Disney World's Splash Mountain to Close
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118433)
Gainesville, Florida
January 7, 2023 11:14am CST
Splash Mountain is one of the three "mountain" rides at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The other two "mountains" are Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain. Splash Mountain is themed after Brer Rabbit and the book/movie [I]Song of the South[/I], and is a log flume water ride. The ride first opened at Magic Kingdom in 1992.
Over the years, there has been some backlash over the ride's theme, as in our current times [I]Song of the South[/I] is considered racist, so a couple of years ago Disney announced that they would close the current ride and re-theme it to something else. Well, that time has come. Beginning January 23, Splash Mountain will be closed for two years to be re-imagined as a new ride based on Princess Tiana and the movie [I]The Princess and the Frog[/I].
Although I'm sad to see the original Splash Mountain close down, I'm excited for what lies ahead with this ride. When I was at Disney World over the Christmas/New Years holidays, I made sure to ride Splash Mountain as many times as I could, in order to enjoy it before it closes.
It is disappointing to see any ride close, but I am excited that it will re-open again in two years. In the meantime, the new Tron roller coaster will be opening this spring at the Magic Kingdom, so at least I have that new ride to look forward to!
Have you ever ridden Splash Mountain at Disney World?
20 people like this
22 responses
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
Haha, yes that's me with my arm raised. That picture was from 2 years ago, the last time I got a picture on the ride. My son and daughter are in the seat right in front of me. As you can see, we are all wearing masks, so it was early on in the pandemic. I know it was early in the pandemic, because eventually Disney required that every other seat be empty on rides as a condition of the state letting the theme park stay open.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
@CarolDM We sure were. I'm surprised neither of the kids were doing anything with their hands/arms, as we usually try to "pose" somehow for the camera on most of the rides.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
7 Jan 23
@moffittjc I thought so. I recognized you even with your mask. You were all having a great time.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
7 Jan 23
Nope. I've never been to Florida... I've always heard there are terrible people down there. 
I was afraid the police would raid Florida one day and confuse me for an inmate.
I was afraid the police would raid Florida one day and confuse me for an inmate. 2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
7 Jan 23
@moffittjc I've been to almost every other state but never set foot in Florida. If I ever make it that far, I'll be knocking on your door. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jan 23
@DaddyEvil Knock away if you ever visit Florida. I’ll drag your butt to Disney with me. Lol
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
You've seriously never been to Florida? Wow, you are so lucky!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62118)
• United States
7 Jan 23
I haven’t been to Disney World since the days when you could go through the park in one day…I think when I graduated from boot camp in 1979.
I recently watched Song of the South again, and I can see how the idea of white kids and black kids being friends would be seen as “racist” in 1947. 
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
I've always seen the movie as a product of its time, not necessarily being purposely made as a racist movie. I hate that we try to erase history because we don't like it. But it was a good movie, and ride--as it was themed--was a great ride. I'll be sad to see it go, and I hope Disney wows everyone with an even better ride when it re-opens.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62118)
• United States
7 Jan 23
@moffittjc — yes, we’ve removed all the Confederate statues, so the Civil War didn’t happen.
I’m wondering how much longer Jefferson Davis’ birthplace will be a state park here in Kentucky. 
I’m wondering how much longer Jefferson Davis’ birthplace will be a state park here in Kentucky. 1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
@FourWalls They've removed all the Confederate statues here in my city as well. People don't understand that these statues aren't just glorifying the past, they are serving as reminders of a dark time in our nation's history. If we forget about history, then we are bound to repeat it. We need to constantly be reminded of the things in our nation's past, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
2 people like this
NOOOO!!! All those new ridiculous rules because something is racist or not politically correct is more than annoying. I loved Splash Mountain, I have ridden more than once.@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
9 Jan 23
@moffittjc I fully agree with you. This is becoming an attempt to our freedom, no matter what we write or we say can be considered offensive, racists or inappropriate. We are going too far.
I am sure that the majority of people visiting Disney parks would have said to keep the ride as it is.
We cannot change history and the bigger mistake we can do is to hide what happened in the past. We must remember to avoid to repeat the same mistakes.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
If you think about it, anybody can be offended by anything, but I don't think that qualifies a company to make changes just because. Personally, I think Disney should have done some kind of survey to see how their guests felt about the ride. I'm willing to guess that the majority of respondents would have said to keep the ride just as it is with no changes.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306080)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Jan 23
I'm sorry it's closing. People need to get over their paranoias. I think I've seen the movie and liked it. I didn't think anything racist about it. Oh well, what can you do? I hope the new ride will be as much fun as Splash Mountain has been.
No, I've never been to Disney World.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
With all the complaining and politics aside, the ride was due for a refurbishment. Plus, I trust that Disney will not disappoint when they unveil the “new” Splash Mountain in 2 years.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306080)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Jan 23
@moffittjc I'm sure they won't. It will most likely go along with another movie theme.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
@just4him They are going to theme it to the movie The Princess and the Frog.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156056)
• United States
8 Jan 23
I've never been to Disney World or Disneyland. Amusement parks don't hold much interest for me...except to hear about them from you. I enjoy that you enjoy yourself so much there.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jan 23
Disney is my second home. Whenever I step foot through their gates, I feel like all the world’s problems and cares disappear.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156056)
• United States
12 Jan 23
@moffittjc That's great, Jeff. It makes me happy that you're so happy there.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Jan 23
@LindaOHio Not to mention that the annual passes are so expensive now that I have to go as often as I can just to get my money’s worth! Lol
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81540)
• Onaway, Michigan
14 Jan 23
I don’t think I have that I remember it has been a long time
1992 I believe was when I was there we went on so much stuff when we was there me and my ex we.t there on our honeymoon
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81540)
• Onaway, Michigan
14 Jan 23
@moffittjc Yeah I am sure we didn’t especially if the line was long and not moving fast my husband did not like waiting that long in lines
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 23
@Tina30219 You probably wouldn't enjoy a visit to Disney now then. If a line is less than 2 hours long nowadays, you are doing good. Although there are times when you get a rare day when the parks aren't crowded and the lines are short. My daughter and I went this past Tuesday to Magic Kingdom for the day, and the longest line we waited in was for Space Mountain, and it was only 27 minutes! We were able to ride all the rides in Magic Kingdom so quickly that we park-hopped over to Epcot and rode all their rides, and then still had time to go to Disney Springs to shop and walk around, and then we went back to Magic Kingdom at 8pm to watch the fireworks and castle projection show.
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 23
1992 is when Splash Mountain opened, so it's possible the lines were so long that you didn't ride the attraction. I've seen the lines have as long as a 5-hour wait, especially in the summer when it's hot and everyone wants to cool off by getting wet on the ride.
@tammys85 (29948)
• Baltimore, Maryland
18 Jan 23
@moffittjc I'd love to visit Disney. I might eventually, with my younger sister, when I have the money. She goes like, every other year. :)
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Jan 23
Disney is a wonderful place. I think you should try to visit at least once in your life!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Jan 23
@tammys85 Just save a dollar a day for an entire year and you will be able to afford a ticket!
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
8 Jan 23
@moffittjc We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and visited a different park every day. We did the Magic Kingdom twice.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
Did you spend the whole week at Disney World, or were there other places in the Orlando area you visited as well? I admit, there is a lot to cover in just one week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
@DWDavis I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge! In fact, our first day there we had breakfast reservations at the Boma Cafe in the AK Lodge. We weren't staying at the AK Lodge (I couldn't afford that for the 9 days we were there), but thought it would be nice to enjoy a meal there and walk around checking out the holiday decorations and beautifully themed buildings.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48929)
• United States
13 Jan 23
I’ve never been on it. I love Space Mountain.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 23
I love Space Mountain too! I recently got to ride it with all the lights on. Wow, what a much different experience when you can see what is happening.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
17 Jan 23
No, I think the times I was there, the ride was closed. I loved Song of the South.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Jan 23
There’s nothing worse than going to a theme park and finding out your favorite ride is closed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jan 23
@JudyEv Disney just st announced the opening date today for the new Tron ride. It will officially open on the 4th of April.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
If you think that surprises you, wait until you hear this one…the new Tron roller coaster that will debut this spring has been under construction for FIVE years!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325693)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jan 23
@moffittjc Gosh, it will outdated before it even opens.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
I’m sure the new version will be fantastic, but I will still miss as the old one. Too many fond memories.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Jan 23
@nela13 I took a lot of pictures on the ride the last two times I rode it, so that I can remember the ride long after it’s been re-themed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 23
Wow, it is great to see you here still. I was just thinking about you the other day, and wondering why I haven't seen you on myLot in so long! How are you? I haven't talked to you in forever.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 23
@Nevena83 I love interacting with you here, so I'm glad that myLot is a refuge for you. I'm sorry that your life hasn't changed much. I have always hoped that you would be able to create a better life for yourself somehow. How is your son doing? Does he still live with you and your parents?
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
14 Jan 23
@moffittjc I am very happy to see that you all remember me.
I must admit that I am at ease here with all of you and you have always been my escape from reality. I'm fine, but my life hasn't changed at all. I am trying to change myself, but it is very difficult.
I must admit that I am at ease here with all of you and you have always been my escape from reality. I'm fine, but my life hasn't changed at all. I am trying to change myself, but it is very difficult.1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169930)
• United States
8 Jan 23
I don't think so. I was on the Space Mountain ride though, and I hated that. A roller coaster in the dark is not my thing. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
I love dark rides like Space Mountain. But if you were to ever ride it with the lights on, you would see how slow the ride actually goes. Just a week ago they had the lights on when I rode it and I thought it was slow and lame. But then I rode it again later when the lights were back off, and it seemed fast and exhilarating again!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
7 Jan 23
I wonder why they are insisting on closing it down when millions are aware of it.
The past is not disposable, it is something that we should be willing to look at and learn from.
It can also provide a level of respect which can only come about if we really think about how others were treated and how we feel we would have reacted and how we know that they have not. There is alot to be said about that, such integrity.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
I agree with you. A lot of people think that Disney has become too “woke” these days. I’ll stay out of the politics of that issue, but there was absolutely nothing on that ride that could have been considered offensive, except for the fact that it was based on a movie that many say was racist. Aside from that, the ride was due for a refurbishment, so I guess they thought it would be a good time to re-theme it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Jan 23
I really enjoyed the movie Princess and the Frog so it will be interesting to see what they come up with, You look like you are really enjoying the ride,
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 23
Thanks, I always enjoy riding Splash Mountain. I’ve never seen the Princess and the Frog, but I will make sure to watch it before the ride re-opens.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
7 Jan 23
I am so bitter to see what they are doing with it.
I have ridden it at both World and Land, and while I get why they are doing what they are doing to it, it still makes me kind of mad and sad. Splash Mountain is iconic. We don't need a Princess and the Frog ride.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jan 23
I agree, but I guess that’s progress for you.
How are you? Are you finally getting over being sick? I still can’t shake this cough, almost 70 days after first getting sick.
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jan 23
But you have Hong Kong Disney, Tokyo Disney and Shanghai Disney in your vicinity. I'm sure it's still quite a distance from where you live, but it does give you some options if you ever decide you want to visit a Disney theme park.
