Splash Mountain

Opening on October 2, 1992, Splash Mountain was a near-identical twin to its Disneyland predecessor, bringing the story of Br’er Rabbit to life in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. Conceived by Imagineer Tony Baxter, the attraction followed Br’er Rabbit as he left home in search of his Laughing Place, pursued by the ever-bumbling Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear.

Riders boarded eight-passenger logs, floating past scenes set to “How Do You Do?” and encountering characters like Mr. Bluebird, Br’er Porcupine, and two ominous vultures. The climax came when Br’er Rabbit was captured and begged not to be thrown into the briar patch—which, of course, led to the ride’s iconic 52.5-foot drop. The finale featured a jubilant riverboat scene with critters singing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” celebrating Br’er Rabbit’s clever escape and return home.

In January 2011, lap bars were added to the ride vehicles to improve safety and prevent mid-ride exits. The logs were redesigned to seat two guests per row, slightly reducing capacity.

On June 25, 2020, Disney announced that Splash Mountain would be rethemed to The Princess and the Frog, citing the need for a more inclusive narrative. Tony Baxter returned as Creative Advisor, and on December 2, 2022, the official closure date was confirmed. The attraction closed on January 23, 2023, with Cast Members taking the final ride the night before

Though the ride is gone, its legacy remains—both as a technical marvel and as a flashpoint in Disney’s evolving approach to storytelling and representation

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