One of the last remnants of Splash Mountain has been removed from Magic Kingdom: the pressed penny machine.
Splash Mountain Pressed Pennies
There were previously two Splash Mountain pressed penny machines. After Splash Mountain permanently closed in January to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, one pressed penny machine featuring Splash Mountain designs was briefly gone. It returned a few days later but was permanently removed in March. The second pressed penny machine was moved from inside Splashdown Photos to near the restrooms behind the Frontierland train station. That one has remained for the past six months, but as of this morning, is gone.
This machine previously offered two Splash Mountain pressed penny designs and one 50th anniversary pressed penny design.
The Splash Mountain designs featured Mickey and friends riding the log flume attraction, and Br’er Bear, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Rabbit riding it (see below).
Miss Splash Mountain? Join us for our “last splash” at Magic Kingdom and read our complete history of Splash Mountain. The ride was recently removed from the Magic Kingdom braille map.
Splash Mountain permanently closed in May at Disneyland.
If you’re a pressed penny collector, check out our full list with locations of Disney100 pressed pennies at Walt Disney World.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” In 1927, Tiana founded the Tiana’s Foods co-ops, which is located in a salt mine, where cultivators grow crops along the waters. During Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana and alligator Louis venture into the bayou to find animal friends. They’re preparing a special Mardi Gras celebration for the people of New Orleans.
The scene depicted in the above concept art is “the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Louis and a band of animals will be playing zydeco music, a blend of rhythm and blues that was created in Louisiana. The band of animal friends includes an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle playing instruments made from natural bayou elements.
The ride will feature 17 new characters, including Prince Naveen’s younger brother, Ralphie. The Splash Mountain track will remain, but the attraction will get new set dressing and audio-animatronics. There will be multiple Tiana audio-animatronics, and she will have a new adventuring outfit.
The exterior landscaping is being made to look more like the Louisiana bayou, and a Tiana’s Foods water tower will be installed soon.
The queue and attraction music is being arranged by award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, who will mix classic songs from the movie with New Orleans classics and original compositions. The scent of beignets is also set to be pumped throughout the queue.
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). Concept art shows Mama Odie in the crow’s nest of her crashed ship home, with bottle lights hanging around her.
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Oh good, at least the pay phone remains…because you know.