Splash Mountain

As you may already know, Splash Mountain is my favorite ride. I really think it’s a perfect example of what Disney can do right. I thought I’d do a walkthrough of the ride for those (I’m trying to be optimistic. I know no one reads this blog) who have never had a chance to ride Splash Mountain and for those who want to remember it.

The Approach

Splash Mountain is in Frontier Land in the Magic Kingdom. You see and even hear Splash Mountain from quite a distance. There are two walkways that cross over or have a great view of the final plunge. This only increases your excitement as you see people flying down the chute screaming their brains out.

The Queue

The Queue to Splash Mountain is long. It’s possibly the longest queue I’ve seen when it’s completely opened up. You will also walkthrough rustic buildings with numerous props and an open courtyard with trees and other. The final part of the queue enters what is basically a cave. For some reason entering the low light of this cave gets you excited. It could be the music or the story being told through this part but it’s prime Disney. The queue ends by opening up into a court yard that takes your breath away. There is a massive tree and a number of buildings with the actual ride going right through the middle.

The Ride Part One

Once you board you go up a small incline with Brer Frog starting the story. You then dump into a small pool which tends to kill people who don’t like thrill rides. Why is that? It’s because the pool goes around the final plunge. You get a perfect view of the plunge from all angles. You can also look off to the left and see everyone watching you and get a good view of Frontier Land. This part of the ride ends with a lift that brings you to part two of the ride.

The Ride Part Two

The lift dumps you into a well themed outside area. There are some fun inside jokes through here like the muskrats massive tank of moonshine. This is the only alcohol in the Magic Kingdom but don’t try to get out of the log to get any, Disney doesn’t like that. It’s in this section that the music starts. In my opinion Splash Mountain has some of the best music in Walt Disney World. You can get some great views of the magic kingdom near the end of this section. Near the end of this section you see Brer Rabbit’s hole and hear him say a few things. This section ends with “Slippin’ Falls” or at least I think that’s what it’s called. This is basically a small plunge into the next section of the ride but it’s enough to get you going.

The Ride Part Three

After the first drop you enter the first real dark part of the ride. There are numerous audio animatronics including some fishing birds. The birds are not catching much even though the fish are jumping. One of the birds did manage to catch his buddy’s hat on the end of his hook. This is also the first time you see you see Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit as the start their pursuit of Brer Rabbit. Brer Rabbit shows up and says he’s moving on. The whole scene is has the “How Do You Do?” song playing in the background. Other players in this scene are the other rabbits saying how bad of an idea leaving home is, some animals playing some musical instruments, and some frogs hanging out. Near the middle of this scene is a humorous scene with brer bear caught in a trap that left him hanging from the ceiling. He thinks it’s funny and is laughing but Brer Fox doesn’t find it funny. The scene ends with Brer Bear standing on Brer Fox’s shoulders while he is trying to crawl through a hole. After that you go down a chute in the dark. It’s possibly smaller than “Slippin Falls” but since it’s in the dark it seems huge.

Part Four – Laughing Place

The first thing you see after you get out of the dark is Brer Bear with a beehive stuck on his nose. There are a lot of beehives with some really nice effects to make it look like they have bees swarming around them hanging from the ceiling. Throughout this section you hear the song “Laughin Place.” You next see Brer Fox about to smash a beehive on Brer Rabbit who is distracted and laughing at Brer Bear. After that scene you go down another drop in the dark. This one has a rolling end that really adds to the thrill. When you splash down you’re in a flooded cavern with lots of turtles hanging out and having fun. There are also a number of jumping fountains in this area. Near the end you see Brer Fox holding Brer Rabbit by the ears. Brer Rabbit has the beehive around his body which is keeping him trapped. At the end of this section are the two vultures that chatter back and forth. There are light effects that make it seem like there is lightening striking. Just beyond them is a long, dark lift with a bright light at the end.

Part Five - The Plunge

As you creep closer to the light there is dramatic music and you can see Brer Rabbit at the top off to the left. He is tied up next to a cook pot. He’s also interacting with Brer Fox and telling him that he doesn’t care what happens to him as long as he doesn’t get thrown into the Brayer Patch. You eclipse the top and for a second you have one of the best views in all of Disney World. You only have a second because the next thing you know you are dropping down the steep chute. Remember to make a funny face, don’t let your shirt “accidently” fly up, and scream your brains out. You hit the bottom and water flies everywhere.

Part Six – The End

As you try to wring yourself out you go around a bend and hear the music for Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. You enter another cave into another “dark ride” section. A large riverboat is in this room with a ton of characters singing and dancing. There are also some fishing alligators in this scene off to your left. If you look in the sky you’ll notice a hidden Mickey in the clouds. If you really twist around you can also see windows that allow people on the train you look into the ride. You go around another bend and see Brer Bear with his head stuck in a hole in the Brayer patch. Brer Fox is on his back, yelling at him because na alligator has snagged his tail and is trying to pull him into the water. You also see Brer Rabbit saying how good it is to be home. This finishes the ride. Next you’re back where you started and exit to the left.

The Exit

Like almost all new rides you exit into a gift shop. Just before that they show you the ride photos. As long as your shirt didn’t “accidently” fly up you get too see yourself flying down the drop. There are also bathrooms near here incase you need to change the underwear you ruined whiled going down the final plunge. You can then proceed into the gift shop where you can buy your photo. The photos on Splash Mountain are good. They might be the best ride photo in Disney World. When you walk out of the exit Brer Fox and Brer Bear are sometimes found there for a photo op.