Disneyland’s Splash Mountain to Close its Doors, Making Way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Disneyland’s Splash Mountain, a longtime attraction at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” is set to close its doors on May 31, 2021. The ride, which first opened in 1987, has been the subject of criticism due to its origins in the 1946 Disney movie “Song of the South.” The movie has been accused of romanticizing plantation life in the post-slavery era.

In response to the criticism, Disney announced in June 2020 that the ride would be retired and replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction following the adventures of Princess Tiana, the first Black princess in Disney history, from “The Princess and the Frog.”

The new ride will be located in the same area as Splash Mountain, and will feature the same flume ride technology. However, the ride will be themed around Princess Tiana’s adventures in the Louisiana bayou, and will feature a new soundtrack and animatronics.

Disney has not yet announced when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open, but the company has stated that it will be “in the near future.” The ride is expected to be a major draw for the park, as it will be the first ride to feature a Black princess as its main character.

The closure of Splash Mountain marks the end of an era for Disneyland, and the beginning of a new one. With the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the park will be able to provide a more inclusive experience for its guests, while still providing the same thrilling rides and attractions that it has become known for.