Construction crews have begun tearing into the top of the former Splash Mountain at Disneyland, as work continues toward the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction.

Say Farewell to the Splash Mountain Tree

As we shared with you in a construction update last month, scaffolding and scrim had climbed to reach the top of the former Splash Mountain at Disneyland.

While the scaffolding does obscure most of the mountaintop, you can clearly see that the tree at the top is being dismantled, piece by piece.

Florida’s version of the attraction had its tree removed back in April.

While the tree was originally part of concept art for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a model on display at D23 Expo 2022 revealed that the it would be removed in favor of something more attuned to the Louisiana landscape.

The tree itself is massive, and cannot be removed all in one go, so this could take some time.

The scaffolding also extends part of the way down the ride’s iconic drop.

Scaffolding also wraps around the entire top of the mountain, giving crews the ability to work on removing the tree from all angles.

Additional scaffolding can also be seen extending toward the back of the mountain, as work on re-theming the ride continues.

Here’s another angle of where the tree once was atop the mountain. Eventually, it will be entirely removed, though scaffolding and scrims could stay up for a longer period of time.

Splash Mountain at Disneyland closed permanently on May 31. We also have a complete history of Splash Mountain at Disney Parks for greater details on the lifespan of this iconic attraction.

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 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.

Are you excited for this transformation? Sad to see the iconic tree disappear? Let us know in the comments.

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