Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Brer Oswald]

I wager Japan will follow suit in due course, unless the redo is complete and utter garbage.

I could see them doing Zootopia or something with cute animals. Can’t see them doing it for PatF.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I don't necessarily see OLC removing Zip a Dee Doo Dah from its entrance loop as an indication that they have any immediate plans to change their Splash Mountain over.

At least if only one Splash Mountain can still exist, it's (IMO) the best version of the ride that was ever built.

I will be genuinely sad when they inevitably get rid of the little jingle that plays at Maihama Station (the train station that connects the resort to Tokyo and the rest of Japan).

There are two quick little jingles at Maihama Station that play as trains arrive and leave.
One is Zip a Dee Doo Dah:



And here's the other one: It's a Small World-


It will almost certainly be replaced by another little jingle instead, but still: it's a nice, charming, distinctly Tokyo little touch that I will miss.

 

[Professortango1]

At least if only one Splash Mountain can still exist, it's (IMO) the best version of the ride that was ever built.

I'm very surprised to hear that. It is well maintained, but the Tokyo version feels so less dense with simpler characters than Disneyland's and WDW's version. Plus, no "Take me Along" or "Burrow's Lament."

 

[mickEblu]

I haven’t been on WDW’s Splash and never will unless I get there in the next few weeks so you can write off my opinion if you want but below is why I feel DLs Splash is better or at least works better for me. In short, WDW looks like it has the better show and story but DLs version appears to be more transportive.

Splash at DL is an E ticket Fantasy Land style dark ride with thrills. True, lighting isn't great but I think it kind of adds to the FL style dark ride charm and gives the attraction more of an ethereal effect. TBH I never notice the broken AAs as much as I read about them on these boards. Maybe cuz the logs are going so fast which I also think adds to the excitement (along with the tight turns) and repeatability of DLs version.

I haven't been on the WDW version but just from the ride through on YouTube i can see it has the better show. But to me it just has more of "I'm on a Magic Kingdom ride " vibe and less of the charming qualities of DLs that make you feel like you ve been transported to another world. Like the mood setting lighting or lack thereof and that overall Alice in Wonderland type of weirdness/ zaniness. Another way to put it - the Disney X factor magic that's hard to define or pull off. Not to mention I like how in DL s you feel like your in some world within the mountain (almost like a Tolkien book) which makes more sense since you are splashing INSIDE the mountain. With WDW, they make the interior look like a bright shiny day which I think is better reserved for the Zipidee Doo Dah scene which creates a greater tonal difference from the rest of the darker attraction in DL and therefore plays off of our human emotions more than the linear story and consistently bright settings at WDW can.

When I think of Disneys greatest attractions they re all kind of dark, mysterious and other worldly. POTC, HM, Indy, DLs Splash Mountain ,TOT, the FL style dark rides etc.

It really just comes down to what type of ride experience people prefer. And just because everything goes back to burgers... WDWs is liek getting a restaurant burger. Has all the quality ingredients but is missing that X factor or love that you ll get at the hole in the wall down the street that's been serving burgers since the 60s.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I'm very surprised to hear that. It is well maintained, but the Tokyo version feels so less dense with simpler characters than Disneyland's and WDW's version. Plus, no "Take me Along" or "Burrow's Lament."

WDW's version also lacks "Burrow's Lament" and "Take Me Along." Not my favorite tracks, TBH, so I can't say I miss them on the other versions of the ride, though "Burrow's Lament" at least works effectively as a tone setter.

To me, Tokyo takes the WDW score (and as an aside, the more bluegrass, Frontierland-esque version of the soundtrack actually works far better for me than the original DL version does) and scenery and improves upon it, while also retaining a more whimsical, DL-esque feel (at least on the exterior). And of course the land around it is quite lovely and there's nowhere else quite like it anywhere else.

The only place where I personally feel that Tokyo's could be seen as less dense is that it (like WDW) has fewer AA's, but I feel like the AA's in the latter versions are better staged and have a greater impact on the riders (vs. the quantity approach of DL's, where IMO there's a lot going on at all times but not always in a fun way like in HM or Pirates. Sometimes overwhelming is just overwhelming).

@mickEblu I get what you're saying about the importance of dark, mysterious environments in all of the best attractions and don't disagree with that assessment, but I would say Splash Mountain is one place where the bright environment (for me, anyway) really works quite effectively without making it feel like the ride is-probably not the best word, but the word that is occurring to me at the moment-neutered because of it. I suppose I can see how from a POV it might seem like it's not all that different from, say, one of the Pooh rides, but it feels very different in person. To me the subsequent versions of Splash are clear 2.0 versions over the original, and if not everyone agrees with me, then that's fine, but that's the Splash hill I will die on.

Even though catching WDW's is unlikely at this point, I do hope you're able to make it to Tokyo's someday and are able to experience a different iteration of the ride. You'll probably still find that DL's remains your favorite, but you never know.

 

[mickEblu]

WDW's version also lacks "Burrow's Lament" and "Take Me Along." Not my favorite tracks, TBH, so I can't say I miss them on the other versions of the ride, though "Burrow's Lament" at least works effectively as a tone setter.

To me, Tokyo takes the WDW score (and as an aside, the more bluegrass, Frontierland-esque version of the soundtrack actually works far better for me than the original DL version does) and scenery and improves upon it, while also retaining a more whimsical, DL-esque feel (at least on the exterior). And of course the land around it is quite lovely and there's nowhere else quite like it anywhere else.

The only place where I personally feel that Tokyo's could be seen as less dense is that it (like WDW) has fewer AA's, but I feel like the AA's in the latter versions are better staged and have a greater impact on the riders (vs. the quantity approach of DL's, where IMO there's a lot going on at all times but not always in a fun way like in HM or Pirates. Sometimes overwhelming is just overwhelming).

@mickEblu I get what you're saying about the importance of dark, mysterious environments in all of the best attractions and don't disagree with that assessment, but I would say Splash Mountain is one place where the bright environment (for me, anyway) really works quite effectively without making it feel like the ride is-probably not the best word, but the word that is occurring to me at the moment-neutered because of it. I suppose I can see how from a POV it might seem like it's not all that different from, say, one of the Pooh rides, but it feels very different in person. To me the subsequent versions of Splash are clear 2.0 versions over the original, and if not everyone agrees with me, then that's fine, but that's the Splash hill I will die on.

Even though catching WDW's is unlikely at this point, I do hope you're able to make it to Tokyo's someday and are able to experience a different iteration of the ride. You'll probably still find that DL's remains your favorite, but you never know.

The plan is to hit all the Disney parks around the world one day. I'm just off to a slow start and continue to choose to spend my money elsewhere due to convenience, feasibility, cost etc. Although I'm starting to regret I pulled the trigger on the cruise out of Miami this spring vs the cruise out of Port Canaveral. Feel like I just may have tacked on a few days at WDW.

The lighting or lack thereof on Splash at DL makes it feel like it's actually set to be inside the mountain which for me on a subconscious level makes it a richer, more adventurous experience. Like the mountain is some real place you're exploring. Its not what they were going for obviously at least in the "How Do you Do' scenes but as you get into the "Laughing Place" through the lift hill for the big drop it does feel like you are just in some caverns or underground with the overgrown carrots above you. I also much prefer DL's soundtrack to the bluegrass WDW/ Tokyo version. I also enjoy the pace and feel that contributes to it being more fun and repeatable. With all of that said I can see how Florida's version is preferred by the majority. Hopefully, I'll get to experience the Tokyo version one day. Although I feel like I can probably fill in the blanks just by riding PatF at MK.

 

[mickEblu]

WDW's version also lacks "Burrow's Lament" and "Take Me Along." Not my favorite tracks, TBH, so I can't say I miss them on the other versions of the ride, though "Burrow's Lament" at least works effectively as a tone setter.

To me, Tokyo takes the WDW score (and as an aside, the more bluegrass, Frontierland-esque version of the soundtrack actually works far better for me than the original DL version does) and scenery and improves upon it, while also retaining a more whimsical, DL-esque feel (at least on the exterior). And of course the land around it is quite lovely and there's nowhere else quite like it anywhere else.

The only place where I personally feel that Tokyo's could be seen as less dense is that it (like WDW) has fewer AA's, but I feel like the AA's in the latter versions are better staged and have a greater impact on the riders (vs. the quantity approach of DL's, where IMO there's a lot going on at all times but not always in a fun way like in HM or Pirates. Sometimes overwhelming is just overwhelming).

@mickEblu I get what you're saying about the importance of dark, mysterious environments in all of the best attractions and don't disagree with that assessment, but I would say Splash Mountain is one place where the bright environment (for me, anyway) really works quite effectively without making it feel like the ride is-probably not the best word, but the word that is occurring to me at the moment-neutered because of it. I suppose I can see how from a POV it might seem like it's not all that different from, say, one of the Pooh rides, but it feels very different in person. To me the subsequent versions of Splash are clear 2.0 versions over the original, and if not everyone agrees with me, then that's fine, but that's the Splash hill I will die on.

Even though catching WDW's is unlikely at this point, I do hope you're able to make it to Tokyo's someday and are able to experience a different iteration of the ride. You'll probably still find that DL's remains your favorite, but you never know.

forgot to mention a couple smaller things like the transitions between scenes/ songs at WDW don't seem as well executed or seamless. One that comes to mind is the transition into the "Laughing Place" at MK's version compared to DL.

 

[SuddenStorm]

forgot to mention a couple smaller things like the transitions between scenes/ songs at WDW don't seem as well executed or seamless. One that comes to mind is the transition into the "Laughing Place" at MK's version compared to DL.

The team behind original Splash was brilliant to use drops as the transition between each song. Heck, the one time they didn't- originally with the transition from Laughin Place to Sooner or Later- it didn't work and was changed before the ride even opened.

Burrow's Lament, what Sooner or Later was changed to, is really just Laughin Place in a minor key and different lyrics and a slower tempo. So hardly a transition but it works wonderfully.

Not only that- the first drop distracts from entering the show building.

The dip drop is immediately followed by the bees, giving riders a chance to gather themselves before the full song.

The final drop goes into an instrumental Zip a Dee Doo Dah- giving riders a chance to recover before the finale.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

Tokyo's Splash has a bit more refined pacing imo, which when added to its perfect upkeep makes it the best version of the attraction for me. I do miss some parts of the other versions though, especially the extended "How Do You Do?" song in English.

 

[SuddenStorm]

Tokyo's Splash has a bit more refined pacing imo, which when added to its perfect upkeep makes it the best version of the attraction for me. I do miss some parts of the other versions though, especially the extended "How Do You Do?" song in English.

I'm likely going to Tokyo in 2024 (planning on Paris for 2023), and am excited to see that Splash. Heck, looking at their attraction lineup there's more vintage Disneyland there than actual Disneyland almost.

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

I don't like how lengthy Everybody's Got a Laughin' Place is in the Tokyo version, the instrumental version of the song is also absent when you enter the bee cave.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

In the context of their business relationship, Disney could apply some pressure (realistically, at most, a "concerned" statement of "disappointment" that OLC isn't open to a change). It would never reach litigation, however, for either party, as both understand the importance of continuing to cultivate a mutually nurturing relationship, and because of the cultural context (I "know Japan" extremely well, and litigation in this sort of matter absolutely wouldn't happen).

I'm also a (former but still licensed) attorney with some background in IP law. I don't know Japan's IP laws, but theoretically it's possible given long-arm statutes, Disney could sue OLC for trademark infringement in a US court, despite Song of the South being public domain in Japan. But that absolutely would never, ever happen (getting hit by lightning twice is more likely), and OLC probably doesn't have any property in the US to which a judgment in Disney's favor could be attached.

OLC pays royalties and covers (huge) R&D expenses for tech Disney can use in other parks, and Disney provides almost everything else. They benefit immensely from each other. If Disney goes crazy militant about it, perhaps they'd threaten to pull the license (I don't know if that's even possible in the comprehensive agreement), but it's almost unimaginable; it'd be absurd. The board would have to be replaced with lunatics, and the next CEO would have to be a lunatic to pursue it.

I fully expect coverage of it (Splash Mountain remaining in Japan) in Western media, when the Tiana ride opens. The Times et al love to rip into Japan about that sort of thing, consistently pushing stories with the underlying themes of, e.g.:

• "Japan needs to become multicultural"
• "Japan needs to open its borders to the world (i.e., mass immigration) because it's facing a 'demographic CRISIS!'" (neoliberal economic dogma)
• "Japan needs to address its millennia-old and deeply ingrained standards of beauty and how it perceives [certain foreigners]"
• "Japan needs to address microaggressions against [certain foreigners]"
• "Japan needs to address its legacy of fear of [certain foreigners]"

That is, i.e., "Japan should embrace all 'progressive' American neuroses about [certain sociocultural issues], and change its millennia-old society and culture to be like ours." Not entitled or neoimperialistic at all (sarcasm).

The articles will plug-in a few quotes by a few Japanese academics who've bought into the whole American take on ... all that stuff ... to essentially condemn OLC. Vox, The Atlantic, and the like will publish "this is problematic" think-pieces with titles like Tiana Isn't the Most Popular Disney Princess in Japan, and That's a Problem, and a Twitter mob will start pestering OLC about it (petitions galore). I doubt OLC will care one iota.

Splash Mountain will stand strong in Tokyo.

View attachment 690067

Begging you to find some grass to touch.

The media can’t even get the names of the parks straight. There’s zero chance anyone at the Atlantic even knows Tokyo Disneyland exists, let alone that another company owns it, or the status of their attraction roster. The only people who know this much detail about the Splash Mountain saga all post here.

Is it a little weird that Tiana has never appeared at TDR though? Yeah. That’s a little weird. Tiana appears regularly at SDL and HKDL. It’s weird.

 

[Kirby86]

One leverage that Disney has over OLC is that Japan loves and wants Disney IP. And if Disney comes up with an IP and ride combo that Japan really really wants, well, a deal can be made over what they need to do to get that IP/ride.

I mean sure that could happen but I think Disney will just wash their hands from it. They are changing the two rides in the park that they own. Most people in the states couldn't care less about what Tokyo Disneyland is doing. If by some off chance they get asked about Tokyos ride after Tiana takes over in the US Parks they can just say they don't own that park and it's up to OLC.

 

[Haymarket]

Begging you to find some grass to touch.

The media can’t even get the names of the parks straight. There’s zero chance anyone at the Atlantic even knows Tokyo Disneyland exists, let alone that another company owns it, or the status of their attraction roster. The only people who know this much detail about the Splash Mountain saga all post here.

Is it a little weird that Tiana has never appeared at TDR though? Yeah. That’s a little weird. Tiana appears regularly at SDL and HKDL. It’s weird.

OMG you actually think I mean all of that literally. You gave me today's laugh—thank you.

The Atlantic—an exaggeration, like if I'd said The New Yorker. [2/3/23 edit: that said, see The Line That Velma Crossed, The Atlantic, 20 January 2023. If they publish a piece on Velma, they'll cover something related to Disney and race. See also Celebrating The Princess and The Frog, The Atlantic, 12 December 2009, and Nala From The Lion King Should Be a Disney Princess, The Atlantic, 31 May 2013.]

But Vox, Slate, and NPR? I think it's entirely possible, given their coverage of late about [certain developments in the US] in relation to Japan, as follow-ups to their initial coverage of the changes, once the renovations are completed to fanfare in the US.

That said, let's see what happens. I'll bookmark this and come back to it if I see just such coverage.

 

[truecoat]

The plan is to hit all the Disney parks around the world one day. I'm just off to a slow start and continue to choose to spend my money elsewhere due to convenience, feasibility, cost etc. Although I'm starting to regret I pulled the trigger on the cruise out of Miami this spring vs the cruise out of Port Canaveral. Feel like I just may have tacked on a few days at WDW.

In 2019, I took a cruise out of Miami but due to flight costs, flew into Orlando super cheap, went to AK for the day, drove 2 hours, and stayed at a hotel. Returned the rental car to the Miami airport the next morning where they had a free shuttle to the cruise terminal and it worked out very well. Although I didn't fly into Miami, my return flight departed from Miami.

 

[EagleScout610]

I had this recently brought to my attention, that given this screenshot from the film, it's more than likely they're gonna use *Dig a Little Deeper* on the lift hill.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Should I fly to Orlando for a single day to ride Splash one last time? I’d never confess to anyone IRL that this thought is rolling around in my head, but I suspect some of you folks might understand.

 

[Midwest Elitist]

Should I fly to Orlando for a single day to ride Splash one last time? I’d never confess to anyone IRL that this thought is rolling around in my head, but I suspect some of you folks might understand.

Do what your heart desires.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Should I fly to Orlando for a single day to ride Splash one last time? I’d never confess to anyone IRL that this thought is rolling around in my head, but I suspect some of you folks might understand.

Fly to Tokyo.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Should I fly to Orlando for a single day to ride Splash one last time? I’d never confess to anyone IRL that this thought is rolling around in my head, but I suspect some of you folks might understand.

It’s your money and time, and you are free to do what you want with both.