Dear Prudence
Well-Known Member
I've been watching videos of both the WDW and the Tokyo one, and I can't believe I am saying this, but, aside from Tokyo being kept up way more, I actually prefer the WDW one. 
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News Splash Mountain retheme to Princess and the Frog - Tiana's Bayou Adventure
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I've been watching videos of both the WDW and the Tokyo one, and I can't believe I am saying this, but, aside from Tokyo being kept up way more, I actually prefer the WDW one.
I agree. I think there are some things I am just used to as well and it is a mirror image which already just feels off because of what I am accustomed to.
The fact that Splash Mountain has a Restaurant tie in over in Japan instead of a Briar Patch gift shop is certainly neat and unique though.
Dear Prudence
Well-Known Member
I think for me, I just always saw that Tokyo was kept up better and the
of the Tokyo Disneyland magic really does soak you in. I still love TDL's Splash. I love that the whole attraction works lol. I really don't like the rope tie as Brer Rabbit's belt. I generally dislike the grey fur on Brer Rabbit, too-- it's more generic and less BRER Rabbit, IMO. But if all of WDW's worked, I think it would provide the better narrative.
MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
Tokyo's is somewhat of a hybrid of the versions at WDW and DL, with some unique differences of its own. The ride system uses the double-rowed boats and a mirrored track layout from WDW. It also has WDW's improved character designs and intricate rockwork. And uses the southern bluegrass versions of the songs from WDW.
However, Tokyo's environment is a lot more similar to DL. Once again taking place in a bayou instead of WDW's hilly green farmland and blue skies. Unlike DL though, Tokyo's scenes are lit much more brightly and the walls are better filled out with detailed paint and rockwork instead of being a black void. So it still received more detailed and polished scenery than DL.
What makes Tokyo stand out to me is the emphasis on caverns. The loading area is entirely enclosed inside a cave, you enter a cave before and during the first small drop, and more of the flume immediately after the big drop travels under tunnels of rockwork instead of being open. The large flooded underground cavern in the bottom most level of the Laughing Place just before the final lift is also drastically different in terms of design. It's a very brightly lit pink color with smooth faced rockwork. I'm actually not a fan of this change and prefer the versions at both DL and WDW by far.
While Tokyo has a handful of the improvements from WDW's version and is obviously in immensely better condition than either of the other two, I still prefer WDW's version to it (again comparing them all in their prime physical condition). It just has the best interior scenes overall by a wide margin. Far more faithful to the beautiful environments of the original film-
But at least Tokyo will ensure there is still SOME version of the ride left in the world if they go through with the PATF retheme at the US parks. And it will likely continue to be well taken care of by the management there.
However, Tokyo's environment is a lot more similar to DL. Once again taking place in a bayou instead of WDW's hilly green farmland and blue skies. Unlike DL though, Tokyo's scenes are lit much more brightly and the walls are better filled out with detailed paint and rockwork instead of being a black void. So it still received more detailed and polished scenery than DL.
What makes Tokyo stand out to me is the emphasis on caverns. The loading area is entirely enclosed inside a cave, you enter a cave before and during the first small drop, and more of the flume immediately after the big drop travels under tunnels of rockwork instead of being open. The large flooded underground cavern in the bottom most level of the Laughing Place just before the final lift is also drastically different in terms of design. It's a very brightly lit pink color with smooth faced rockwork. I'm actually not a fan of this change and prefer the versions at both DL and WDW by far.
While Tokyo has a handful of the improvements from WDW's version and is obviously in immensely better condition than either of the other two, I still prefer WDW's version to it (again comparing them all in their prime physical condition). It just has the best interior scenes overall by a wide margin. Far more faithful to the beautiful environments of the original film-
But at least Tokyo will ensure there is still SOME version of the ride left in the world if they go through with the PATF retheme at the US parks. And it will likely continue to be well taken care of by the management there.
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Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
One of the best things about Tokyo's Splash Mountain isn't the ride itself, but the two level counter service restaurant located elsewhere in the mountain; Grandma Sara's Kitchen.
It's even well integrated into The Haunted Mansion's queue (brick building to the left):
GoneForGood
Well-Known Member
Slightly off topic...but--
Does anyone know why and when they swapped the heads/molds/masks for the Brer rabbit figures throughout the attraction? Older photos and videos depict him looking very different than he does now. For instance, the final figure used to blink and sit up a little higher.
Does anyone know why and when they swapped the heads/molds/masks for the Brer rabbit figures throughout the attraction? Older photos and videos depict him looking very different than he does now. For instance, the final figure used to blink and sit up a little higher.
tanc
Premium Member
I'll never forget when Not So Scary Halloween Party wasn't super crowded and being able to ride Splash like 10 times in a row with no waits. Some of the best times ever with the ride. I wonder if that will change due to princess and the frog and the ride will become even more popular.
Dear Prudence
Well-Known Member
I think they changed Disneyland's when they redid the logs. Was there ever a time where they redid WDW's?
Dear Prudence
Well-Known Member
Having it be a lightening lane option is vomit inducing.
Found this really nice scan of a Splash poster if anyone wants a new wallpaper
Midwest Elitist
Well-Known Member
Would make a good cartoon intro.
Movielover
Well-Known Member
FTFY!
That was the photo op cover from the 90's. I have one of those at home with our on-ride pic, I think 96.
Disney4Lyfe
Well-Known Member
What is wrong with Splash? I see many posts about it being in deplorable condition. Details?
erasure fan1
Well-Known Member
Yea I remember that but with e-nights. They would just ask us, do you want go again? And we would just stay in the log and go again and again. And all for $13. It's amazing how things change.
I will post some later when I am home. There are social media groups sharing it. I usually can brush off things that are here or there missed, but these are bad. Like broken themed light fixtures on the ride path and things that should not be exposed. Even the cloth that hangs over the tunnel home was/is broken all on the same ride through. In some parts, there is no audio at all. Ironically, I have seen the frog and turtle laughing place much worse.
Many many animatronics are either barely moving or not moving at all, lights are out all over the ride, audio is messed up for several scenes (Br'er Bear with the beehive, Br'er Fox cave before the drop, Br'er Gator in the finale, for example). Of course this is a shame but given it just came back from refurbishment theres absolutely no reason for it to be in this poor of condition.
It's almost like they are trying to keep it in terrible condition, which could get guests to complain about it to GS, which could then be
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