Remember the mischievous Br’er Rabbit. He sought adventure. Here we are at Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain. It’s a log flume ride. It combines steep chutes with Disney’s special effects.
Splash Mountain opened here on October 1 1992. The ride is based on Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South. The story follows Br’er Rabbit. He leaves home and is chased by Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear.
The ride is more than half a mile long. It splashes through swamps and caves. It goes through backwoods bayous too. The ride climaxes in a 52-foot plunge. Br’er Rabbit makes a triumphant return home.
More than 100 audio-animatronic characters populate Splash Mountain. These include Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox. They sing songs like “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”.
Tony Baxter conceived Splash Mountain in 1983. He wanted to bring guests to Bear Country in Disneyland. It was often empty. The Country Bear Jamboree was its only attraction. Baxter also wanted to reuse Audio-Animatronics figures from America Sings.
The name was originally Zip-a-Dee River Run. But Disney executives wanted to name it Splash Mountain. This was to promote the film Splash.
Splash Mountain in Tokyo is similar to the Magic Kingdom version. It is longer than Disneyland’s version. The log ride vehicles seat two people side-by-side in four rows. Disneyland’s version has five people in a single file row.
The main melodies feature banjos, fiddles and harmonicas. The vocals are different from the Magic Kingdom. The lyrics are Japanese for “How Do You Do?” and “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”. However, “Ev’rybody’s Got a Laughin’ Place” is in English.
The steepest, highest, wettest drop ever is what some claim for the ride. The drop is five stories tall. It is set at a 45-degree angle. A photo is taken. You can see the photo when exiting.
The hollow tree stump on top of Splash Mountain is Chickapin Hill. It is modeled after Br’er Fox’s lair. “Br’er Rabbit Earns a Dollar a Minute” is told in the dark ride segment. The flume becomes a roller coaster track. This leads to “The Laughing Place” caverns.
Br’er Rabbit tricks Br’er Fox into throwing him into the briar patch. The drop mimics Br’er Rabbit’s fall. The log drops into a briar patch. Animals sing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”.
Splash Mountain is a very popular ride. Ride it near park closing for shorter wait times.
A big difference exists. You usually leave the ride with hardly any water on you. You may get a spritz. It is nothing compared to Disneyland or Magic Kingdom.
Splash Mountain has limited Japanese dialogue. You probably won’t even notice it.
Remember Br’er Rabbit’s adventure. Remember the music. Most of all remember the big drop.