults will be there to respect the event as such.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s and may not reflect the sentiments of Disney Fanatic as a whole.