After fencing was removed a few weeks ago, crews have started tearing up the pavement of the Splash Mountain queue as the Magic Kingdom attraction is turned into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Splash Mountain Flume
Though we used to see most construction activity at this curve of the flume beneath the Frontierland bridge, there have been no changes in this area for several weeks.
Rockwork near the tunnels was completely demolished and re-made.
Scaffolding and other construction materials remain, confirming construction in this area is not complete.
Splash Mountain Façade
Scaffolding was erected a few weeks ago for the upcoming Tiana’s Foods water tower.
A crane parked backstage towered over the mountain during our recent visit.
Scaffolding covers most of the front of the mountain. Some fake trees were removed to make way for new theming that will turn the exterior into a Louisiana bayou.
We saw crew members next to the ride’s flume on the right side of the mountain, where another crane was visible.
The water tower will be in this area, in front of the mountain, and it looks like more scaffolding has been added for its installation.
A white tarp covers some of the mountain’s façade.
The tree on this side hasn’t been removed, although birdhouses were taken off it early on.
Crew members were working right around the tree, so it’s possible it will be removed soon.
The water tower will be installed this summer. Disney stated in a Celebrate Soulfully press release that guests will see it “soon.”
The Splash Mountain ride track will remain the same while the ride’s scenes and theming are completely overhauled.
Splash Mountain Side
On the side of the mountain, we have previously seen crew members repainting the red-orange clay-like façade.
Clear plastic tarps cover some steel framing surrounded by scaffolding.
This is directly below the tree that still stands.
Near the Walt Disney World Railroad station, we saw a crew member sculpting something along the rockwork and steel framing.
This is where scaffolding comes to an end.
Splash Mountain Queue
The most obvious recent construction work has been in the Splash Mountain queue, where pavement is being torn up to be replaced.
Concrete near the front of the queue has been broken up and dug out of the ground.
Piles of concrete pieces sit near the construction walls, waiting to be removed from the site.
Most horizontal fencing posts were removed, but some vertical posts remain.
Colored string wrapped around posts and trees marks them for removal.
White paint is splattered across the podium that was once used for FastPass and Lightning Lane.
We could also see a crew member with a bucket from the railroad station.
A piece of paper zip-tied to a post said “removal start” with an arrow pointing at some of the torn up concrete.
From the train, we saw where the queue has become a flat dirt space.
A digger vehicle is on site.
Crews have set up a makeshift workstation next to a pile of fencing.
Though plenty of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure concept art has been released, none shows what the queue will look like when completed.
Blue netting is in place at the edges of the dirt site where the pavement begins again.
Fencing remains at the back of the queue.
Plywood and ladders are also visible in the back.
A black tarp and blue fence are in front of the barn’s entrance.
A light hangs out of the barn’s upper window.
Some green pipes are staged in the queue.
Splash Mountain closed permanently in January 2023 at Magic Kingdom. Check out our photos and video from “the last splash” and read our complete history of Splash Mountain. The ride permanently closed in May at Disneyland.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” In 1927, Tiana founded the Tiana’s Foods co-ops, which is located in a salt mine, where cultivators grow crops along the waters. During Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana and alligator Louis venture into the bayou to find animal friends. They’re preparing a special Mardi Gras celebration for the people of New Orleans.
The scene depicted in the above concept art is “the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Louis and a band of animals will be playing zydeco music, a blend of rhythm and blues that was created in Louisiana. The band of animal friends includes an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle playing instruments made from natural bayou elements.
The ride will feature 17 new characters, including Prince Naveen’s younger brother, Ralphie. The Splash Mountain track will remain, but the attraction will get new set dressing and audio-animatronics. There will be multiple Tiana audio-animatronics, and she will have a new adventuring outfit.
The exterior landscaping is being made to look more like the Louisiana bayou, and a Tiana’s Foods water tower will be installed.
The queue and attraction music is being arranged by award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, who will mix classic songs from the movie with New Orleans classics and original compositions. The scent of beignets is also set to be pumped throughout the queue.
Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie). Concept art shows Mama Odie in the crow’s nest of her crashed ship home, with bottle lights hanging around her.
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