Crews have begun cutting into the Splash Mountain tree at Magic Kingdom to remove it as the ride is transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Splash Mountain Tree
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 1 splash mountain tree cutting 6513](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6513.jpg)
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.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 2 splash mountain tree cutting 6522](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6522.jpg)
Late last month, scaffolding was erected all around the tree for it to be removed.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 3 splash mountain tree cutting 6517](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6517.jpg)
The large tree can’t be removed in one go, but we saw crew members cutting into the top of it this morning.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 4 splash mountain tree cutting 6518](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6518.jpg)
Crews had also cut a small hole into the mountain just below the tree roots last month.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 5 splash mountain tree cutting 6519](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6519.jpg)
The opening of the ride’s famous drop is also completely covered in scaffolding.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 6 splash mountain tree cutting 6524](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6524.jpg)
There were several crew members on the scaffolding to work on cutting the tree down.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 7 splash mountain tree cutting 6525](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6525.jpg)
It could take a few days of construction for the tree to be completely removed.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 8 splash mountain tree cutting 6527](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6527.jpg)
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 9 splash mountain tree cutting 6530](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6530.jpg)
More Splash Mountain Construction
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 10 splash mountain tree cutting 6523](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6523.jpg)
We noticed an orange flag next to another tree near the top of the mountain. Judging by the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model that was displayed at D23 Expo 2022 (which was specifically for the Disneyland version but also reflects the Magic Kingdom version), this tree and others may be removed.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 11 splash mountain tree cutting 6514](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-tree-cutting-6514.jpg)
A week ago, the track going beneath the Frontierland bridge was repainted. We usually see crew members working down here, but not so today.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 12 splash mountain construction 6537](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6537.jpg)
It looks like more scaffolding has been added around the side of the mountain, near the attraction’s main entrance.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 13 splash mountain construction 6538](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6538.jpg)
We also saw crew members working here.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 14 splash mountain construction 6539](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6539.jpg)
Splash Mountain Queue Excavation
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 15 splash mountain construction 6543](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6543.jpg)
From the Walt Disney World Railroad, we saw excavation underway on the ground-level portion of the Splash Mountain queue.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 16 splash mountain construction 6548](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6548.jpg)
A crew member was shoveling dirt into a giant pile outside the barn façade, although we couldn’t at first see where the dirt was coming from.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 17 splash mountain construction 6545](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6545.jpg)
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 18 splash mountain construction 6546](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6546.jpg)
Birdhouses were removed from the Splash Mountain queue early on in the construction process.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 19 splash mountain construction 6547](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6547.jpg)
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 20 splash mountain construction 6549](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6549.jpg)
The shutters of the barn window were removed a few weeks ago and dark curtains block the view of the interior most of the time.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 21 splash mountain construction 6552](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6552.jpg)
This morning, though, we could see through the doorway of the barn to where the ground has been dug up. Two more crew members were digging inside.
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 22 splash mountain construction 6553](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6553.jpg)
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 23 splash mountain construction 6550](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/04/splash-mountain-construction-6550.jpg)
Dark curtains also block the view of the queue on the second level.
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
![PHOTOS: Crews Begin Cutting Down Splash Mountain Tree at Magic Kingdom 24 tianas bayou adventure scale model 0193 1](https://media.wdwnt.com/2022/09/tianas-bayou-adventure-scale-model-0193-1-1200x900.jpg)
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:
- Logo for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Revealed
- First Look at Tiana’s New Outfit for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Model at D23 Expo 2022 Shows Removal of Iconic Splash Mountain Tree
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Backstory and More Information Revealed at D23 Expo 2022
- More Details Revealed for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Story, Original Cast Returning
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