New Concept Art & Details for Splash Mountain’s Princess & Frog Reimagining
Disney has released more details about the upcoming reimagining of Splash Mountain inspired by the Princess and the Frog that’s coming to Disneyland and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. In this post, we’ll share new concept art and story details shared by Imagineers working on concept who discussed some behind-the-scenes inspirations.
To quickly recap, Early last summer, Disney announced that Splash Mountain will be rethemed to the Princess and the Frog at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The reimagining almost certainly will not occur at Tokyo Disneyland, which has politely indicated they’re “considering” it. (The area around the attraction in Japan might as well be called “Splash Mountain Land,” as everything is woven into the main attraction. See our look Inside Disney’s Splash Mountain Restaurant for more.)
At the time of the original announcement, not much was revealed about the reimagined Splash Mountain. The new-look ride will pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure — featuring some of the powerful music from the film — as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.
Disney was silent about the project for over a year following the announcement. Then, during an August 2021 appearance on the Orlando Sentinel‘s Theme Park Rangers podcast, Magic Kingdom Vice President Melissa Valiquette suggested it could be years before the Splash Mountain reimagining is completed at Magic Kingdom. “The sequence of these things is that sometimes the decision can be made many many months, even years, before any of that will be seen onstage. So it’s going to take us a little bit of time to reimagine Splash Mountain,” she said.
“When we are reimagining a new attraction or a new area of our parks, this can be a lengthy process. There’s a lot of work that goes into it,” Valiquette explained. “I’m in a lot of meetings right now around Splash Mountain, and of course, our guests haven’t seen any changes yet. That’s going to take some time.”
Only a couple of weeks later, in honor of World Princess Week (?), the company shared more details on the Disney Parks Blog. This featured the above new concept art, which shows Naveen and Louis joining Tiana on her latest adventure, hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome.
During this celebration, guests will hear original music inspired by songs from the film. Tiana is leading the way and theme park fans will be able to encounter old friends and make new ones along the way as well.
Additionally, Imagineers recently gathered at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans – founder Leah Chase was one of the inspirations for Princess Tiana – to talk about Tiana’s impact over the past decade and the creative process behind the upcoming attraction, including the technology Imagineers are using to bring it to life.
Generations of the Chase family welcomed Imagineers while Chef Dook cooked up some of their famous gumbo. The group sat down with Leah’s daughter, Stella Chase Reese who shared that “the two coming together, music and food, brings joy and happiness to all.”
In the ~30 minute roundtable video above, Kenneth Moton, National Correspondent for ABC News joins Stella Chase Reese, Owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and daughter of Leah Chase; Carmen Smith, Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering; Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering; and Marlon West, VFX Supervisor.
During that roundtable, Imagineer Charita Carter stated that Disney will “advance the storytelling and really just kind of change the game” when it comes to the advance Audio Animatronics and scenic visuals utilized in the reimagined ride.
Imagineers are researching New Orleans to tell a story that’s as authentic to the region as it is to the characters’ stories. From the food, music, art and architecture to the diversity of its people and their traditions, there is much from which to draw inspiration. The team has done virtual research trips through Zoom and this was their first of many in-person research trips to get the story right.
One of the early sources of inspiration has come from Sharika Mahdi. She’s a visual artist, art educator, and alumna of the renowned YAYA (Young Aspirations Young Artists) Arts Center located in New Orleans. Mahdi was commissioned to create a series of four original paintings to inspire Imagineers, one of which (below) was revealed today:
In terms of commentary, the most interesting aspect of all of this to me is the new concept art and Disney’s statement that “fans will be able to encounter old friends” in the reimagined Splash Mountain (or whatever it ends up being called–my vote is still for “Splash Mountain ~ Voyage of the Log with Princess and the Frog: New Adventures with Princess Tiana!” A ride name can never be too long! 😉 )
This quote plus the band in the shadows above Louis in the concept art suggests to me that a lot of the existing Brer Critter Audio Animatronics will be reused. That makes sense–a lot of those Audio Animatronics themselves are recycled from America Sings at Disneyland and had nothing to do with Splash Mountain’s source material. Going forward, they’ll likely be given new life as part of an “expanded universe” for the Princess and the Frog.
To me, this seems like a savvy move all around. It’ll allow redevelopment costs and budget to be allocated towards other components of the project, potentially shorten the construction timeline, and might blunt some of the fan outrage. Those ‘supporting player’ musical critters are beloved and themselves totally noncontroversial, so that seems like a win all around.
It’s also reassuring that Carter indicates Imagineering will “change the game” when it comes to advanced Audio Animatronics and scenic illusions. Although it’s a brief and vague statement, that instantly calls to mind Na’vi River Journey at Animal Kingdom, which melds Audio Animatronics and practical sets with screens and other effects. Splash Mountain already has dozens of AAs, so it’ll likely avoid all of the pitfalls that make Na’vi River Journey underwhelming in spots.
Beyond that, the Parks Blog post and roundtable further reinforces our belief that the timeline for Splash Mountain’s reimagining is pretty long. The Imagineers mention that this is the first of many research trips to New Orleans, which is something that would occur fairly early in concept development.
This likely serves as a subtle message to fans that it’s going to be a while before the reimagining comes to fruition. (It’s odd to me that many research trips are necessary in the first place given that those occurred for the film itself, and this is being built in castle parks, but whatever.)
As a reminder, Disney still has not released an official timeline for the Splash Mountain reimagining at either Magic Kingdom or Disneyland.
Thus far, we have two pieces of concept art in the course of a year. As we’re seeing with Tron Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (which will probably open in 2022 and 2023, respectively), this is likely to be a protracted process.
Readers have asked for rumors or insight about timeline for Splash Mountain, and I’ll copy and paste what I’ve said in past comments: the only thing I’ve heard—over 6 months ago—is that the plan was to reimagine Splash Mountain at Disneyland first, with Walt Disney World’s going down towards the end or even after that project.
Even at that point, it sounded like the timeline for these projects was years out. Suffice to say, I’d be surprised if Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain closes during the first half of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration, but again, things could change and priorities shift.
The only thing I’ve heard about the Splash Mountain reimagining is that very vague and potential sequence of the two projects. Normally, one year after the announcement of a project with this scope and scale, there would be no shortage of rumors. Third party contractors and vendors would be involved and permits would potentially be filed—there would be rumblings and insight to be gleaned.
Ultimately, it’s hard to say what will happen with the Princess and the Frog inspired reimagining of Splash Mountain or when it’ll occur. It’s easier to make educated guesses about the timeline for Walt Disney World, where the 50th Anniversary running through early 2023 and new attraction openings lined up to occur through that summer. Accordingly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Splash Mountain close in January 2023 and reopen in Summer 2024 at Magic Kingdom, being the headliner addition that year. That’s a guess–not rumor–and one that could (literally) be off by years, so don’t put much stock in it.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on the new Splash Mountain concept art? Pleased that it sounds like some of the musical critters that perform in the current incarnation of the attraction will appear in the reimagined version? Expectations regarding the Splash Mountain reimagining timeline? Keep the comments civil, as this is not the place for politically-charged arguing, culture wars, antagonism, personal attacks, or cheap shots. We will be heavy-handed in deleting any comments that cross the line, irrespective of viewpoint. You are not going to change anyone’s mind via the comments section on this blog, nor are you going to change Disney’s priorities. If you wish to shout your outrage into the internet abyss, that’s why Facebook was invented.
@Lovio the inspiration came from the original log flume ride at Knott’s Berry Farm, among other things. While it’s been a while, I don’t recall a log flume in SOTS. But it’s a cool, happy theme with good songs and characters, very, very loosely associated with the movie. Even that’s really a stretch as it was one folk story from the movie. The usual, people trying to find a problem where there isn’t one just to have something to complain about instead of enjoying life. It’s a fun ride, I mean attraction, as it is. I may just have more sentimental attachment to it as-is because as a CM I got to test ride it 48 times before it opened…
I think it’s safe to say ALOT of people don’t know where the theme or inspiration for this attraction has even come from. What they see is this country critter theme and a water ride, not knowing this was an actual controversy film that got pretty much canceled and Disney caught up in a uproar !
Paul – I had never heard of Dooky Chase’s restaurant before. Thanks for the brief history and bio of Mrs Chase.
The best news out of this for me is that they will be keeping many of the old America Sings AAs. That was my biggest worry about the re-theming. I love those figures and seeing them in Splash Mountain always gives me a smile.
@Mickey1928 well said. Sadly, it’s going the way of Trader Sam, who’s now been whitewashed into nothing more than a junk salesman, his culture stolen by invaders… I wonder what all these whiners are going to do after they have nothing left to complain about. I worked at MK when Splash opened, with people from all over the world, from all different cultures, and none of them had any problems with any of it. We all got along just fine and learned from each other. Not just the CP kids partying 24/7 at Vista Lay, but many older CMs who’d been there since park opening or had even worked at DL before. It was a great time to be there.
@Tom, you KNOW MK needs another quality restaurant too! While I love LTT, Skipper Canteen, and Plaza, a new counter service place that’s actually good would be a huge win for MK.
As for theming, others have said it too. Are they going to try to re-theme the entire area from Splash Holler under the train station all the way down to the parade route, splitting Frontierland in half? It’s going to be bizarre. A new land would be so much better… And you know when they say retheme an attraction it really is code for “we don’t want to spend the money to do this right, but just keep coming and you’ll eventually get used to it, suckers!”
@Chasgoose
Thank you for your contribution. Splash Mt is a fun ride that would be exhilarating even if everyone was blindfolded. You’re right that the song will be eliminated but I think it’s a mistake. First it’s really not the ride that’s problematic but because it’s associated to the film which is problematic. The film takes place a few years after the war has ended but “simpler times” doesn’t have anything to do with the time when slavery was legal. That’s people adding 2 + 2 and coming up with 7. Simpler times is a reference to innocence. just like Once upon a time, A long time ago or In a galaxy far far away are simply disclaimers and announcements that the story is about to start. If I were to use the expression a simpler time today in 2021 what time am I going back to? Before weapons of mass destruction, before electricity, before the invention of the wheel? Is it a definite “time” at all or a state of mind in a metaphysical land of innocence? It’s the later when we were too young to know about evil because the truth is from the beginning of human history there never has been a simpler time. The song itself was written in Sept 1946 and had no connection to blackface minstrel shows which hit their zenith in the 19th century and were on the way out in the 1940’s. I know some of the connections people have tried to make to a minstrel song Zip A Coon which was sung to the tune of Turkey in the Straw but it’s a stretch. Doo Dah is a real word meaning incredible excitement and used in the song Camptown Races but doo dah was a word that was used in those days like poppycock and balderdash were. All of them now defunct. The songs creators came up with this song on their own whatever their musical influences growing up were. it was not meant for minstrel shows. The bluebird as a good luck symbol can be traced all the way back to ancient China. Does that make it a cultural appropriation? The song is a happy positive award winning song with a catchy tune and it’s sad that it’s being cancelled. I say this as a person who’s family is biracial. The problem lies with Disney who has increasingly mishandled Song of the South from the day it came out.
I just don’t get it. It sounds as if they are going to do this halfway. I don’t expect much from this change and I’m going to miss the current academy award winning music. However, as much as I like what’s there, I was thinking I like the music from the Princess and the Frog, especially the villain’s song, “Friends on the other side.” That scene would be amazing and with the success of villains merchandise and special events, I would think they would want more of that. I love Brer Rabbit, Bear and Fox – but are they just going to keep the other critters and get rid of the main characters.?Sounds like it. I don’t like retheming in general like Stitches Great Escape.
The New Orleans Advocate/NOLA.com is speculating that there’s a possibility that the Chase family might be involved with restaurant plans for New Orleans Square at Disneyland, given the depth of discussions between daughter Stella Chase and the Disney team. It is way too early to know whether anything will take place, but food from Dooky Chase’s, even under a “Tiana” tag would be an outstanding addition to any of Disney’s parks or the cruise line.
Oh wow, I had not even considered this!
I have zero insight into this whatsoever, but it’s certainly something that sounds plausible on its face. That would be awesome–a win for Disney, guests, and the Chase family! If it happens, my hope is that the location takes over Hungry Bear rather than Cafe Orleans. Disneyland could use another table service restaurant, anyway.
I still maintain that the loss of the African-American folktales, which are completely stripped away from the Song of the South framework, will be a cultural tragedy, as the tens of millions of Americans who experience it each year at Disneyland and Disney World, will never be exposed to the folktales told by slaves as entertainment.
For me, the best outcome would be adding Tiana as a framework to tell the story of Brer Rabbit, to keep the visitors entertained, which could be an improvement on the experience as many who enjoy the story still don’t know the source of the stories. Not holding my breath.
Worth noting: the Maelstrom’s last day of operation was October 5, 2014; Frozen Ever After opened June 21, 2016. So, Tom’s 1 1/2 years ballparking seems to be a decent rule of thumb.
As I write this in the New Orleans metro area, just a tiny bit above sea level, mountain + southern Louisiana is purely ridiculous. Also, the geography of Splash Mountain has ZERO in common with that of Louisiana. The highest pot in La. is Mt. Driskill, well over 300 miles from NOLA, and only 535 feet high.
Ms. Leah Chase, however, is something entirely different. The head chef for decades at the restaurant she ran, Dooky Chase’s, Ms Leah was a truly beloved figure by the time she passed away. She married jazz musician Edgar “Dooky” Chase in 1946, and started helping her in-laws with their food stand. Over time, the stand became the current sitdown restaurant with Leah and Dooky owning it, but with Leah the chef and running it how she wanted. Ms. Leah would note that musician Dooky hated it, but he did it out of love for her. She brought in a lot of creole recipes at that point, via her family, that were often only served in white restaurants. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant became a de facto HQ throughout the Civil Rights movement. It is where meetings were held when MLK Jr. and others came from Alabama to learn about the earlier Baton Rouge bus boycotts so that they could organize the Montgomery bus boycotts. It would serve as a meeting place for other protests organized by the local NAACP.
Ms. Leah would be very much involved in the art scene, and was one of the first African-Americans to be on the board of the New Orleans Museum of Art. She would also be known throughout the community for her role as a lunchtime TV chef for many years, even into her 90s, showing how to cook excellent and delicious food on the news at noon.
Ms. Leah would win many honors in her life, and would pass away on June 1, 2019 at the age of 96, beloved by her family, but also by the entire New Orleans metro community. You could not ask for a better inspiration for Tiana than Ms. Leah.