At a Glance
Duration: 11 minutes
Look Out For: a 53 ft log flume and 3 smaller drops as well as animatronics and a long ride duration
NOTE:
Splash Mountain is permanently closed as of January 3, 2023. Stay tuned for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure coming late 2024 and feel free to enjoy this retro review in the meantime!
Opening on October 2nd, 1992, Splash Mountain is a water-based log flume ride based on the old Disney film, Song of the South. Following Brer Rabbit as he searches for his laughing place, the riders tag along as he escapes capture of Brer Fox and finds his way home. So how scary is Splash Mountain? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Splash Mountain has a whopping 11 minute ride duration. This attraction consists mostly of a slow dark ride portion with its highlight 53 foot drop at the end.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Splash Mountain has a height restriction of 40 inches, just like its neighbor – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Kids that didn’t quite meet the 44 inch height requirement at Space Mountain might want to give this one a try too. If not, the switching off option is available for those who might need it.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Splash Mountain ride vehicles are fairly basic for a log flume ride – seating 12 passengers with 2 in each seat, both sharing a lap bar.
4. How does Splash Mountain Work?
Splash Mountain works like a standard, water-based dark ride in which the boats travel along a track through the show scenes. As a dark ride/log flume attraction, it of course includes several drops along its track.
5. Is Splash Mountain Scary?
Splash Mountain is not an intentionally scary ride overall, but has some spooky moments. This attraction does feature a pretty substantial dark ride portion lasting about 5 and a half minutes and includes a few creepy characters as well as some mild peril along the way. While most of the ride’s characters are sweet, fuzzy friends, the older animatronic animals could come across as creepy to some riders (like me).
6. How High is Splash Mountain?
Splash Mountain does involve some heights. It has a long, ominous lift that leaves you staring down the whole Magic Kingdom at its peak. You’ll be 53 feet from the ground and able to see every inch of it. While some might not be a fan of this view, it at least is over quickly.
7. How Fast is Splash Mountain?
Splash Mountain does not go fast. Aside from it’s trademark dive, the boats move at a very slow pace throughout.
8. Does Splash Mountain Have Drops?
Splash Mountain does have significant drops. Aside from its very notable 53-foot plummet, it also features three smaller indoor drops – but they are very tame compared to the finale.
9. Does Splash Mountain Cause Motion Sickness?
Splash Mountain should not cause motion sickness to most riders.
10. Is Splash Mountain Claustrophobic?
Splash Mountain could feel claustrophobic to many riders. While some may feel trapped on such a long track ride, about half of the ride’s duration takes place outdoors. In addition, the large ride vehicles, fairly open queue, and the wide spaces of the indoor show scenes definitely takes the edge off. However, if 11 minutes seems a bit too long to be confined in the ride vehicle – you may want to take a moment to consider this one.
11. Are There Animatronics on Splash Mountain?
There are many animatronics on Splash Mountain. In fact, this attraction features over 100 janky animatronic critters. While there are no humanoid animatronics on this ride, the sheer number found on this attraction may make some riders uncomfortable – so be prepared for that.
Splash Mountain Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Frontierland area and leads you into a Western-themed open air building. It weaves through indoor and outdoor areas, goes up some stairs, and takes you through a few similar rooms and hallways before taking you back downstairs and onto the loading platform. This queue could be pretty comfortable for the claustrophobic among us as it does stay either outdoors or in open air areas that don’t feel too restricting.
Splash Mountain Ride Walkthrough
Once you board the ride vehicle, the ride sets off through a small cave, up your first lift, and into a pleasant outdoor area where you take a second lift and make your way slowly up the mountain. There is a small drop right before heading into the dark ride section and you’re left to take in the magic of Disney through a slow leisurely trip around the briar patch.
You’re introduced to some cute and cuddly characters as well as the mischievous Brer Fox and Brer Bear along the way. After a bit more serenading, you’ll pass the two villains tangled up in a beehive before your second small drop in the dark.
You’ll go through another dark ride section filled with Brer Rabbit’s shenanigans before making your third small drop and entering – you guessed it – yet another dark ride area.
This is where the ride gets a little bit creepy as you see Brer Rabbit get captured and you head up to Brer Fox’s lair. You pass a couple of menacing looking vultures as the music gets a little bit spooky and you climb the last long lift with sunlight at the end – so you know that big drop is coming.
This is easily the scariest part of the ride but as long as you can handle that, you should be fine with the rest of Splash Mountain.
To your left you’ll find Brer Rabbit pulling one last trick on Brer Fox by begging him not to throw him into the briar patch – which is actually his means of escape.
You plummet down the falls with our hero and find yourself safely in the briar patch below. From there, you’ll enter your last dark ride section as the characters sing you out and into the loading station.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Splash Mountain? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
