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

[LittleBuford]

I disagree with your interpretation of Signature Element. The drop is the image most people have in their heads when they think of Splash. It’s the Money Shot, the image Disney uses in all their media to promote it. It’s the thing everyone photographs. The drop is the iconic signature element of Splash Mountain, just as Cinderella Castle is MK’s signature element. It’s the first image that pops into mind when the subject is mentioned.

I agree with others on this: it was the theming rather than the drop that rendered Splash Mountain so special and distinctive. I hope Tiana's Bayou Adventure maintains that distinction.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I disagree with your interpretation of Signature Element. The drop is the image most people have in their heads when they think of Splash. It’s the Money Shot, the image Disney uses in all their media to promote it. It’s the thing everyone photographs. The drop is the iconic signature element of Splash Mountain, just as Cinderella Castle is MK’s signature element. It’s the first image that pops into mind when the subject is mentioned.

By all means then, gut the interior so it's just a concrete flume riding through dark steel hallways. See if most people still consider that to be remotely as fun.

The drop is fun and looks cool. It's not what gives the ride staying power though. If that was all it had going for it, relatively few people would be remotely as upset about this overhaul. The interior scenes are what makes the ride stand out and places it far above any other log flume out there.

When I first road it as a kid, I didn't have any idea that it was going to be a fully fledged immersive dark ride inside. I just figured it would be a prettier take on the log flumes i'd ridden elsewhere. I didn't know there would be impressive interior scenes with amazingly detailed sets and tons of animatronics with a narrative progression, and those were what made it spectacular and one of my favorite rides of all time. It needs those scenes far more than it needs the big drop.

 

[Rich T]

I agree with others on this: it was the theming rather than the drop that rendered Splash Mountain so special and distinctive. I hope Tiana's Bayou Adventure maintains that distinction.

Yes. Certainly. But the drop is the … what term would make everyone happy? “Iconic Image?”
“Most Photographed part of the ride?” “Money Shot?”

I’m not referring to what makes the ride special. I’m referring to the mental image that instantly pops into most people’s minds at the mention of “Splash Mountain.”

 

[SNS]

The drop is 110% not the signature element I can get a similar drop at amusement parks across the nation….there’s even a few very well done flumes. The signature element was the show scenes and story.

Yeah, if you just want the thrill of the drop there's plenty of other flume rides that drop you from higher places. You don't even have to go far for that. Both of the competition that tweeted (Journey to Atlantis at Sea World and Dudley Do Right at Islands of Adventure) have taller drops.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Hopefully Moana’s waterfalls in Epcot will be icing on the cake.

Swiss Family Moanahouse?

 

[Rich T]

By all means then, gut the interior so it's just a concrete flume riding through dark steel hallways. See if most people still consider that to be remotely as fun.

The drop is fun and looks cool. It's not what gives the ride staying power though. If that was all it had going for it, relatively few people would be remotely as upset about this overhaul. The interior scenes are what makes the ride stand out and places it far above any other log flume out there. When I first road it as a kid, I didn't have any idea that it was going to be a fully fledged dark ride inside. I just figured it would be a bit of a fancier looking log flume that i'd ridden elsewhere. The interior scenes are what made it one of my favorite rides of all time. It needs those scenes far more than it needs the big drop.

Please see my response to LittleBuford.

 

[Midwest Elitist]

Yes. Certainly. But the drop is the … what term would make everyone happy? “Iconic Image?”
“Most Photographed part of the ride?” “Money Shot?”

I’m not referring to what makes the ride special. I’m referring to the mental image that instantly pops into most people’s minds at the mention of “Splash Mountain.”

You're forgetting the visual of disappearing into the briar patch as well.

 

[LittleBuford]

I’m not referring to what makes the ride special. I’m referring to the mental image that instantly pops into most people’s minds at the mention of “Splash Mountain.”

But that image itself—with the rock work, tree stump, and briar patch—speaks to (or rather spoke to) the highly themed environment that characterised the entire ride. It announced itself to be more than just another log flume.

 

[Rich T]

You're forgetting the visual of disappearing into the briar patch as well.

That’s part of the overall drop experience/image. I’m not sure how much of that effect will be worked into the new version

 

[SNS]

You're forgetting the visual of disappearing into the briar patch as well.

When I was a little kid, I didn't get how physics worked and was worried I would be thrown from the log into the briar patch.

 

[Incomudro]

Part of me wouldn't mind if they need to demo the whole thing. I'd prefer they start from scratch instead of having to shoehorn the new ride into the existing space. I think the project would turn out much better that way.

I fear that if that were the case, that like 20K - the entire project would be abandoned and become Tiana's grotto.

 

[38053WDW]

Yeah, Pecos Bill can become Tiana's Palace.

I always thought it would have bee nice for her own ride/ restaurant ... you could walk over to it (beind BTM) or take the steamboat over to it with and new dock to let you off for the restaurant ...

 

[Rich T]

But that image itself—with the rock work, tree stump, and briar patch—speaks to (or rather spoke to) the highly themed environment that characterised the entire ride. It announced itself to be more than just another log flume.

Okay… goodness… Let me be perfectly clear: When I say “the drop” I don’t mean just the bare-bones flume. I mean the complete visual package when you look at it. Tiana’s version of the exterior drop will have different specific details, but I’m confident the overall visual impact will be quite similar/on par with/high quality/the Money Shot.

 

[LittleBuford]

Okay… goodness… Let me be perfectly clear: When I say “the drop” I don’t mean just the bare-bones flume. I mean the complete visual package when you look at it. Tiana’s version of the exterior drop will have different specific details, but I’m confident the overall visual impact will be quite similar/on par with/high quality/the Money Shot.

I tend to agree, though I can't say I love the idea of a crowned water tower. Hopefully the final design will be more impressive than the concept art suggests.

 

[Tha Realest]

Okay… goodness… Let me be perfectly clear: When I say “the drop” I don’t mean just the bare-bones flume. I mean the complete visual package when you look at it. Tiana’s version of the exterior drop will have different specific details, but I’m confident the overall visual impact will be quite similar/on par with/high quality/the Money Shot.

How can you suggest theming is immaterial and replaceable but then say what’s impressive is the “complete visual package”?

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

That’s part of the overall drop experience/image. I’m not sure how much of that effect will be worked into the new version

Well, the briar patch is being removed outright and replaced by "soft" looking foliage (grass and bushes). Visually speaking, it certainly won't have the sort of intimidation factor that the thorns had.

 

[SNS]

Well, the briar patch is being removed outright and replaced by "soft" looking foliage (grass and bushes). Visually speaking, it certainly won't have the sort of intimidation factor that the thorns had.

One of the weirder parts of this whole thing for me that is they are trying to dress up the whole thing as more friendly (apparently the lift hill will also be cheery as well) but... well they are still dropping you. The tone of these things feels off.

 

[38053WDW]

I disagree with your interpretation of Signature Element. The drop is the image most people have in their heads when they think of Splash. It’s the Money Shot, the image Disney uses in all their media to promote it. It’s the thing everyone photographs. The drop is the iconic signature element of Splash Mountain, just as Cinderella Castle is MK’s signature element. It’s the first image that pops into mind when the subject is mentioned.

Yep that view of the Castle at the top of the drop - yea .. that was planned !

 

[Tha Realest]

One of the weirder parts of this whole thing for me that is they are trying to dress up the whole thing as more friendly (apparently the lift hill will also be cheery as well) but... well they are still dropping you. The tone of these things feels off.

It’s almost like it’s being tonally and thematically shoved into a bad fit

 

[MisterPenguin]

Part of me wouldn't mind if they need to demo the whole thing.

We can rebuild it. We have the technology. Flatter. Marshier. The Six Hundred Million Dollar Flume!

Also we can make the now height appropriate 'drop' face a better sightline: The swamp surrounding MK.