Is Splash Mountain Still Being Reimagined?

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Disney announced the nostalgic Splash Mountain attraction at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort would be dropping its Song of the South (1946) theme and making an adjustment to be more inclusive with The Princess and the Frog (2009) theme. While Br’er Rabbit vs. Princess Tiana has been among many Disney fan discussions, oddly enough, Disney has dropped the reimagining reference from its website.

Disney first made the announcement of the retheming back in June 2020. The shock of the announcement quickly spread through Disney fandom causing mixed views. Some Disney fans were excited that Princess Tiana and her New Orleans crew would finally be getting an attraction themed after them. On the flip-side, some Disney fans wanted Disney to keep the classic Splash Mountain boat ride as is with Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear.

Now, a year and a half later, we aren’t seeing any adjustments taking place to Splash Mountain just yet. Splash Mountain recently underwent its “routine maintenance” closure, but the reopening showed no signs of Princess Tiana. Not only did Splash Mountain resume as is after the refurbishment, but Disney dropped the reimagining reference of the upcoming The Princess and the Frog theme from its website.

Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog

Previously, the Splash Mountain ride landing page noted, “An exciting new refresh is coming to this attraction.” The note included a “Read More” link which took Guests to details about The Princess and the Frog retheming. Now, that message is completely gone.

While Disney may have dropped the reference from its website, you can still find reimagining details on Disney Parks Blog which makes us believe all is still a go for the transformation.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products shared reimagining of Splash Mountain has been expedited back in November 2020. In August 2021, Melissa Valiquette, the Vice president of Magic Kingdom, asked for patience with “Our Guests are going to have to put a little bit of trust into us for a bit because we promise not to let you down. We’re going to deliver a wonderful attraction that is inspiring and beautiful and worthy of this princess, Princess Tiana.”

Disney’s description of the reimagining has noted, “As seen in this latest rendering of the attraction, the story will take place after the final kiss as Naveen and Louis join Princess Tiana on her latest adventure, hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome – during which some original music inspired by songs from the film will bring Guests into the story. Tiana is leading the way and fans will be able to encounter old friends and make new ones along the way as well!”

Disneyland Park Reopens with Reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisneyLists.com

Guests will celebrate the timeless fairytale of Snow White in a whole new way at the Disneyland Resort, which recently reopened to guests. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, an original Disneyland attraction, has been reimagined with new magic in storytelling to bring together the beloved Disney Princess, the Seven Dwarfs, the woodland creatures, the Prince – and yes, even the Evil Queen – for the ultimate storybook ending of “happily ever after.”

“The Snow White attraction has such a rich history,” said Kim Irvine, Disneyland Resort creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We wanted to take into account the beautiful scenic work that has always existed and retell the story in a special way. We believe guests will enjoy this sweet storyline in a stunning experience.”

“You’re still going to feel a lot of suspense,” said Dave Caranci, manager of creative development, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The Evil Queen is still there outside the attraction opening the curtains. But there’s a warmer, inviting feel that’s drawing you inside and now it’s Snow White’s journey.”

Guests can expect to see Happy, Doc, Grumpy and more as they experience Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.

  • State-of-the-art audio and visual technology inside the attraction is enhanced with new music, LED black lighting, new laser projections and a new animation system.
  • More than 50 new animal and figure sculpts have been added throughout the attraction.
  • The newly named attraction blends fresh and familiar details, including new recordings in the queue voiced by the dwarfs Happy and Grumpy in English and Spanish, respectively.
  • Boarding a mine cart, guests travel through some new scenes of this classic fairytale, beginning with the dwarfs’ cozy cottage. Snow White twirls and dances with Dopey and the scent of Doc’s handiwork – a baking apple pie ­– wafts through the air.
  • Vibrant new shadow projections bring to life the dwarfs as they march happily off to work in the mine singing “Heigh Ho.”
  • The dazzling mine scene sparkles with shimmering lighting effects and glittering jewels. Guests can be on the lookout for Doc examining a jewel, Grumpy hoisting a pick, and Dopey grinning from a jewel-filled mine cart.
  • The den of the Evil Queen is surrounded by a library of spell books, a glowing cauldron and flasks bubbling with colorful potions, hints of how she concocted the poison apple.
  • Snow White’s enchanted wish comes true at last as she is awakened from her deep sleep by love’s first kiss, from her Prince. She reunites with her animal friends and joyfully rides off with her Prince toward a golden castle for her “happily ever after.”
  • The attraction’s brick façade is now painted in warmer pinks, lighter blues and gold colors to complement Sleeping Beauty Castle. In keeping with the architectural style of a European village, the exterior is bright and welcoming, with ornamental birds, butterflies and blooming flowers.
  • Guests still may see the Evil Queen spying on those below from a window above the entrance.
  • Snow White was Walt Disney’s original princess, debuting in the 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which was Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature. This attraction remains the only ride-through princess attraction at Disneyland park.

As guests and Disney cast members work together to promote the health and safety of everyone, the Disneyland Resort is adding enhanced health and safety measures. These measures include appropriate face coverings required for all guests ages 2 and older, temperature screenings prior to park entry, physical distancing, capacity measures, enhanced cleaning procedures and cashless transactions. Markers will be placed in attraction queues to assist with physical distancing guidelines (6 feet between parties).