News Splash Mountain retheme to Princess and the Frog - Tiana's Bayou Adventure

[UNCgolf]

I'm still hung-up on the transition from PatF to Big Thunder. Adding New Orleans elements by the train station is one thing... I think a new mini land is a fine idea. But it still doesn't really address the disharmonious theme transitions from PatF to Big Thunder. The only thing I can think of to effectively transition the land would be to - now for the blasphemous, dangerous thinking- retheme Big Thunder. Should WDI look at retheming Big Thunder to better fit the land? A cypress timber/logging company perhaps to tie into the log flume attraction next door?

There is absolutely no chance they do this. That's a lot of additional money that they won't want to spend (and that needs to be spent elsewhere).

 

[GoofGoof]

Hmm. Maybe.

If the budget is as low as rumored I don’t see how they have the money to redo much on the outside of the mountain. There’s likely not enough to do a proper gutting of the inside plus the queue. From the one piece of concept art it looks like maybe a paint job and a boat in a tree??? Not much to go on, but the outside of the mountain looks pretty similar.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Re: Budget
Even is $50 M is the number (which I honestly don’t know, but it sounds a little too low to me).
Remember that the exterior isn’t even changing too much, and one of the reason Frozenstrom had issues was the ride infrastructure (which I believe Splash’s many refurbishments have already done the brunt of the work on).

Based on the concept art, the exterior seems to be changing quite a bit, as it no longer looks like a mountain (and honestly, shouldn't because it's New Orleans). Especially in WDW the exterior is particularly rockier than DL's version.

 

[Plutomickey24]

I love Splash Mountain the way it is. I do think that Tiana deserves her own ride or restaurant though. My opinion is they could that by retheming Liberty Square. They could make it New Orleans. Haunted Mansion will still fit in. They make the Rivers of America a Bayou and the River Boat brings you through the Bayou scene in the movie where you meet Louis and the Firefly (Can't remember his name). There could be a spot that's all of the fireflies all lit up to welcome you. Then you join Louis in a concert on the River Boat. They could have animatronics that come up from the floor and play music and then the Fireflies fly around you during the performance. Columbia Harbor House could be rethemed to a New Orleans style quick service location and Hall of President's could become Tiana's Place. Just my opinion

 

[_caleb]

Just broaden the categories. Get rid of the problematic "frontier" and make everything from HM to BTMR to PotC "The American Experience" which would include the mini-lands of Liberty Square, Mississippi Valley, The Caribbean, Southwest Mountains, and whatever Haunted Mansion is.

Then rename Adventure Land to "World Adventure" to distinguish it from the domestic experience.

I was totally with you until "World Adventure." What is this, Epcot?

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Based on the concept art, the exterior seems to be changing quite a bit, as it no longer looks like a mountain (and honestly, shouldn't because it's New Orleans). Especially in WDW the exterior is particularly rockier than DL's version.

Exactly the concern. If Splash no longer has the same redrock paint job it no longer fits. Renaming the land doesn't work and neither does adding a New Orleans area behind or adjacent to Splash. Whatever they decide I hope they consider an increased budget for WDW's Splash Mountain. It's going to need it unless TDO no longer cares about thematic integrity and transition between lands and attractions.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I was totally with you until "World Adventure." What is this, Epcot?

I'd call it "Jungle Land," but then that would just be Animal Kingdom!

 

[TeriofTerror]

I love Splash Mountain the way it is. I do think that Tiana deserves her own ride or restaurant though. My opinion is they could that by retheming Liberty Square. They could make it New Orleans. Haunted Mansion will still fit in. They make the Rivers of America a Bayou and the River Boat brings you through the Bayou scene in the movie where you meet Louis and the Firefly (Can't remember his name). There could be a spot that's all of the fireflies all lit up to welcome you. Then you join Louis in a concert on the River Boat. They could have animatronics that come up from the floor and play music and then the Fireflies fly around you during the performance. Columbia Harbor House could be rethemed to a New Orleans style quick service location and Hall of President's could become Tiana's Place. Just my opinion

My biggest issue with this is that MK's HM has a Dutch Gothic Revival feel that belongs more along the Hudson than in New Orleans, IMO.

 

[Cesar R M]

It can be called in honor of Prince Naveen and the late great Prince.

"The Ride formerly known as Splash Mountain"

of.. mald....onia....

 

[_caleb]

My biggest issue with this is that MK's HM has a Dutch Gothic Revival feel that belongs more along the Hudson than in New Orleans, IMO.

But HM hasn't ever "fit" with its surrounding area, has it?

 

[JTT]

Whatever they do, I hope they include Dr. Facilier. Every story needs a good villain.

 

[Parker in NYC]

But HM hasn't ever "fit" with its surrounding area, has it?

I've always thought HM works in MK. To me, Liberty Square is a little bit Philly, a little bit Boston, and a little bit Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley. It's a scramble but it's all there.

Granted, I'm the same idiot who thought Master Gracey was murdered, so make of it what you will.

 

[Jedijax719]

If they take the extra step and do something along these lines it becomes timeless and classic. IMO.

I favor transitioning from the Liberty Square Tavern to Splash in the same manner as the architecture transitions in Liberty Square. Subtle and effective. Following the Ohio/Mississippi Rivers thematically and over time along the waterway. Frontierland can go behind BTMRR. Parts can go to Fort Wilderness.

PS - this would fit TSI perfectly. Although TSI reimagined as Critter Country also works and would be my chioce. By raft, tunnel or moveable bridge.

This.

But of course a lot will probably have to do with the hopeful turnaround. If they want to get it done in 2 years, they will probably have to rush. There will obviously have to be a lengthy time SM will be closed. It's not the same kind of refurbishment as POTC with the red-headed lady. This is obviously a complete overhaul.

However, they can probably get away with not having to do massive overall structural work (just animated characters) if they keep the bayou theme intact for much of the ride. But I probably have NO idea what I am talking about and just throwing spitballs.

As for HM, it is ironic that this comes up here. The whole notion of haunted houses was something created in the early 1900's. Houses built in the 1600's, 1700's, and 1800's were still standing and were becoming increasingly dilapidated. Kids and teens would hang out there and vandalize them. So towns people would spook them to keep them out. That actually took place not far off from the time period that Tiana lived.

That said, though, it's too far from where Splash is to make a seamless turn of the century theme.

 

[_caleb]

I've always thought HM works in MK. To me, Liberty Square is a little bit Philly, a little bit Boston, and a little bit Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley. It's a scramble but it's all there.

Never thought of it like that. I like it.

 

[_caleb]

The Princess and the Frog retheme concept art shows the addition of a tree to the top of the mountain. To me, this makes seem like less of a, well, mountain, which seems to fit the new theme. I wonder if they're also going to address the question of scale/perspective by having Doctor Facilier turn the guests into frogs at the beginning of the ride (anyone remember "Adventure Thru Inner Space")?

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Since the other thread fell apart, I'm glad we have a thread that wont be a dumpster fire. But back to the ride, I'm super excited! Princess and the Frog is one of my favorite Disney movies! The movie truly deserves a ride and I'm glad it's getting the recognition it truly deserves.this There is so much potential for a truly great ride. I hope Disney goes all out!

 

[MisterPenguin]

My biggest issue with this is that MK's HM has a Dutch Gothic Revival feel that belongs more along the Hudson than in New Orleans, IMO.

None of the characters in HM have a Southern accent, except for during Halloween parties when they have actors out front portraying Madam Carlotta et al.

 

[Cesar R M]

The Princess and the Frog retheme concept art shows the addition of a tree to the top of the mountain. To me, this makes seem like less of a, well, mountain, which seems to fit the new theme. I wonder if they're also going to address the question of scale/perspective by having Doctor Facilier turn the guests into frogs at the beginning of the ride (anyone remember "Adventure Thru Inner Space")?

Or perhaps they send you to the "afterlife". I mean the drops.. could be the mouths of the spirits.

 

[FigmentJedi]

I've always thought HM works in MK. To me, Liberty Square is a little bit Philly, a little bit Boston, and a little bit Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley. It's a scramble but it's all there.

Granted, I'm the same idiot who thought Master Gracey was murdered, so make of it what you will.

Yeah, Haunted Mansion's placement in Liberty Square and its New England makeover is based on both Sleepy Hollow and the works of Edgar Allan Poe, as told in Since the World Began.

 

[Disney Maddux]

I'd call it "Jungle Land," but then that would just be Animal Kingdom!

Or just make all of it Adventureland, which could honestly work.