• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Travel

Iconic ride Splash Mountain closes at Disneyland

2:45
Splash Mountain to change amid controversy
Gary Hershorn/Corbis via Getty Images, FILE
ByGMA Team
May 31, 2023, 9:44 PM

Disneyland fans said goodbye this week to the iconic attraction Splash Mountain, which was officially closed on Wednesday, May 31, the company confirmed to ABC News.

In this April 13, 2023, file photo, people ride the Splash Mountain attraction at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, Calif.
Gary Hershorn/Corbis via Getty Images, FILE

The company said in April that the ride's last day of operation would be May 30, 2023.

Splash Mountain closed at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in January.

Editor’s Picks

Tiana's Palace restaurant coming to life at Disneyland later this year

  • Jan 12, 2023

Talent behind music for 'The Princess and the Frog' attraction revealed

  • Jun 01, 2023

Disney's Splash Mountain to be re-themed to the 'Princess and the Frog'

  • Jun 25, 2020

Disney announced in 2020 that the Splash Mountain ride at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort would be re-themed to Tiana's Bayou Adventure, to reflect the story of the 2009 film "The Princess and the Frog."

Related Articles

MORE: 'Finding Nemo' turns 20: Alexander Gould, voice of Nemo, reflects on the film

In this April 3, 2023, file photo, Cinderella Castle is shown at the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images, FILE

"In many ways, Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a love letter to New Orleans," Charita Carter, executive producer of relevancy activations for Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement in December 2022. "Like the musical city that inspired this attraction, Tiana's second act is about a community working in harmony to achieve something extraordinary. She reminds us of an immutable truth we can all relate to: 'If you do your best each and every day, good things are sure to come your way.' And that's a melody we can all sing along to!"

Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Princess Tiana, will reprise her role for the attraction, along with Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie) and Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis), Disney announced in December.

The ride will officially reopen in late 2024 at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Resort and at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

In this Sept. 9, 2022, file photo, a model of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, which will reimagine Disneyland's Splash Mountain, is displayed during the Walt Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

Splash Mountain, which was first introduced at Disneyland in 1989, featured characters from the controversial 1946 animated film "Song of the South," which is set during Reconstruction, and has long been criticized for its racist and offensive depiction of Black people, as well as for creating a false narrative surrounding 19th century culture in the South.

Related Articles

MORE: 1st look at all-new 'Disney On Ice' show traveling nationwide

"We continually evaluate opportunities to enhance and elevate experiences for all our guests," Carmen Smith, creative development and inclusive strategies executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement in 2020, following the announcement of the new ride. "It is important that our guests be able to see themselves in the experiences we create. Because we consider ourselves constant learners, we go to great lengths to research and engage cultural advisors and other experts to help guide us along the way. I am incredibly proud to see this work continue to move forward with great support from leadership across Disney."

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC News.

Related Topics

  • Disney

Editor’s Picks

Tiana's Palace restaurant coming to life at Disneyland later this year

  • Jan 12, 2023

Talent behind music for 'The Princess and the Frog' attraction revealed

  • Jun 01, 2023

Disney's Splash Mountain to be re-themed to the 'Princess and the Frog'

  • Jun 25, 2020

Up Next in Travel—

Protect your luggage with these travel security essentials

June 18, 2025

What US travelers need to know amid anti-tourism protests in Europe

June 16, 2025

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World to get 'largest expansion' with new national park-themed attraction

June 3, 2025

Pigeons board a Delta flight, causing pandemonium and 2 trips back to the gate

May 27, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News