Celebrating Over 30 Years of Splash Mountain at Disneyland
Today, fans are saying farewell to a Southern California landmark. Let’s take a trip back in time, to celebrate Splash Mountain’s over 30-year history at Disneyland!
Splash Mountain
Origins
Splash Mountain opened on July 17, 1989. Located at the far end of the Park, in Critter Country, it stands 87 feet tall.
Ride Through
After boarding a log, Guests take a journey through the story of Brer Rabbit. Brer Fox and Brer Bear are after the creature, as witnessed in various scenes.
One of the many elements enjoyed by fans is the music. Songs like “How Do You Do?” and “The Laughin’ Place” have become embedded in our hearts over the years.
Splash Mountain is known for its epic drop. After heading up a dark pathway, a glimmer of light appears, culminating in a plunge over five stories high; 52 feet to be exact!
To top it off, the drop sits at a 45-degree angle! Thrilling for many, yet scary for some, Park goers love watching people take the plunge as they travel past the ride.
On a side note, it can produce some of the most hilarious, on-ride photos of all time. You can’t help but smile when you see people’s reactions!
In honor of its last day, here are some facts you may not have known about this epic attraction!
Little Known Facts
Did you know that when Splash Mountain opened, it boasted the longest drop for a flume ride in the entire world?! In addition, it marks the first thrilling Disney Parks water flume ride ever created!
Splash Mountain wasn’t always known by its current name. While it was in the works, its original title was, “Zip-A-Dee River Run.”
Over 100 critters can be found in Splash Mountain. Many of them are from America Sings, a classic show in operation from 1974 to 1988 in Tomorrowland.
If you love Splash Mountain’s exterior as much as I do, it’s probably due to its unique architecture! The woodsy landscape on the inside and outside was fashioned to appear cartoonish, showcasing rounded edges and soft lines.
Inside, the use of color was purposeful, as it provides a particular ambiance to set each scene. For example, the beginning features bright colors, but as you travel on, the hues become darker, to coincide with Brer Rabbit’s story.
At the end, after he escapes, vibrant colors make their return for the finale! Did you know that Critter Country was originally known as Bear Country?
The name of the area was changed in 1988 when Splash Mountain was under construction. We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip back in time, to celebrate Disneyland’s iconic ride.
Tomorrow, work begins to transform it into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. That being said, fans will always have their memories of Disneyland’s original, Splash Mountain.