PHOTOS: Giant Hole Cut Into Splash Mountain For Transformation Into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom

Shannen Ace

PHOTOS: Giant Hole Cut Into Splash Mountain For Transformation Into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom

After marking the spot with spray paint, crews have cut a giant hole into the front of Splash Mountain as it is transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom.

Splash Mountain Façade

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The hole in the mountain is behind the scaffolding and blue scrim.

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Some of the steel framework and supports for the mountain are now visible.

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A bit of yellow caution tape hangs from inside the hole.

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Most façade demolition so far has taken place below, around the flume after the ride’s drop.

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Another hole has been cut into the façade near the tree at the very top of Splash Mountain.

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The hole is to the left, just below the roots.

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Planks of wood extend from the scaffolding here in front of the hole, but we can see the ragged white edges.

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On the ride track to the side of the mountain, we could see construction materials staged.

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It looks like poles for more scaffolding.

Splash Mountain Flume

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Down in the flume, crew members continue to work on the track running beneath the Frontierland bridge.

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A large black tarp is being used to cover the holes cut into the façade down here. A smaller square of tarp in a frame protects the crew from the sun.

Splash Mountain Queue

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We noticed exposed wiring in the ground of the queue.

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The crate-like podium was moved, exposing the wiring in the ground beneath it.

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This is at the Lightning Lane entrance.

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From a Walt Disney World Railroad train, we saw some scrim and scaffolding at the back of the mountain.

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We also noticed that the Br’er Rabbit-shaped wind vane remains.

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In front of the queue barn, crew members were rolling a cart stacked with poles, possibly for a tent to be erected over a construction area.

Splash Mountain closed permanently in January 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 featuring Louis, Tiana, and animal band

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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2 thoughts on “PHOTOS: Giant Hole Cut Into Splash Mountain For Transformation Into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom”

  1. They need that big hole to remove the seventy something animatronics and install all the screens and fog machines.

  2. Yet another example of Disney wasting money while Universal builds a new park. Universal can afford to build epic universe because it did not throw away 71 billion dollars on 20 th century fox..

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