Wow, it's been a long time since I've last talked about my ideas for Disney World, but recent news and the latest SYWTBAI prompt has lit a light bulb for me. As we've all heard, Splash Mountain will soon shed its
Song of the South basis in favor of
The Princess and the Frog. Now, at Disneyland, it's a natural choice given that New Orleans Square is right next door to their Splash Mountain. But in the Magic Kingdom? Well, Splash Mountain has always sort of stuck out like a sore thumb, going from a Southwestern town to the Deep South. What to do? Well, here's how I'd set things up.
This is the area I'm working with. I think this gives enough space to do something really cool.
First and foremost, I'd take a road many people are going down. I'd turn Pecos Bill Cafe into
Tiana's Palace. It would be a brilliant two-story restaurant, just like in the movie. And is it big? Of course! Not only does it take up much of the space of the Pecos Bill Cafe, but it'd also take up much of the space of Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland. Plus, it'd really be something to be able to look out at the Rivers of America from the second level! Now, on the Frontierland side, the space not affected by Tiana's Palace would be the Pecos Bill entrance and the Town Hall facade. Basically, everything on the left-hand side of the Pecos Bill entrance accessed from the seating area would be spared. But what would it become? I'm glad you asked. I'd restore that part back into the Mile Long Bar. In fact, the only reason it closed before was so Pecos Bill could expand his cafe!
Of course, I don't want to cut Pecos out of Frontierland completely, so I'd make him the new owner of the joint.
Pecos Bill's Mile Long Bar sounds like a good name to me! Like before, mirrors help to give the illusion that the bar is indeed a mile long. And since it's right nearby the Country Bear Jamboree, you can find Melvin, Max and Buff on the walls, singing and conversing with guests. Plus, look at some of the portraits proudly displayed: there's Pecos Bill atop Widowmaker, Slue Foot Sue, Casey Jones, John Henry, Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan.
The streets leading from Caribbean Plaza to the main meat of Frontierland would be decked out in the New Orleans style. Not only would it help establish New Orleans as the "Paris of the West", but it makes sense because seeing the parade pass by these New Orleans buildings would give one the feeling of being a part of Mardi Gras! Many of the shops and winding passageways of New Orleans Square at Disneyland would be replicated here. Of course, one can meet the various characters from the film--Tiana, Naveen, Louis, Charlotte, and even Dr. Facilier--in this part of the area.
The area behind the railroad station would also become part of the New Orleans sub-area. The restrooms are removed and the picture shop becomes a part of what was once the Briar Patch shop (which, of course, becomes a shop themed around
The Princess and the Frog).
This is kind of a pipe dream for me, but I'd love to replicate the
La Bouff Mansion as part of this area. Why? Because I think the gardens/masquerade ball area behind the house
(it would either be built from the side, or from the back) would be perfect for parties. Think of it: masquerade balls being held during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party...and even during Mardi Gras! Who wouldn't want to dance the night away with the
Princess and the Frog gang, plus a few special guests -- namely, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy dressed in their Mardi Gras best? And for character-hunters, these masquerade balls could offer a chance to meet Charlotte in her ballgown and Tiana in her blue gown. Plus, Disney could make bank using that area for wedding receptions and other such events!
Plus, one big reason why I chose to do this set-up is because of the pathway that goes along the edge of Splash Mountain. In this set-up, this is the path that separates New Orleans from the Western town. Additional barriers would help to naturally separate this part from the rest of the land (for example, extended rockwork in the style of Splash Mountain would be found along the path leading towards Big Thunder Mountain.
I didn't lay it down in the picture, but surely, the WDW Railroad station would be re-themed at some point. I imagine it'd blend together both New Orleans and "Western" styles. For example, I think that the original railroad station is just generic enough to pass off as both "Western" and as "New Orleans".
What do you guys think?
