Splash Mountain: Zip a Dee Doo Dah Down the Mountain!
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-day, my oh my what a wonderful day!
If you’re not familiar with this familiar tune sung by Louis Armstrong, you haven’t lived. And you must not have ever been on one of Disney’s most iconic rides, Splash Mountain. As some of you may know, the Splash Mountain attraction is based on Disney’s 1946 movie Songs of the South. I know, I know, but it did give us the ride we know and love today.
Opening in 1989 in Disneyland and 1992 in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, it is a retelling of some of Uncle Remus’ stories. Now, before we move on, let’s talk about this. Songs of the South is actually based on the books of Uncle Remus’ tales written by Joel Chandler Harris starting back in 1881. It was his way to discuss some of the conflict going on in the southern part of the United States at the time, specifically on the plantations. Although some ways in which these stories were framed back then have been met with controversy in the modern era, Splash Mountain is testimony that classic characters such as Br’er Rabbit really do stand the test of time.
Speaking of Br'er Rabbit, he is voiced in modern animations and the Splash Mountain rides by Jess Harnell. Harnell has incidentally has provided the voices for Wacko Warner from Animaniacs, Crash Bandicoot from the Crash Bandicoot video game series, and even Br'er Fox in the Splash Mountain rides as well!
Back to the ride. We have our protagonist, Br’er Rabbit, trying to outplay the mischievous but not necessarily smart Br’er Bear and the cunning but easily tricked Br’er Fox. This ride was first a conception of Tony Baxter, a Disney Imagineer who wanted to increase attendance at Disneyland’s Bear Country (now Critter Country). At the time, it was only inhabited by a souvenir shop and Country Bear Jamboree, which wasn’t doing so hot on its own.
Construction began in 1987 in Disneyland. However, the project went pretty far over budget.
What to do, what to do...
Oh yeah! Recycle characters from another ride! DUH!
America Sings’ characters were incorporated into the ride to make up for this budget nightmare. Yes, the same ride that crushed Debbie Stone to death in 1974. The main characters were also added from scratch, bringing together the historical tales of Br’er Rabbit. Zip-a-Dee River Run, as it was originally conceptualised, was later renamed to Splash Mountain in an attempt to hype up their upcoming movie, Splash.
Opening day didn’t go so great, with riders (mostly executives) getting a dousing that not even Noah’s Ark could stop. The boats were redesigned to fix this issue, ultimately being lighter, holding less passengers, and having a redesigned bow to prevent so much splashing.
This ride is a must-see at the Disney parks, receiving refurbishment yearly to ensure it is in tip-top shape for generations to come.
So, Let’s Talk the Ride!
*Spoiler Alert*
As my husband’s favourite ride, we need to discuss this ride in more detail. I mean, you get to sit in a log! Come on, people!
In both Disneyland and Disney World, guests leave the loading station in their log. There is a small drop around which you float along peacefully towards the indoor portion of the ride. In Disneyland, you can hear snoring coming from Br’er Bear’s cave, as a homage to the original Bear Country. In Disney World, you will hear introductory narrations of Br’er Frog prior to the small drop.
The homes of Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox are incorporated nicely into the landscape of the ride. There’s obviously bound to be trouble down the road with these three in such close proximity to one another! After passing Br’er Bear’s cave, you descend into utter madness down the Slippin’ Falls.
Inside, characters sing “How Do You Do?” and Br’er Rabbit is shown leaving home. In Disneyland, he tells Br’er Frog that he’s going in search of his Laughin’ Place. In Disney World, he tells this to Mr. Bluebird. Either way, he’s in for a nasty surprise!
Not far behind is said nasty surprise: Br’er Bear! But his foolishness gets him sprung up in Br'er Fox's trap and attacked by bees, so there’s always that going for our furry friend.
Unfortunately for Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox isn’t far behind! As Br'er Rabbit laughs hysterically at Br'er Bear in the Laughin' Place, Br'er Fox is ready to get him! He manages to trap Br’er Rabbit in a beehive. A ‘sticky’ situation indeed. You climb up that final conveyor belt to the big drop. Vultures above you essentially predict your doom. And look creepy doing it. On your way up, it shows Br’er Fox about to eat Br’er Rabbit! That escalated quickly.
After begging not to be tossed in the Briar Patch, that is exactly what Br'er Fox does to Br'er Rabbit. What he doesn't realize is that the Briar Patch has been Br'er Rabbit's home all along. Riders descend down the steepest drop in the ride. After a short outdoor section, the log drifts into Doo Dah Landing, where the critters are singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" for Br'er Rabbit's return and outsmarting of Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Many of the critters party aboard a river boat. Gotta have an ol' fashioned shindig when your friend manages to not end up as lunch! Br'er Fox and Be'er Bear are nearby, trying to get away from Br'er Gator and doing a poor job of it. Br'er Rabbit is at his home singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and relaxing after a hectic day indeed!
Well, Br'er Rabbit lives to see another day. Now what?
Let's Talk Merch!
Merch through Disney (affiliate) is fairly limited for the Splash Mountain ride, with only a few items available at any given time. If you are looking for your fix, your best bet is to go with an unofficial seller. A seller with good quality shirts is TeePublic. (affiliate) However, it is best to wash these inside out for the first few washes. This helps you to retain the print on the shirt longer. Another option I like is Etsy. They have a variety of items, from shirts, all the way to posters and home decorations. I'm planning to get a sign of some sort myself! Hard to decide between a poster from the ride or a sign for the Laughin' Place.
Is Splash Mountain a must-see on your Disney bucket list? Or is it a hard pass for you? Comment and subscribe :)
If you’re not familiar with this familiar tune sung by Louis Armstrong, you haven’t lived. And you must not have ever been on one of Disney’s most iconic rides, Splash Mountain. As some of you may know, the Splash Mountain attraction is based on Disney’s 1946 movie Songs of the South. I know, I know, but it did give us the ride we know and love today.
Opening in 1989 in Disneyland and 1992 in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, it is a retelling of some of Uncle Remus’ stories. Now, before we move on, let’s talk about this. Songs of the South is actually based on the books of Uncle Remus’ tales written by Joel Chandler Harris starting back in 1881. It was his way to discuss some of the conflict going on in the southern part of the United States at the time, specifically on the plantations. Although some ways in which these stories were framed back then have been met with controversy in the modern era, Splash Mountain is testimony that classic characters such as Br’er Rabbit really do stand the test of time.
Speaking of Br'er Rabbit, he is voiced in modern animations and the Splash Mountain rides by Jess Harnell. Harnell has incidentally has provided the voices for Wacko Warner from Animaniacs, Crash Bandicoot from the Crash Bandicoot video game series, and even Br'er Fox in the Splash Mountain rides as well!
Back to the ride. We have our protagonist, Br’er Rabbit, trying to outplay the mischievous but not necessarily smart Br’er Bear and the cunning but easily tricked Br’er Fox. This ride was first a conception of Tony Baxter, a Disney Imagineer who wanted to increase attendance at Disneyland’s Bear Country (now Critter Country). At the time, it was only inhabited by a souvenir shop and Country Bear Jamboree, which wasn’t doing so hot on its own.
 |
| It’s a good time to be alive. Your ancestors got to play with sticks and stones - you get to do this! |
What to do, what to do...
Oh yeah! Recycle characters from another ride! DUH!
America Sings’ characters were incorporated into the ride to make up for this budget nightmare. Yes, the same ride that crushed Debbie Stone to death in 1974. The main characters were also added from scratch, bringing together the historical tales of Br’er Rabbit. Zip-a-Dee River Run, as it was originally conceptualised, was later renamed to Splash Mountain in an attempt to hype up their upcoming movie, Splash.
Opening day didn’t go so great, with riders (mostly executives) getting a dousing that not even Noah’s Ark could stop. The boats were redesigned to fix this issue, ultimately being lighter, holding less passengers, and having a redesigned bow to prevent so much splashing.
This ride is a must-see at the Disney parks, receiving refurbishment yearly to ensure it is in tip-top shape for generations to come.
So, Let’s Talk the Ride!
*Spoiler Alert*
As my husband’s favourite ride, we need to discuss this ride in more detail. I mean, you get to sit in a log! Come on, people!
 |
| Get on the ride unless you want to be tossed in the Briar Patch! |
The homes of Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox are incorporated nicely into the landscape of the ride. There’s obviously bound to be trouble down the road with these three in such close proximity to one another! After passing Br’er Bear’s cave, you descend into utter madness down the Slippin’ Falls.
Inside, characters sing “How Do You Do?” and Br’er Rabbit is shown leaving home. In Disneyland, he tells Br’er Frog that he’s going in search of his Laughin’ Place. In Disney World, he tells this to Mr. Bluebird. Either way, he’s in for a nasty surprise!
Not far behind is said nasty surprise: Br’er Bear! But his foolishness gets him sprung up in Br'er Fox's trap and attacked by bees, so there’s always that going for our furry friend.
 |
| Br’er Bear: Bringing your entertainment for the day since 1881. |
After begging not to be tossed in the Briar Patch, that is exactly what Br'er Fox does to Br'er Rabbit. What he doesn't realize is that the Briar Patch has been Br'er Rabbit's home all along. Riders descend down the steepest drop in the ride. After a short outdoor section, the log drifts into Doo Dah Landing, where the critters are singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" for Br'er Rabbit's return and outsmarting of Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Many of the critters party aboard a river boat. Gotta have an ol' fashioned shindig when your friend manages to not end up as lunch! Br'er Fox and Be'er Bear are nearby, trying to get away from Br'er Gator and doing a poor job of it. Br'er Rabbit is at his home singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and relaxing after a hectic day indeed!
Well, Br'er Rabbit lives to see another day. Now what?
Let's Talk Merch!
Merch through Disney (affiliate) is fairly limited for the Splash Mountain ride, with only a few items available at any given time. If you are looking for your fix, your best bet is to go with an unofficial seller. A seller with good quality shirts is TeePublic. (affiliate) However, it is best to wash these inside out for the first few washes. This helps you to retain the print on the shirt longer. Another option I like is Etsy. They have a variety of items, from shirts, all the way to posters and home decorations. I'm planning to get a sign of some sort myself! Hard to decide between a poster from the ride or a sign for the Laughin' Place.
Is Splash Mountain a must-see on your Disney bucket list? Or is it a hard pass for you? Comment and subscribe :)
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