PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 1/22/23 (The Last Day of Splash Mountain, Ariel’s Grotto Meet & Greet Returns, New Runaway Railway Adaptable Ear Headband, & More)

Madison Skowronski

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 1/22/23 (The Last Day of Splash Mountain, Ariel’s Grotto Meet & Greet Returns, New Runaway Railway Adaptable Ear Headband, & More)

It’s time for our Sunday stroll, and today is extra special. Join us around Magic Kingdom as we ride Splash Mountain one last time, meet Ariel inside her grotto once again, and more.

02D275B3 FA86 42D1 B2F5 8D0CDA689DF1

We’re one of the first on the bridge, and it soon filled up quickly with eager guests. Everyone was ready to bid farewell to Splash Mountain, and give a warm welcome to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, coming 2024.

FDA0029B FC21 470B A1FC 2ED419676232

It was a mad dash over to Chick-A-Pin Hill.

E2B25D2A 3A66 419C A1FA A935CE880C7D

The wait time quickly grew to over 100 minutes, and later in the day it reached 220 minutes. The Lighting Lane selection times for Splash Mountain were sold out before 8:00am.

As we were walking in and out of the park, we realized that “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” had been removed from the entrance loop music.

WDW MK Ariels Grotto reopens 10

Ariel’s Grotto meet and greet returned after being closed for 3 years. Princess Ariel was eager to greet guests and talk about her favorite treasures.

WDW MK Ariels Grotto reopens 21

An automated PhotoPass machine was in place but not operational, at this time.

WDW MK Ariels Grotto reopens 15

Princess Ariel showed us that some of her treasures are hidden in the automated PhotoPass machine case.

WDW Mickey Minnies Runaway Railway Ear Headband adjustable 3

We spotted a new adaptable Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ear headband at Big Top Souvenirs. Chuuby is featured in the middle.

WDW Mickey Minnies Runaway Railway Ear Headband adjustable 12

The attraction logo is printed along one side of the headband.

27D006F8 2DCF 4F53 A8F0 EEB109C56039

Back over at Splash Mountain, we noticed extremely long lines for the pressed penny machines. This one was having to be restocked.

9B8BF893 28BA 49DF 8398 47D3833C6973

We were able to ride the attraction a few times today. On our last ride of the day, we were able to catch the fireworks of Enchantment as we splashed our way through the attraction.

@wdwnt

We got to ride Splash Mountain tonight for one final ride and managed to get fireworks view, one last time 🥹💦 #disney #disneyworld #disneyparks #splashmountain #disneyfireworks #splashmountainride #fyp #foryou

♬ original sound – WDW NEWS TODAY
34FD4A05 5EA3 4E77 9010 E5E8871808D0
WDW MK Splash Mountain Last Day PhotoPass 3

On our way out, we noticed that a PhotoPass photographer was set up in front of Splash Mountain.

WDW MK Splash Mountain Last Day PhotoPass 4

If you are wanting to know the complete history of Splash Mountain, you can read all about it here. Were you able to take your Last Splash on Splash Mountain? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for joining us today, and we’ll see ya real soon.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.