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

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

I liken the concept art examples shown thus far to crappy cinematography and the tactics post production editors employ to hint at detail when there is none and to hide bad CGI by putting characters in the shadows or making the scene take place at night. Disney seems to be doing the same here. No new content just a retread of the previous concept art right down to the same fireflies and same moody nighttime aesthetic showing us nothing new and frankly nothing at all.

This is telling. Makes me think we'll be treated to screenz instead of sets, using "darkness" as the justification. Definitely getting Na'vi River Journey vibes. Here's hoping we get more AAs than that one.

 

[UNCgolf]

I liken the concept art examples shown thus far to crappy cinematography and the tactics post production editors employ to hint at detail when there is none and to hide bad CGI by putting characters in the shadows or making the scene take place at night. Disney seems to be doing the same here. No new content just a retread of the previous concept art right down to the same fireflies and same moody nighttime aesthetic showing us nothing new and frankly nothing at all.

This is telling. Makes me think we'll be treated to screenz instead of sets, using "darkness" as the justification. Definitely getting Na'vi River Journey vibes. Here's hoping we get more AAs than that one.

I'd be very pleasantly surprised if the sets in this ride were even close to being on the level of Na'vi River Journey.

Definitely needs more AAs than NRJ, though.

 

[Kirby86]

It's concept art for concept art.

According to that concept art we will still be sitting in logs. I guess they're going to ask the cast members for overtime to buff out B'rer Rabbits face from the logs.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Beyond the awkward storyline and the potential issues with execution, the WDW version really does feel like an afterthought.

The discussion places a heavy emphasis on New Orleans and what it means to people and Disney history. But that's largely irrelevant at WDW where the only truly New Orleans thing is a hotel several miles from Magic Kingdom.

As I said from when this was first announced, this feels like a pitch for Disneyland that they felt obligated (for various reasons) to do in Florida as well, regardless of whether that makes the most sense for WDW specifically. Others have pointed out the need for additional capacity, the superior quality of Splash here, the lack of New Orleans Square and the space for expansion. WDI doesn't seem to care.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

We are living in the worst timeline… chances this gets canceled at WDW now?

 

[LittleBuford]

We are living in the worst timeline… chances this gets canceled at WDW now?

I very much doubt it'll get cancelled now that they've released further details.

 

[DCLcruiser]

We are living in the worst timeline… chances this gets canceled at WDW now?

Why would they do that? But let's focus on the money. The new IP allows for expanded merchandise, a sequel movie, Disney+ shows, toys, toys and more toys that just wouldn't be done with the Br'er characters.

Plus, now you can put in a New Orleans style restaurant near Splash. Either the queue/gift shop/photo area can become a French Quarter or they could reimagine Pacos Bills into NO (and I go to PBs every trip to MK).

And yes it works at WDW because Frontierland is west of the Mississippi and New Orleans splits the difference between the West and Adventureland (Pirates of the Caribbean).

 

[tanc]

I really think it's going to look incredibly out of place in WDW, at least Disneyland can try to say it's part of New Orleans Square... but they can't for WDW. Splash mountain the first thing you see when you enter Frontierland normally so it probably will be pretty jarring. I think OLC took one look and thought about how awful it would be to put it in critter country since they have no real new Orleans square. The closest inspiration to New Orleans design is pirates and that's pretty far from critter country. I think the entire land would have to be completely redesigned which just isn't very feasible.

And that's another thing, what's the whole point of critter country if they basically will transform Splash into a new Orleans square attraction?

 

[DCLcruiser]

I really think it's going to look incredibly out of place in WDW, at least Disneyland can try to say it's part of New Orleans Square... but they can't for WDW. Splash mountain the first thing you see when you enter Frontierland normally so it probably will be pretty jarring. I think OLC took one look and thought about how awful it would be to put it in critter country since they have no real new Orleans square. The closest inspiration to New Orleans design is pirates and that's pretty far from critter country. I think the entire land would have to be completely redesigned which just isn't very feasible.

And that's another thing, what's the whole point of critter country if they basically will transform Splash into a new Orleans square attraction?

The mountain probably won't look any different. Maybe add some Spanish Moss and put a small boat on top. Most of the NO stuff can be behind the walls, or like I said, use Pacos Bill and then it's just the corner of the park that's NO.

We don't have Critter Country in WDW.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Especially if they end up charging extra for it with Lighting Lane and/or having it be virtual queue only, therefore making it more difficult for the people who want to ride it to do so.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

Especially if they end up charging extra for it with Lighting Lane and/or having it be virtual queue only, therefore making it more difficult for the people who want to ride it to do so.

AND Tokyo is allowed to keep theirs.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

And just in time, I was thinking poor Disney wasn't going to make enough money by cutting entertainment, implementing Genie+, Magic Keys, and no Magical Express!

 

[Sir_Cliff]

The mountain probably won't look any different. Maybe add some Spanish Moss and put a small boat on top. Most of the NO stuff can be behind the walls, or like I said, use Pacos Bill and then it's just the corner of the park that's NO.

We don't have Critter Country in WDW.

I think of all the concerns, the idea that the mountain exterior will suddenly clash with the rest of Frontierland is the one I understand the least. If anything, the mountain exterior is a bit of an odd fit for an attraction set in a bayou. As you say, I'm sure it will fit about as much after the redo as it does now as the changes aren't that extreme.

I also honestly hope that any re-theming to New Orleans/Louisiana happens beyond the railway track. I don't see any need to re-theme any of the existing Frontierland shops or restaurants, which I think would look a little odd if they were to leave the rest of them more or less the same.

 

[DisneyDodo]

And sounds like they are literally removing one of the magic kingdom "mountains" from the lineup. or... sounds like we need to get ready for "Mardi Gras Mountain".

My choice of name would be "Splash Bayou." It retains the "Splash" of the original and replaces one geographical feature with another. Using the word "mountain" would just feel so out of place for an attraction whose location in the swamps of New Orleans is so integral to its character (I know there are no mountains in SotS either, but Chickapin Hill is close enough, and the ride's general location isn't all that important anyway). It could still maintain "Disney mountain" status without "mountain" in the name, the same way the Matterhorn, EE, and 7DMT do.

Knowing Disney marketing, they'd have to append the obligatory subtitle, so something like "Splash Bayou: Tiana's Mardi Gras Adventure"

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Why would they do that? But let's focus on the money. The new IP allows for expanded merchandise, a sequel movie, Disney+ shows, toys, toys and more toys that just wouldn't be done with the Br'er characters.

Plus, now you can put in a New Orleans style restaurant near Splash. Either the queue/gift shop/photo area can become a French Quarter or they could reimagine Pacos Bills into NO (and I go to PBs every trip to MK).

And yes it works at WDW because Frontierland is west of the Mississippi and New Orleans splits the difference between the West and Adventureland (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Wait, you think this re-theme is going to result in a net positive financially for TWDC? They aren't even going to break even on it.

 

[Figments Friend]

So perhaps things have changed, but last I was aware.....

Disneyland's 'original Splash Mountain' has always been the primary planned target for this 'PaTF' overlay.
Every other version is secondary.

The WDC was hoping Tokyo Disneyland would say 'yes' to having there version of 'Splash Mountain' changed into the proposed re-do, but the owners balked and told Disney to take a hike.
Tokyo said "we are not interested in changing our version, and love it just the way it is".
So a big 'NO'.
'Song of The Song' is not considered 'sensitive material' in Japan, and the characters are well known there since the film has been readily available officially for decades.

Disney was hoping to use the money Tokyo's owners would provide to finance the change to also cover some of the costs associated with the re-do for Walt Disney World's 'Splash Mountain'.
In short, use the investment to help pay for both projects.
The plan I heard was it was to be a direct cloning between the two, and re- using the same Show scenes and new figures for both Parks.
If Tokyo said yes, their money would be used to pay for designing and building the new sets and figures, with duplicates made for WDW's version.
Since Tokyo said no, I was told the chances of WDW getting the changes has dropped considerably.
Orlando doesn't want to foot the bill for the changes, even more so now that it will cost them more money since the designed and pre-fabricated sets and figures aren't being developed for Tokyo.

Disneyland in CA however is still the primary target.
Why they couldn't just clone scenes / sets / figures between the Mountains at DLR and WDW is anyone's guess...( personally, I'd rather they not....)
But of the three, Disneyland's is the more likely version to get 'changed'.



This was several months ago that i last heard about this project.
Like I said earlier, things may well have changed.
They almost always do...exspecially this early in the game.
We shall see.

I personally would rather they keep the WDW and Tokyo versions of 'Splash Mountain' as is.
I adore 'the original' at Disneyland, as it is unique...and was the very first version created.
Despite that appeal, of the three I think some folks would agree it's the 'lesser' experience.
Even Tony Baxter himself prefers the Tokyo version in comparison to 'his own' version at Disneyland.

-

 

[RSoxNo1]

FWIW, I was answering a question in the Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog thread but I really don't have an issue with this change. As a fan of Splash Mountain I will absolutely miss the attraction, but I understand the fuel for change. The issue I have with it is the lack of confidence I have in current leadership to do this correctly. They can absolutely do this and do this right where Splash Mountain: Tiana's Bayou Adventure Starring Figment is a step above Splash Mountain. They could also go the other way.

 

[DisneyDodo]

My guess is they will hold off on starting construction on WDW's version until after DL's opens and they can get a read on the guest satisfaction, impact on attendance, and PatF merch sales. But ultimately, I do think it will happen.

 

[RSoxNo1]

My guess is they will hold off on starting construction on WDW's version until after DL's opens and they can get a read on the guest satisfaction, impact on attendance, and PatF merch sales. But ultimately, I do think it will happen.

I am guessing this is the case.

 

[DisneyDodo]

Is it possible Disney plans to clone the Belle lantern animatronic for Tiana in this scene?