Disney's Splash Mountain closing date announced, ride to be reimagined as Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Walt Disney World's classic log flume ride, Splash Mountain, first plunged guests down the 52-foot drop on July 14, 1989, and Disney has just announced its final trip through the briar patch will occur in January 2023.
The ride as it exists today features characters heavily inspired by "Song of the South," a 1940s-era Disney film that depicts dated, racist stereotypes, so it was ripe for a reimagining given the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Splash Mountain, as we know it, will be closed starting Jan. 23, 2023, to undergo a transformation into the previously announced Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Tiana's Bayou Attraction picks up Tiana's story after the 2009 "The Princess and the Frog" movie concludes. On this ride — the first featuring Princess Tiana — you'll join Tiana and her alligator pal Louis as they get ready to host a celebration for all of New Orleans.
The current Splash Mountain attraction is home to many animatronic critters, and from what Disney has shared, the new ride will have no shortage of "adorable creatures," including an otter, rabbit, raccoon, beaver and turtle, among others.
Disney has also released a new rendering of the moment you first enter the bayou on the attraction and shared that the ride will feature Zydeco music (a Louisiana-born blend of rhythm and blues).
Based on the renderings — and the warmly lit fireflies within them — it seems this attraction will keep that "dark ride" vibe as it builds toward its eventual finale drop.
Related: Book a Disney vacation with TPG's partner, Mouse Counselors
Disney has not yet announced a closing date for the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland.
However, both U.S. Disney parks are transforming their respective Splash Mountain attractions into Tiana's Bayou Adventure with previously announced late 2024 opening dates.
Related readings:
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | Earn 2X miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere |
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- Simple earning structure
- Bonus categories
- Annual credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options, including transfer partners
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- Fewer bonus categories than some competitors
- Lacks premium perks
- Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app