Splash Mountain demolition removes Chickapin Hill tree stump

Splash Mountain demolition continues at Walt Disney World as the Chickapin Hill tree stump has been removed, marking another major step towards the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The Splash Mountain tree stump has been removed to make way for Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

The missing tree stump shows how Walt Disney Imagineers use size illusions to their advantage. Chickapin Hill, above the previous ride’s briar patch, appears very small without its tree stump top. It’s a bit surreal to see how well this size illusion worked.

The current look of the former Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain drop seems pretty timid in comparison to how it resides in our memories. In fact, this makes such a difference that we feel the new ride has to have a hill topper to sell the height of a scary drop.


Splash Mountain is being re-born as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Farther back, near the original attraction entrance, we can see that another smaller tree still remains, but it may also face a similar fate. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a re-birth for this attraction, and may result in the loss of anything that appears dead, like this tree.

Tree still intact at previous Splash Mountain location at Walt Disney World.

Scaffolding has completely encompassed Chickapin Hill at this point. Painters, demolition crews, and Imagineers are working quickly to prepare the ride for its 2024 opening date.

Splash Mountain tree stump demotion at Magic Kingdom.

In California, Disneyland’s Splash Mountain attraction has only a few weeks left, as it prepares to close May 31, 2023. We expect to see the same amount of scaffolding go up soon after, and the same demolition speed, as Disneyland’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also open in 2024.


A post-drop rock formation piques our interest

In a previous article, we looked at this rock formation, which is located right after the big drop. In that article, the rock formation was highlighted with pink paint. We speculated that it could hold a new slow-motion camera, an animatronic, or perhaps just be in the way for construction purposes.

Rock formation work for Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride, opening in 2024.

Either way, it appears to be important, as Disney has now covered this entire area with tarps and temporary covers.

Close-up on Imagineering work for rock formation at Magic Kingdom.

From the other side, we can see that the concrete exterior has been removed. This extensive excavation makes us believe that more could be coming to this area of the ride, but we will have to wait and see.


Splash Mountain’s track layout will live on

For the age of the this attraction, the faux grass still looks surprisingly good, which makes us wonder how much needs to be updated, painted, or swapped out to create the final look. How much of Splash Mountain will survive as part of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? One thing is for sure, the Splash Mountain tree stump won’t be there.

Splash Mountain faux grass still intact at demolition site.

Behind the scaffolding is the infamous drop from Splash Mountain, but don’t worry Splash Mountain fans. This drop will remain just as it was for the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. In fact, you can expect the entire track to remain exactly the same, with only differences in the theming elements.

How often did you ride Splash Mountain? Were you a local passholder who went often? Did you enjoy it numerous times on a yearly trip? Let us know in the comments below.


Tiana’s Bayou Adventure arrives in 2024

Put away those Change.org petitions. The Splash Mountain tree stump may be gone, but a new adventure with Princess Tiana is on the way, with voice-overs from the original cast, a new water tower, original music, and much more.

Alongside Princess Tiana will be Prince Naveen, Louis the alligator, Mama Odie, and a slew of new animal character friends. Once the ride opens in 2024, guests will get to see these new friends as animatronics (24+ new ones according to Disney) as well as enjoy the smell of fresh beignets.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Model, Splash Mountain Redo at D23 Expo 2022

The new attraction will feature original music, as well as songs from “The Princess and the Frog” (2009). There are also rumors that a Tiana’s Palace food location could take over the nearby Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Over at Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, we already know that Tiana is moving in.

Are you ready for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, or are you still mourning the loss of Splash Mountain? Let us know in the comments below.


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