Reaction mixed as Disney World’s Splash Mountain closes. Some mourn, others praise move

Jan. 22 was a day of mourning for many Disney World fans in Orlando, Florida.

Tears were shed, memorials were made and heartfelt messages were posted on social media. The somberness was for Splash Mountain’s last day — a ride with a racially turbulent history.

And while many welcomed Disney’s departure from the controversial ride and the move to a more inclusive storyline, others took it hard — and some found ways to profit off the closure.

Dozens of Splash Mountain water bottles and bags are for sale on eBay, the most expensive being sold for $1,000. Others are selling maps that still mark Splash Mountain. People are buying them, too. Multiple batches of water have bids and saves from buyers looking to snag the best deals.

Splash Mountain carried Disney World visitors through swampy wood scenery in a hollow log boat and featured characters like Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear, characters originating from an old Disney film “Song of the South” that has been criticized for its racist themes.

Disney announced in 2020 that the ride will not go away entirely, though — it will be rethemed to take riders through the story of Princess Tiana from The Princess and The Frog.

“With this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive — one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year,” Disney said in a statement.

Before the ride closed for good, fans paid their respects at a stuffed animal memorial out front of the ride. Others said they were in mourning or sobbing over the closure of Splash Mountain.

“So sad and uncalled for,” one person commented on a Splash Mountain farewell TikTok.

“I understand things change but this is a tough one,” another person said.

Hundreds of people filled the lines to ride Splash Mountain one last time, Twitter videos showed. At some point, yelling and fighting ensued as people tried to be the last on the ride.

Some Disney onlookers criticized the dramatic goodbye to the attraction.

“People are making a memorial for a ride. Embarrassing,” one Twitter user said — facing harsh backlash from other fans.

“It’s just a ride and it’s only getting revamped into Princess Tiana theme,” another said. “It’s not going anywhere.”

A 2020 Change.org petition received nearly 100,000 signatures to “save” Splash Mountain and is still receiving signatures as of Jan. 24.

The new ride, coined “Taina’s Bayou Adventure” plans to open in late 2024, according to Disney.

Disneyland Park in California will also close Splash Mountain and revamp the ride to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but has not released when the closure will happen on its ride website.

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