Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Too Many Hats]

When I read Splash was closing, it felt like a gut-punch. Once the shock wore off, I realized the absurdity of a grown man feeling emotional over a log flume.

We all have precious childhood memories associated with these attractions. I rode Splash with family members who are no longer alive. But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not some slap in the face directed at my childhood. Teasing this out makes it easier to welcome change at Disneyland.

 

[Californian Elitist]

When I read Splash was closing, it felt like a gut-punch. Once the shock wore off, I realized the absurdity of a grown man feeling emotional over a log flume.

We all have precious childhood memories associated with these attractions. I rode Splash with family members who are no longer alive. But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not some slap in the face directed at my childhood. Teasing this out makes it easier to welcome change at Disneyland.

It really does feel absurd, right? I also started feeling ridiculous, being a grown, adult woman and being outraged over this stuff. I asked myself, how old am I?

 

[Midwest Elitist]

When I read Splash was closing, it felt like a gut-punch. Once the shock wore off, I realized the absurdity of a grown man feeling emotional over a log flume.

We all have precious childhood memories associated with these attractions. I rode Splash with family members who are no longer alive. But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not some slap in the face directed at my childhood. Teasing this out makes it easier to welcome change at Disneyland.

For me, the ride changing isn't a slap in the face. Cancelling the music is. Especially the cringy way they went about it.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I'll definitely miss the original Splash music. I hope the new original stuff is joyous like ZADDD.

The last time I HAD to get to Disneyland for a ride opening was Indy. And in a pretty miraculous way, I ended up there opening weekend when my company, AT&T, awarded me a prize as a Top 100 performer (out of 10,000 employee) in our division. Totally unexpected. The prize was a weekend in Newport Beach with an optional day trip to DL for the opening of Indy. Even more unexpected.

I'm still waiting for another Disneyland attraction to come that darn near forces me to go. (California Adventure doesn't count.)

 

[SamusAranX]

I’ve gone to the parks twice in the past almost four years, and that’s only because I was invited and my tickets were comped. While the opening of this ride will get me to buy a ticket, as well as my twin niece and nephew’s 2nd birthday, I’ve scaled back my visits significantly for many reasons, reasons I’ve already mentioned many times.

I actually like not having a pass and distancing myself from the parks by just going once every few years, as it helps keep my expectations in check and I actually enjoy the parks more. When I was a passholder and going all the time with each year, I found myself more disappointed as a guest because I was noticing a lot of things due to my constant visiting. I would be upset and take things personally, but then turn around and go back. That wasn’t healthy behavior and the message I was sending to Disney was that no matter what they did, I’d be loyal and return. I went back last year and had a wonderful time. It had been nearly three years since I was last in the parks and the time that passed really helped me appreciate my now limited time and enjoy every second of it. Things didn’t bother me as much and I was there to enjoy myself. For now, I’m going to keep doing this, where I go once every few years or for special occasions and refrain from getting a pass. It’s better that way, personally. Disney’s going to do what they’re going to do, and I can’t change that. Since accepting this, coupled with cutting the umbilical cord between myself and the parks, I don’t get nearly as upset and offended as I used to get and I’m able to enjoy things more.

I still get disappointed by Disney's continued desire to shoot themselves in the foot, but I have taken a similar route; I only get a WDW pass every few years now. It's not worth it beyond that, especially on the Florida side; given they haven't announced anything beyond a lateral refurb for the next few years. the only way for them to get the message is if more and more people stop giving money hand over first repeatedly.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I still get disappointed by Disney's continued desire to shoot themselves in the foot, but I have taken a similar route; I only get a WDW pass every few years now. It's not worth it beyond that, especially on the Florida side; given they haven't announced anything beyond a lateral refurb for the next few years. the only way for them to get the message is if more and more people stop giving money hand over first repeatedly.

Exactly. The only way Disney may consider making different decisions is for a mass number of guests and fans to stop going so much. Never gonna happen, though. Creating some sort of boundary is good.

I personally don’t think a pass every single year is worth it on either coast. I’m cool with just going every once in a while. I went to MK for the first time last year and enjoyed myself. I went to DL last year and enjoyed myself. I don’t have to return to either for a few years.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

When I read Splash was closing, it felt like a gut-punch. Once the shock wore off, I realized the absurdity of a grown man feeling emotional over a log flume.

This describes exactly the process I went through. I still think closing Splash is the worst Disney Parks decision in my lifetime, but it also caused me to reevaluate my priorities because I realized the closure of a theme park ride really should not have a major emotional impact on my life.

 

[Honeycomb]

You’re definitely not the only one. I too grew up a diehard Disneyland and Disney fan in general. Not only did I go to Disneyland a lot as a child, but I was privileged enough to have an uncle that was head of security for the Walt Disney Studios, so I spent random days there in Burbank and got to attend a lot of exclusive Disney events that obviously were not open to the general public. We were at the El Capitan for almost every Disney movie released. I was a CM back in 2011. My life revolved around Disney for a good portion of my life.

Things started shifting for me in 2017, too. Excluding the things I disagreed with regarding the parks, my interests and priorities simply started changing because I was maturing and experiencing different things. I had left the country for the first time ever, something I’d wanted to do since I was a kid. I came back from Ireland and traveling, specifically international travel, almost became like a drug; I was already looking for the next hit. The next year in 2018, I went to England and the Dominican Republic. 2019 was the last year I had my annual pass, so it took just two years after Ireland for me to let it go and focus my attention and priorities on seeing as many places in the world as possible, both here and abroad, before that option is no longer available to me. I took myself to Italy for a month that same year, with a stop in Germany, and literally had the best time of my life as an adult. I’m going to Denmark in November and I’m looking forward to my trip.

You described it perfectly: it’s like growing apart from an old friend. And that’s okay. We’re still friends, it’s just things are different. Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s in our control and sometimes it isn’t. That’s life. Disney’s decision-making has never been in my control and never will. So, getting all mad and upset and offended and bitter about things I have no control over regarding the parks is a complete waste of my time and energy. I’m done doing that. I finally came to this conclusion a few years ago. I have one life; I’m not trying to spend too much of my limited time here being mad that Disneyland is changing, something it’s been doing since it opened. And who am I? Why should my own vision of how the parks should be run matter? I grew up seeing Splash Mountain during every Disneyland trip. It was iconic and a classic. And now, TBA will be familiar to future generations of Disneyland fans and will likely be iconic and classic to them. Such is life. I can’t do anything to change that, so I’ve moved on. I’ve got bigger, way more important things to be concerned about than anything related to theme parks. When I do go, I will enjoy the things I enjoy, have fun, leave, and return another time. I have no desire to go multiple times per year, every year. It’s best that way.

Welcome to the forums, by the way. I look forward to reading future commentary from you and engaging in more discussion.

Thank you for your kind words. They truly mean a lot to me.

It's awesome that you finally had the chance to go abroad. I have never been to Europe despite that I have family in Ireland. 10 years ago I went to Japan and saw Tokyo Disneyland from the highway but I didn't get to actually go to the park.

You mentioned you will take a special trip to Disneyland just for TBA when it opens. What about it are you looking forward to the most? Do you think you would go to Magic Kingdom for their version? I wonder if there will be any notable differences between the two considering how different the two Splash Mountains were.

 

[Rich T]

Regardless of it changing to not, the fact that the parks are in this state and everyone just seems okay with it, is... a lot to take in.

I’m not okay with it. I’ve stopped going to Disney parks here in FL. Right now I find Universal 10x more fun to visit. Guess I’ll just have to miss out on MK’s Smellephants.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thank you for your kind words. They truly mean a lot to me.

It's awesome that you finally had the chance to go abroad. I have never been to Europe despite that I have family in Ireland. 10 years ago I went to Japan and saw Tokyo Disneyland from the highway but I didn't get to actually go to the park.

You mentioned you will take a special trip to Disneyland just for TBA when it opens. What about it are you looking forward to the most? Do you think you would go to Magic Kingdom for their version? I wonder if there will be any notable differences between the two considering how different the two Splash Mountains were.

You’re welcome!

I would love to go to Japan. It’s definitely on my list. I’ve been to the Caribbean, Europe, and Central America, but I haven’t touched down in Asia, Africa, or Australia yet. All in due time. Hopefully we can both start traveling more in the future and cross some countries off our respective lists.

I wouldn’t say that I would visit DL solely for TBA. Just that it would encourage to purchase a ticket. Same with DL’s 70th anniversary coming up in two years. It would encourage me, but I would be there for the rest of the parks’ offerings as well, just like my regular visits. To be very frank, I’m not super hyped for TBA. I’m just really curious about what they’re coming up with. It’s not like Cars Land, where I was stoked about it and couldn’t wait to experience it. I’m watching the project closely, and while some things sound intriguing and nice, I’m not super excited about it in general. If I had to pick one thing I’m most curious about, it’s the animatronics and the overall aesthetics of the attraction’s interior.

I would not travel to MK solely for TBA, no. I’d return to MK for a general visit and of course ride TBA, but that wouldn’t be the only reason for my visit (same as DL). The rides themselves seem like they will be pretty identical. Given that the location of ours more appropriately fits the attraction, along with the other surrounding offerings (Tiana’s Palace and Eudora’s), I find ours, as a whole, more interesting

 

[Rich T]

For me, the ride changing isn't a slap in the face. Cancelling the music is. Especially the cringy way they went about it.

The music remains available for anyone and everyone to purchase and listen to. Just because Disney chooses not to play it anymore doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, the parks have so much wrong with them now that I feel dropping Zipadeedodah from their music loops is the absolute least of the issues.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The music remains available for anyone and everyone to purchase and listen to. Just because Disney chooses not to play it anymore doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, the parks have so much wrong with them now that I feel dropping Zipadeedodah from their music loops is the absolute least of the issues.

I thought the same thing. The music is still available to listen to. If the ride was closing, then the music would also be going bye-bye, no?

 

[Rich T]

I thought the same thing. The music is still available to listen to. If the ride was closing, then the music would also be going bye-bye, no?

Right. Some people will point out that Zip was played in the parks long before Splash was built, but even before the log ride, the song was sometimes criticized or poked at because of SotS. A year before Splash Mtn. opened, a great Album called “Stay Awake” was released, featuring well-know singers doing unusual interpretations of classic Disney songs. Harry Nilsson’s downbeat, exhausted-sounding “Zipadeedodah” pulled no punches in focusing on the song’s clash between lyrics and the movie it came from.

Out of context, Zip will always play as a great song. But it comes with a history that… exists.

 

[Honeycomb]

The music remains available for anyone and everyone to purchase and listen to. Just because Disney chooses not to play it anymore doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, the parks have so much wrong with them now that I feel dropping Zipadeedodah from their music loops is the absolute least of the issues.

You're right, but I think what he's trying to say is listening to a song at home doesn't have same feel as hearing on a speaker in the parks out on a hot humid day.

 

[Basketbuddy101]

The fact that they announced the closure in 2020, one of the more contentious years in recent memory, didn't help in facilitating the grieving process for me. Splash was and will always be my favorite attraction, but some of your testimonials have made me realize that my anger toward a multi-billion dollar company was not only pointless, but damaging to my own mental health. I think what made the situation worse at the time were my sentiments toward the latest wave of ‘fans’ who I perceived as being more concerned with taking some kind of moral high ground than considering the themes, traditions, and overall ethos of the park. Splash represented, in my not-so-humble opinion, the very best that Disney, pre or post Walt, could offer. I know fans tend to hate when other fans presume to know what Walt would or would not have wanted, but given his affinity for the Brer Rabbit stories, I think it’s fair to say he would’ve adored this ride as much as the rest of us did. Though I’ve made my peace with its closure, I will always defend this attraction's memory and honor in person (I've learned not to do so online the hard way lol).

 

[Honeycomb]

but given his affinity for the Brer Rabbit stories, I think it’s fair to say he would’ve adored this ride as much as the rest of us did.

I think he would have been impressed with the theming but likely terrified of the drop, considering he would have been 88 years old if had been alive during the summer of '89.

 

[Basketbuddy101]

I think he would have been impressed with the theming but likely terrified of the drop, considering he would have been 88 years old if had been alive during the summer of '89.

Good point. But I think I meant if it had opened back in say...55, which is obviously impossible given the tech of the time lol. Heck, the Timber Mountain Log Ride hadn't even opened. Maybe they could've let him off the ride before the drop like Spielberg and Jurassic Park ;D

 

[Rich T]

You're right, but I think what he's trying to say is listening to a song at home doesn't have same feel as hearing on a speaker in the parks out on a hot humid day.

Which is true… but it’s the giant media corporation’s park, not the fans’, much as fans would like to believe otherwise. This is something more and more park fans are probably going to have to get used to: If the corporation decides it doesn’t like something anymore, for any reason, it can be gone. In a blink. More and more classics are, very possibly, going to move out of the parks and into the realms of memory and home entertainment as time goes on, as has happened with the SotS tunes.

I’ve said this before, and I still believe it: most guests (as in everyone but diehard fans) will never notice Zipadeedodah is missing from the park music loops, parades and shows. This is a huge advantage the corporation has in these matters: they have no shortage of suitable replacements for any piece of music they deem undesirable.

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

When I read Splash was closing, it felt like a gut-punch. Once the shock wore off, I realized the absurdity of a grown man feeling emotional over a log flume.

We all have precious childhood memories associated with these attractions. I rode Splash with family members who are no longer alive. But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not some slap in the face directed at my childhood. Teasing this out makes it easier to welcome change at Disneyland.

You describe 100% how I felt initially a followed by my reaction and perspective thereafter.

With anything, we develop an emotional attachment/bond and at one time Splash was one of my favorite rides (though my tastes changed). But in reality it was always a ride that was 1) based on a franchise that was at best unfamiliar/unrelatable to a majority modern audiences; 2) just one piece of the larger tapestry of the park’s history, one which has changed/evolved a lot over time.

I do think the amount of hyperbolic moral grandstanding and grievance peddling back and forth on “DisTwitter”/social media has made feelings raw for folks too considering this is in fact an argument over a log flume. With folks on both “sides” of this digging in further. In reality TWDC management is going to change these parks as they see fit, and it’s a personal decision for each individual whether the sum of all parts is at least equal to what came before. And remain mindful of the fact that memories of the attractions we love can’t be taken away from us by a contemporary corporate edict.

 

[EagleScout610]

DLRR is temporarily closed while work goes on in the Splash tunnel