More Holes Cut Into Façade, Queue Lights Removed as Splash Mountain is Transformed Into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Shannen Ace

More Holes Cut Into Façade, Queue Lights Removed as Splash Mountain is Transformed Into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

At Magic Kingdom, more holes have been cut into the façade of Splash Mountain next to the flume at the bottom of the ride’s drop as it is turned into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Splash Mountain Flume

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This is where we have been able to see the most construction activity, including work inside the tunnels under the Frontierland bridge.

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A black tarp in a frame is up in front of the track going through this tunnel.

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Another black tarp covers some of the holes that were already cut into the rockwork.

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One crew member was working in the tunnel during our most recent trip. There is scaffolding inside the tunnels.

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Another hole was cut into the rockwork façade of the second bridge tunnel a week ago.

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Scaffolding and blue scrim rises up to the top of Splash Mountain now, although we have not seen as much activity on the actual mountain.

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From the bridge, we took a look down at the track coming out of the tunnel, hidden by the black scrim from the other angle. Here, we can see where more of the rock has been ripped away.

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A ladder sits in the track and a wooden crate is on the walkway next to it.

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Red spraypaint is across the rockwork where it has been torn out.

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Splash Mountain Queue

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As we reported yesterday, more Splash Mountain signage has been removed. The Lightning Lane sign still features the Splash Mountain logo, however.

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From the Walt Disney World Railroad station, we can see that electrical work is being done on the Lightning Lane panel.

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The wiring is usually hidden in this crate. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is expected to have Lightning Lane, so this is likely just regular updating or maintenance rather than removal.

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We recently saw crew members sweeping the queue sidewalks, maybe before it receives new pavement.

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Lighting fixtures have been removed from the wall of the ride queue opposite the Walt Disney World Railroad station.

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There are three square holes in the wooden planks.

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Inside the holes, “LIGHT” is written on small metal panels.

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Scrim blocks the doorway and temporary wooden railings are around it.

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Sheets of SkudoBoard, which is often used for protecting the ground from construction vehicles, is leaning against the Splash Mountain barn with wires running between them.

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Mountain Construction

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Though there hasn’t been as much visible activity on the mountain, we did see the birdhouses removed from the tree next to the ride track on the right side.

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There is now scaffolding and scrim wrapping around the lift hill on the left.

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The construction walls are decorated with Tiana’s Foods signs and Southern Dome Salt Company stamps, referencing the backstory for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Please Keep Dry” and “Louisiana” stamps were added later.

Splash Mountain closed permanently last month at Walt Disney World and will close at Disneyland later this year. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to replace the attraction in 2024. Read our complete history of Splash Mountain for a look back at the classic log flume ride.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept art

Disney says that in the upcoming attraction, guests will “join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis during Mardi Gras season as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans.” 

The attraction takes place after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” Tiana’s Foods is an employee-owned community food co-op established by Tiana in 1927, following the success of her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. The co-op is housed inside a salt mine, with growers planting crops along the old Splash Mountain waterway. Guests will ascend through a mill house built into the side of the mountain.

Read more details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:

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