PHOTOS: Scaffolding Now Surrounds Splash Mountain Tree, Removal Imminent as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Progresses at Magic Kingdom

Shannen Ace

Splash Mountain tree with scaffolding around it

PHOTOS: Scaffolding Now Surrounds Splash Mountain Tree, Removal Imminent as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Progresses at Magic Kingdom

Scaffolding now completely surrounds the tree at the top of Splash Mountain as crews prepare to remove it for the transformation of the Magic Kingdom attraction into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Splash Mountain Tree

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Scaffolding covers much of the attraction’s mountainous façade, too, and we have seen large holes cut into the fake rockwork.

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Scaffolding wraps around the entire tree, with a wooden platform near the top.

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Although the tree was originally part of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure concept art, it was later revealed that it would be removed as the ride’s backstory was altered.

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Through the hole on the front of the mountain, we can see the ride’s steel framework.

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The ride track will not change, but the details used to tell the story surrounding the track continue to evolve as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is brought to life in Magic Kingdom.

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Some of the façade around the tree’s roots has been cut away.

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Splash Mountain closed permanently in January at Walt Disney World. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to replace the attraction at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in 2024. Read our complete history of Splash Mountain for a look back at the classic log flume ride.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept art featuring Louis, Tiana, and animal band

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure 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.

The attraction will follow Tiana venturing into the bayou to find animal friends. She’s hosting a party for the people of New Orleans, but it’s missing a special ingredient. Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie).

Read more details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:

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