Work on transforming Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is moving fast, with the attraction set to open in 2024. Today, crews brought in a large crane and carved a hole in the rockwork.
Splash Mountain closed permanently on January 23, 2023. The log flume ride system will remain, but much of the façade and inside of the attraction will be changed.
The construction walls are stamped with references to the upcoming attraction, with a logo for the Southern Dome Salt Company, “Louisiana,” and “Please keep dry.”
A large hole has been cut into the rockwork flanking the track, just past the bridge.
It’s unclear if this is the start of rockwork demolition or an access point to the ride system.
Splash Mountain was in need of a refurbishment for many mechanical elements and effects. While many of the effects will likely be removed, the mechanical repairs will still need to happen.
The hole is visible on the right hand side when standing on the bridge.
Markings have been added on the rockwork for the crews to reference.
A large crane was brought in to remove the portion of the rockwork. After, it was staged at the attraction for future use.
Most of the large signs and props, such as the Br’er statues, remain in place. However, crews were removing boxes from inside the attraction today. They are likely relocating historical props for storage before general demolition begins.
The Laughing Place sign has been removed from the nearby play area, which otherwise remains open at this time. The pressed penny machine featuring Splash Mountain designs was removed initially, but has since been relocated.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will replace Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland Park in California. A closing date for the Disneyland ride has not been announced, but rumors indicate it will close in May.
The attraction takes place after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” Tiana’s Foods is an employee-owned community food co-op established by Tiana in 1927, following the success of her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. The co-op is housed inside a salt mine, with growers planting crops along the old Splash Mountain waterway. Guests will ascend through a mill house built into the side of the mountain.
Tiana’s Palace will replace the French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square. Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets, a shop featuring “The Princess and the Frog” merchandise as well as New Orleans-related items, is already open.
According to the model pictured above, the iconic tree will be removed from atop the ride. Not only that, the boat stuck in the tree that was in the original concept art for Tiana’s attraction is also gone, because it doesn’t fit the new backstory. There are also no thorns, of course, and some extra landscaping makes it look “more” like a Louisiana bayou.
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The post PHOTOS: Crane Arrives at Splash Mountain as Disney Starts Tearing Through Façade to Create Tiana’s Bayou Adventure appeared first on WDW News Today.