Splash Mountain: Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Sure, long time Disneyland and Walt Disney World fans of Splash Mountain had reason to be concerned when Disney Imagineering announced that the beloved attraction would become one focused on Princess and the Frog. And it had absolutely nothing to do with race.

It has everything to do with the quality of these more recent attraction makeovers: the transition of California Screamin' into the less than inspiring Incredicoaster, and the disaster that is Pixar Pier. The enjoyable but much less mysterious Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! in place of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. (Or even a worthy stand alone new attraction the Marvel heroes should have had. See Spider Man's WEBSLINGERS). Truth is, you just can trust the modern Disney braintrust when it comes to plans such as these.

Could we as fans expect more when they take a classic Marc Davis character filled, Tony Baxter and team executed gem of Splash Mountain and turn it into something new? No- and yes, I was encouraged by the recent roundtable discussion regarding a Princess Tiana ride. See it for yourself.

I can see an easier tie into Disneyland's New Orleans Square but into the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland? Just as problematic as before- it's a stretch. 

Will Carmen Smith, Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering and Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering (what awful titles!) and their team be successful? They might just pull this off. Could there even be a new restaurant in the works? Wouldn't that be great!

(Art and video copyright The Walt Disney Company.)