Rumor Tokyo Disneyland Splash Mountain Retheme Discussion

[Midwest Elitist]

I saw a video from a site not to be named that apparently Zip A Dee Doo Dah is still playing on the monorail.

It is, Tokyo fans got really mad (it was like a million hits on social media) when it was removed months back. I think the explanation is that they had to refresh their license for that particular song. It wasn't the only song removed.

 

[SweetDuffy101]

It is, Tokyo fans got really mad (it was like a million hits on social media) when it was removed months back. I think the explanation is that they had to refresh their license for that particular song. It wasn't the only song removed.

Got really mad is an over reaction. people are gaslighting this situation. and the thing is the fans are already mentally prepared for the retheme of splash. its just a matter of time and which IP they will use. Whether they pitched PATF on OLC or IF its going to be a zootopia theme redo of critter country we still have to wait 5-10 years since they have alot of going on with fantasy springs and Space mountain.

 

[cjkeating]

I saw a video from a site not to be named that apparently Zip A Dee Doo Dah is still playing on the monorail.

I'm sure I read on a Twitter that there is a loop somewhere at WDW that still plays it. I don't really get why it has had to be purged from existence.

 

[malice]

How glorious it was to ride this yesterday. I’m accustomed to riding the musically chaotic DL original, but the effects and AAs here looked to be in great shape.

FYI to those planning a TDL visit, Splash does close prior to and during the fireworks.

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

Thinking about it, Splash Mountain closing in Japan while possible seems unlikely for the time being:

• Song of the South, and by extension the Uncle Remus stories they are based off of, are public domain in Japan. Therefore, they don't have to pay the necessary licensing fees to keep the ride open.
• The issues regarding the source material are nearly nonexistent because of cultural differences.
• The entire Critter Country land is themed after the movie and a redo of the attraction would likely require years of work.
• Japan loves cute animal characters and Splash is full of them.

 

[Soleurs]

Thinking about it, Splash Mountain closing in Japan while possible seems unlikely for the time being:

• Song of the South, and by extension the Uncle Remus stories they are based off of, are public domain in Japan. Therefore, they don't have to pay the necessary licensing fees to keep the ride open.
• The issues regarding the source material are nearly nonexistent because of cultural differences.
• The entire Critter Country land is themed after the movie and a redo of the attraction would likely require years of work.
• Japan loves cute animal characters and Splash is full of them.

Combine that with the fact that Splash has among the highest guest satisfaction ratings at the entire resort, consistently long waits even in cold months, and is the only pre-COVID attraction they chose to monetize with DPA (even skipping Hunny Hunt), plus the fact that one headliner will already be offline for three years on the other side of the park and having a second headliner down for upwards of a year or more would be highly unlikely, it seems like it could be 2027-28 by the time the ride closes if it does.

And honestly by then the bad PR surrounding the ride may have dissipated, a new regime will be in place at TWDC that may not care as much if at all, and they can just continue on their merry way without being forced to spend tens or hundreds of millions on a redo.

 

[tanc]

Bumping this due to speculation in the Fantasy Springs thread, really wonder what's going to happen with this. What if they actually get Tiana's Bayou Adventure and invest even more than the WDW version? What's going to happen to Grandma Sara's kitchen if this really comes to fruition? Lots of things to think about, honestly would prefer a different IP or even a ride for Duffy though.

 

[mickEblu]

Two attractions I really need to ride before they go away…

TOT at DHS

Splash Mountain in Tokyo (never got a chance to ride the MK version)

Which one gets rethemed first? I hope neither.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

Bumping this due to speculation in the Fantasy Springs thread, really wonder what's going to happen with this. What if they actually get Tiana's Bayou Adventure and invest even more than the WDW version? What's going to happen to Grandma Sara's kitchen if this really comes to fruition? Lots of things to think about, honestly would prefer a different IP or even a ride for Duffy though.

I doubt it will be Tiana since they already rejected it once after seeing the proposal (allegedly). OLC has also been more averse to cloning in recent years.

 

[tanc]

Two attractions I really need to ride before they go away…

TOT at DHS

Splash Mountain in Tokyo (never got a chance to ride the MK version)

I can't foresee OLC working on it until after Space Mountain is done, there's just too much that would be under construction for now.

 

[mickEblu]

I can't foresee OLC working on it until after Space Mountain is done, there's just too much that would be under construction for now.

So at the very least I have 3 years to get to Japan.

 

[Honeycomb]

I am at Tokyo Disneyland right now and considering how popular Splash Mountain is over here (it's just behind Space Mountain and Beauty and the Beast) I feel it wouldn't be worth the time and money to change its theme, but I have no doubt Disney will keep pushing the OLC during the next few years.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Just because those current Disney leadership wish them to change it doesn't mean they (Japan] will. If it was so so needed to happen,
it would of closed around the same time length as the others.

 

[J4546]

I hope disney has a Japanese Princess one day and can dedicate a land to it in TDL, maybe using Splash as well?

 

[Robbiem]

Bumping this due to speculation in the Fantasy Springs thread, really wonder what's going to happen with this. What if they actually get Tiana's Bayou Adventure and invest even more than the WDW version? What's going to happen to Grandma Sara's kitchen if this really comes to fruition? Lots of things to think about, honestly would prefer a different IP or even a ride for Duffy though.

I don't think Tiana would be a good fit in Tokyo. Splash isn't near the new Orleans part of adventureland and critter country works as it's own thing. I don't think the movie is that popular either in Japan. The Japanese just view splash as a kawaii critter ride. If it did change it could go fab five and be something like Mickey's runaway log flume

A Duffy ride would be amazing I can imagine the lines now but his home is Disneysea. I would rather splash stays and toy story mania became Duffy and friends mania but that wouldn't happen either, maybe there is room in cape cod for a dark ride?

 

[donaldtoo]

I hope disney has a Japanese Princess one day and can dedicate a land to it in TDL, maybe using Splash as well?

What would that be…?
“Princess *insert name here* Mount Fuji Adventure” …?!

 

[PiratesMansion]

I am at Tokyo Disneyland right now and considering how popular Splash Mountain is over here (it's just behind Space Mountain and Beauty and the Beast) I feel it wouldn't be worth the time and money to change its theme, but I have no doubt Disney will keep pushing the OLC during the next few years.

Yes, but it's not like the US versions were unpopular. I want to say the one at WDW in particular was one of the most popular attractions in the entire resort.

If popularity was all that mattered, the US versions would both still be there.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I am at Tokyo Disneyland right now and considering how popular Splash Mountain is over here (it's just behind Space Mountain and Beauty and the Beast) I feel it wouldn't be worth the time and money to change its theme, but I have no doubt Disney will keep pushing the OLC during the next few years.

SM was very popular in the US parks also, but regardless it's gone.

Just because those current Disney leadership wish them to change it doesn't mean they (Japan] will. If it was so so needed to happen,
it would of closed around the same time length as the others.

I am unsure what the licensing agreement between the OLC and Disney is, but I would assume Disney would eventually have the right to revoke access to any IP they own? If they want Song of the South gone, they may just be waiting for a contract to run out.

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

If popularity was all that mattered, the US versions would both still be there.

Same goes for Tower of Terror at Disneyland I feel.

 

[Honeycomb]

Yes, but it's not like the US versions were unpopular. I want to say the one at WDW in particular was one of the most popular attractions in the entire resort.

If popularity was all that mattered, the US versions would both still be there.

SM was very popular in the US parks also, but regardless it's gone.




I am unsure what the licensing agreement between the OLC and Disney is, but I would assume Disney would eventually have the right to revoke access to any IP they own? If they want Song of the South gone, they may just be waiting for a contract to run out.

I wasn't implying that just because Splash Mountain is popular over here doesn't mean it's not possible that it could be changed like it did in the United States. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it did end up going through, but I could imagine them picking a different theme. I believe that regardless Disney is going to keep trying to pressure OLC. Whether or not they'll give in, well, time will only tell.