Today Disney announced that Imagineers have been working on reimagining Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – with a new theme inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” Imagineers have been working on the project since last year and the story will pick up after the final kiss, and will join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.
The story features Tiana, a courageous and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important and is set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou.
“It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it,” shared Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Princess Tiana and a Tony Award-winning actress.
The re-theming of Splash Mountain is particularly important in today's world because the new concept is inclusive and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit Disney parks each year. Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”
The conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape and we hear more information we will bring it to you!
News & Media Source: Disney Parks Blog