Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[celluloid]

I know I've said this before, but, like, why are guests okay with the decrepit state of not only this attraction, but any of them!? Tokyo has more 'extreme' weather conditions than any of the US parks, and everything in their parks is immaculate. Aren't guests supposed to be annoying whiners who are hot to complain about everything? Why is no one complaining that half of DLR is falling apart, Splash included? Like, are we missing something.....?

Good point. Because it has gone on for so long and many modern lifestylers grabbing to just nostalgia and never knowing any different as they moved close enough to go and or started going independently with frequency post 2003.

 

[Disney Irish]

Honestly if we're going just based on past experience with Disney then one only has to look at Submarine Voyage at Disneyland as an example. That attraction sat for 7 years with not a word on what was going to be done, just assumptions and rumors. Then they finally announced and started the 2 year construction on the retheme to Finding Nemo.

So really Disney could just close Splash now and let it sit for the next couple years while they complete the design of the retheme to PatF. Or people can just enjoy its remaining days knowing the retheme will happen eventually.

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

I know I've said this before, but, like, why are guests okay with the decrepit state of not only this attraction, but any of them!? Tokyo has more 'extreme' weather conditions than any of the US parks, and everything in their parks is immaculate. Aren't guests supposed to be annoying whiners who are hot to complain about everything? Why is no one complaining that half of DLR is falling apart, Splash included? Like, are we missing something.....?

While I do agree with this there are some attractions that seem to get more TLC than others whether as a result of ease of maintenance, Cal-OSHA limitations, TDA priorities or some other factor.

On average Pirates and HM, for instance, seem to be in better working condition compared to say Indy and Splash Mountain.

While some days are better than others Splash Mountain hasn’t really been in truly “great” show-ready operating condition in around 15 years. Even when most the AAs are working the show lighting is consistently a bit off, and their movement is very clunky. I also don’t recall when the mountain’s concrete exterior itself was last repainted but it looks like it’s been awhile.

 

[celluloid]

So really Disney could just close Splash now and let it sit for the next couple years while they complete the design of the retheme to PatF. Or people can just enjoy its remaining days knowing the retheme will happen eventually.

Everything will be rethemed or replaced eventually, so at a certain point. It does not really matter.

remaining days....which could actually be years and Disney fine raking in the money from its popularity in the mean time...hardly the company claiming it is problematic

 

[Professortango1]

Except for the ending Zippity-do-da boat scene, none of the actual show scenes take place in the mountain. They are in the show building behind the mountain.

View attachment 615263

They can completely gut the show building and even redo the flume layout in it as long as the entry point on the second floor (red arrow) and the lift hill start on the first floor (blue arrow) are in the same place.

Same with the end scene. It's a large show room that can be gutted and have things be replaced. Thinking about losing that scene makes me sad.

This is Disney we're talking about. Modern Disney. They are going to do the bare minimum because they know that crowds will eat it up for the next 3-5 years. Then another 5-10 years of it being another E-Ticket. Then its a piece of nostalgia for all the teens and 20-30 year olds starting a family. All for 1/4 of the cost of a new ride.

 

[Disney Irish]

Everything will be rethemed or replaced eventually, so at a certain point. It does not really matter.

remaining days....which could actually be years and Disney fine raking in the money from its popularity in the mean time...hardly the company claiming it is problematic

This is been gone over before, there is no proof that "its popularity" is from the SotS theme alone. Since there isn't a whole lot of merch being offered or sold at this point I also question how much Disney is really "raking in the money" from Splash any ways.

In addition there is no proof that the company no longer thinks its problematic just because it continues to run post-announcement.

 

[Midwest Elitist]

This is been gone over before, there is no proof that "its popularity" is from the SotS theme alone. Since there isn't a whole lot of merch being offered or sold at this point I also question how much Disney is really "raking in the money" from Splash any ways.

In addition there is no proof that the company no longer thinks its problematic just because it continues to run post-announcement.

This seems like a straw man. I don't believe previous comments have stated such, but the theme is definitely part of the reason it's popular. I get it's anecdotal evidence and all, but last time I was at WDW (December last year) in the Splash queue, kids were absolutely ecstatic about the pictures in the queue of the Brer's, as were the parents.

No, the theme doesn't make the ride, because it's only part of the full picture. The theme combined with the actual ride experience though, I believe, is what elevates it above a basic log flume ride. The WDW version slowly and almost silently transports you into the world, with the "How Do You Do" bluegrass cover filling the silence, and slowly adding in layers (first the banjo and slide guitar, then the birds and finally the vocals). Then the rest of the ride with the laughing place, the taunting eagles, the drop and finale. Then you're transported back to Frontierland. It's absolutely magical.

So I don't believe the theme is the reason for the popularity, solely. It's the masterful weaving of storytelling and ride elements which makes it so, and I fear Disney will not deliver anything up to the high standard this ride set.

 

[GoneForGood]

This seems like a straw man. I don't believe previous comments have stated such, but the theme is definitely part of the reason it's popular. I get it's anecdotal evidence and all, but last time I was at WDW (December last year) in the Splash queue, kids were absolutely ecstatic about the pictures in the queue of the Brer's, as were the parents.

No, the theme doesn't make the ride, because it's only part of the full picture. The theme combined with the actual ride experience though, I believe, is what elevates it above a basic log flume ride. The WDW version slowly and almost silently transports you into the world, with the "How Do You Do" bluegrass cover filling the silence, and slowly adding in layers (first the banjo and slide guitar, then the birds and finally the vocals). Then the rest of the ride with the laughing place, the taunting eagles, the drop and finale. Then you're transported back to Frontierland. It's absolutely magical.

So I don't believe the theme is the reason for the popularity, solely. It's the masterful weaving of storytelling and ride elements which makes it so, and I fear Disney will not deliver anything up to the high standard this ride set.

I will add, that the whole stretch of ride starting at the dip-drop, through the caverns/final drop and onto the end of the ride is some of the best storytelling I've ever seen on a thrill ride. (Though, I'm slightly biased...)

I love how the drops are quite "literal" to the elevation of the overall mountain and setting of the story, with each drop sending you deeper into the earth. Disneyland's being underground caverns beneath the swamp, and WDW's drops beneath the woods and into a flooded, abandoned mineshaft. And the Briar Patch plot point to accompany the drop is just so so perfect.
And it is also a very nice visual. The imagery of the drop just being in a random pond with some branches sticking out of it doesn't have the same "punch" or ominous threat that the sharp, thorny briars do.

Going off of that...The imagery that often accompanies the merch and poster this ride tends to feature the brer trio braving the drop. Usually with Fox and Bear terrified of what's coming, with Brer Rabbit depicted (usually) joyful or in laughter since the Briar Patch represents his freedom and outsmarting his foes, and it just feels so right. It perfectly displays the heart of the folktales and characters. It just works too perfectly.

I just fear that they'll go with a plot that doesn't really go that extra mile to give the drops a truly immersive flow like the current one does. But I am wishing to be proven wrong.

I agree with others when they say it is popular mainly for it's thrill factor and being a log flume at a Disney park, but I am honestly confused when I hear people say that the Brer story isn't at least a part of why the current attraction works so well.

 

[chadwpalm]

This is Disney we're talking about. Modern Disney. They are going to do the bare minimum because they know that crowds will eat it up for the next 3-5 years. Then another 5-10 years of it being another E-Ticket. Then its a piece of nostalgia for all the teens and 20-30 year olds starting a family. All for 1/4 of the cost of a new ride.

Oh, I agree 100%. I probably should have put a disclaimer that what I said is what they CAN do, not what they WILL do. I was just making the point that the bulk of the indoor parts of the attraction doesn't take place within the mountain itself. It is very doubtful they would alter the flume layout in any way within the show building.

 

[Professortango1]

Saying the theme of SM isn't important to the popularity of SM is like saying the theme of Big Thunder is important to the popularity of Big Thunder. It's a package deal. I enjoy the coaster track for Big Thunder, but if it was a bare coaster, I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as I do with the rockwork, animals, cave-in, caverns, etc. It makes the ride fun and unique and gives it a character.

Pirates and IASW are the same basic ride experience. Ride past AA characters and sets in a boat flume with an ear-worm song playing. They are very different experiences though and while I cannot stand IASW, I love Pirates. Both of which have limited merchandise tied to the ride itself.

Even when Splash was a brand new attraction it didn't have a ton of merch. It has the picture frames for the on-ride photo (obsolete now), plush of the three main characters, beach towels, and books. I had the books and the plushes myself.

 

[Disney Irish]

This seems like a straw man. I don't believe previous comments have stated such, but the theme is definitely part of the reason it's popular. I get it's anecdotal evidence and all, but last time I was at WDW (December last year) in the Splash queue, kids were absolutely ecstatic about the pictures in the queue of the Brer's, as were the parents.

No, the theme doesn't make the ride, because it's only part of the full picture. The theme combined with the actual ride experience though, I believe, is what elevates it above a basic log flume ride. The WDW version slowly and almost silently transports you into the world, with the "How Do You Do" bluegrass cover filling the silence, and slowly adding in layers (first the banjo and slide guitar, then the birds and finally the vocals). Then the rest of the ride with the laughing place, the taunting eagles, the drop and finale. Then you're transported back to Frontierland. It's absolutely magical.

So I don't believe the theme is the reason for the popularity, solely. It's the masterful weaving of storytelling and ride elements which makes it so, and I fear Disney will not deliver anything up to the high standard this ride set.

No one is claiming that theming isn't part of its popularity, just that theming ALONE isn't the reason for its continued popularity. Some posts have tried to insinuate that by its continued operation and popularity is proof that the theme is not problematic in Disney's eyes even though they claim otherwise. To which has been pointed out that theming isn't the sole reason for its popularity and thus no proof of anything other than its a popular attraction in Disney Parks.

Also just FYI this thread is in the DLR side of the forum not WDW.

 

[Dear Prudence]

Saying the theme of SM isn't important to the popularity of SM is like saying the theme of Big Thunder is important to the popularity of Big Thunder. It's a package deal. I enjoy the coaster track for Big Thunder, but if it was a bare coaster, I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as I do with the rockwork, animals, cave-in, caverns, etc. It makes the ride fun and unique and gives it a character.

Pirates and IASW are the same basic ride experience. Ride past AA characters and sets in a boat flume with an ear-worm song playing. They are very different experiences though and while I cannot stand IASW, I love Pirates. Both of which have limited merchandise tied to the ride itself.

Even when Splash was a brand new attraction it didn't have a ton of merch. It has the picture frames for the on-ride photo (obsolete now), plush of the three main characters, beach towels, and books. I had the books and the plushes myself.

Big Thunder and Splash were both Tony Baxter.

 

[celluloid]

This is been gone over before, there is no proof that "its popularity" is from the SotS theme alone. Since there isn't a whole lot of merch being offered or sold at this point I also question how much Disney is really "raking in the money" from Splash any ways.

In addition there is no proof that the company no longer thinks its problematic just because it continues to run post-announcement.

The fact that it is open and gets hours of waits a day. I assure you, they are not losing any sleep over showcasing it as one of their main most famous attractions on either coast.
Disney does not care what the popularity is from. They care about ROI. If anything, they are just hoping that Disney Plus series works out to give them hope.

Attendance, guest satisfaction and Genie Plus. Max Pass. The premium collector's items for sale on Main Street were still being sold just a couple of months ago. Attractions get budget based on various things. If it was a non starter or revenue creator for Disney, it would not be open. On Ride Photos are always a money maker. They have not rushed to change the graphics much even though that would be a simple change if they were really concerned about problematic things. They are choosing money and weighing their options.


And the merch aspect has been argued too. Plenty of attractions are short of merch and blah over the past six months. My last time there I could not even find a decent Space Mountain Shirt or hardly any attraction specific merch.

Splash's just went out of stock faster than others because of the created demand.

 

[Brer Panther]

They can completely gut the show building and even redo the flume layout in it as long as the entry point on the second floor (red arrow) and the lift hill start on the first floor (blue arrow) are in the same place.

Won't that still be incredibly expensive and time-consuming?

So in that sense, it would be harder to walk back than say, the MK Theatre on Main Street. To simply cancel the re-theme would not go over well.

True. But I suppose they could just keep postponing it without actually saying that it's cancelled until everyone forgets about the announcement. Not saying they will indeed do that, but it's an option.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Won't that still be incredibly expensive and time-consuming?

True. But I suppose they could just keep postponing it without actually saying that it's cancelled until everyone forgets about the announcement. Not saying they will indeed do that, but it's an option.

The casual fan might eventually forget but... social media would never let them hear the end of it.

 

[celluloid]

The casual fan might eventually forget but... social media would never let them hear the end of it.

Too funny. Yes. Disney totally cares about social media and what is said on it. The guy everyone slams on social media in no uncertain terms just gave himself a doubling raise to 32 million dollars a year. Get real. Disney does not care about what is said on Social Media, as long as the profits roll in. They are fine "never hearing the end of it" just like they never hear the end of a lot of things.

Social Media could have issues with Princess and The Frog before it even changes to that and Disney would not care.

Psst...It is not really what Disney cares about.

 

[Professortango1]

The casual fan might eventually forget but... social media would never let them hear the end of it.

Yeah, Twitter still hasn't let them off the hook for walking back on Gigantic. Oh wait, they have. People can only care about so many things at one time. Getting the collective consciousness to re-engage and get upset over Splash Mountain all over again isn't likely to occur.

 

[Disney Irish]

The fact that it is open and gets hours of waits a day. I assure you, they are not losing any sleep over showcasing it as one of their main most famous attractions on either coast.
Disney does not care what the popularity is from. They care about ROI. If anything, they are just hoping that Disney Plus series works out to give them hope.

Attendance, guest satisfaction and Genie Plus. Max Pass. The premium collector's items for sale on Main Street were still being sold just a couple of months ago. Attractions get budget based on various things. If it was a non starter or revenue creator for Disney, it would not be open. On Ride Photos are always a money maker. They have not rushed to change the graphics much even though that would be a simple change if they were really concerned about problematic things. They are choosing money and weighing their options.


And the merch aspect has been argued too. Plenty of attractions are short of merch and blah over the past six months. My last time there I could not even find a decent Space Mountain Shirt or hardly any attraction specific merch.

Splash's just went out of stock faster than others because of the created demand.

These are all interesting opinions, just like everyone's opinions here on this subject have been interesting. But its not proof of anything outside of it being one's own opinion.

In reality no one here knows what is happening inside the walls of TDA and TWDC with any amount of certainty. All we can do is base things on what they've said publicly over the last year about this project. And by all accounts on that front its full steam ahead on the project. However long it takes is however long it takes.

If you or anyone else here wants to glean from its remaining open to formulate a specific opinion about Disney's thought process, well that is up to you and them but doesn't mean its correct.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Yeah, Twitter still hasn't let them off the hook for walking back on Gigantic. Oh wait, they have. People can only care about so many things at one time. Getting the collective consciousness to re-engage and get upset over Splash Mountain all over again.

Cancelling Gigantic and the Splash re-theme are 1000% not on the same level, but sure...

 

[Professortango1]

Cancelling Gigantic and the Splash re-theme are 1000% not on the same level, but sure...

Something that is announced, shown concept art, and heavily advertised to just quietly be forgotten about. Do I think Splash will get a re-theme? Sure. Will it be Tiana and will it happen in the next 3-5 years? Not so sure. The public has a short attention span. Look at Guardians. People hated the new ride, but now the ire is gone except for a few cranky folks like myself. One of the best theme park attractions they created and turned into one of the worst. And nobody has the energy to care a few years later.