Everybody has a laughing place. You’ve heard that, right?
Well, if you’ve been to Disney, or you come from a bygone era that allows you to be familiar with Song of the South, you have. This is the sentiment that you will find at one of the most iconic classic Disney rides, and one that holds a special place in my heart…
Splash Mountain.
Oh, yes. It deserves its own line for introduction. It’s that important.
Splash Mountain is one of those rides that you hear about long before you even start planning your vacation to Disney. It’s a mainstay that has graced the Magic Kingdom for 25 years, designed by an Imagineer during traffic and originally called Zip-a-Dee River Run. For me, it’s not just a fun ride. It’s also a reminder of some of the earliest Pixie Dust my family experienced, a beloved tradition, and a little touch of home when I’m in my other home. You see, I’m from the South and hearing the accents, listening to the songs, and feeling the gentle, more leisurely pace, especially in the sometimes frantic pace of Disney, is soothing. Even when it does end in a 50-foot plunge.
This ride sits in Frontierland, tucked close by our favorite quick service, Pecos Bill, and beside another mountain, Big Thunder. The queue immediately lets you take a step out of the crowds and into an environment that is calmer and more peaceful, but also has the anticipation of the adventure ahead. Roam through the cool rocks of the mountain and take in the warning signs that let you know — just in case you didn’t catch on to it by the name (which, incidentally, has a tie-in to the movie Splash) or the screaming people flying down the waterfall — that you are going to get wet. I love how these signs are painted so that they look like they are from another time.
When you make it to the front of the queue you’ll be ushered into a log that holds up to three guests in each row. A lap bar was added in recent years, so feel free to hold on tight! If you absolutely can’t stand the idea of getting wet, and don’t mind a little bit of heckling from observers, you are welcome to throw on a poncho at this point.
As the ride begins, your log brings you into a peaceful, gentle outdoor ride down the river. A few little dips add to the fun and may even start the process of cooling you off with some splashes. Be sure to look around you during your journey to take in all of the fun details. If you are traveling during certain times of year you might even catch a glimpse of a few lizards who move into the ride to cool off. The upper portion of the ride is also a wonderful chance to look out around the rest of the park.
Soon your log will bring you down a hill and into the mountain where you meet the inhabitants, including dozens of animatronic animals that serenade you with a greeting. If you can’t understand what they’re saying, it’s “How do you do? Mighty pleasant greeting. How do you do? Say it when you’re meeting. How do you do? With every one repeating. Pretty good sure as you’re born.” It’s that “pretty good sure as you’re born” part that tends to trip people up if they’re not familiar with the dialect. The animals encourage you to “sit back and calm yourself” but reassure you that if you must hurry on, you can, and that they’ll just keep on doing what they like. I love looking around and seeing all the different animals, from the frogs to the crocs, and the little details like their tiny homes tucked in the trees.
Once through this section you’re on to the story of Br’er Rabbit and his laughing place. Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear are after our playful friend, but he manages to avoid them, bouncing along his way. Have fun watching the fox and bear get themselves into a few sticky situations before they finally succeed in catching the rabbit. The ride itself might trick you a bit as well as you ascend what feels like it might be the big drop — but isn’t.
Caught by his ears and facing what most certainly would be an unpleasant ending, Br’er Rabbit tells them that they can do whatever they want to him, just don’t throw him into the Briar Patch. The vultures stare down ominously as the log begins it’s long ascent up to the top of the hill where the rabbit will get flung into the briars. Of course, we all know that the Briar Patch is his Laughing Place — his home. Take a breathless moment to look out over the gorgeous view of the park as you reach the top. If you are really lucky, you’ll time this so that you can see the fireworks bursting in the sky just before the log tips and you soar down toward the briars. Be sure to smile! (Or scream, or cling to your family. All valid) This is where they’ll snap your picture.
Here’s a little reassurance for you — that giant splash that you see when you’re standing outside of the ride? That’s not caused by the logs. I know. I know. Spoilers. I’m sorry. But I’ve heard countless people resist going on the ride because they see that huge splash and think it will be too much for them. The truth is that that big splash is computer generated and timed for when the log disappears into the briars. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a splash. There is most definitely a splash and you are going to get wet. Depending on the weight distribution of your log, you might get very wet. Keep this in mind when putting your bag at your feet or when you think about climbing aboard on a chilly evening. Done it. Unpleasant.
Unlike most log flume-type rides, the experience isn’t over when the log goes down the big hill. There’s plenty more to enjoy! Now that Br’er Rabbit has been tossed into the briars, he’s welcomed home with a party. Back inside the mountain you get to enjoy the classic Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah song and see all of Br’er Rabbit’s friends celebrate him coming home — complete with dancing hens on a steamboat reminiscent of the Liberty Belle. Feel free to sing along as you watch our friend settle in to relax, promising he’s going to stay at home where he’s happy.
It’s hard to get off of Splash Mountain not feeling more relaxed and happier. It’s just a wonderful, feel-good ride. Head out and you’ll find a squished penny machine and a little playground. You’ll also find a collection of walls and benches that make a fabulous spot to take a breather. Head down here during the Halloween or Christmas party for a unique view of the fireworks that is away from the crush of other partygoers.
Earlier I told you about my family’s first Pixie Dust. It may not actually been the first little bit of magic. There is so much magic that I sometimes lose track of when they happened. But I will always remember this one. The first time that Hubby and I rode Splash Mountain (which wasn’t our first trip because it was down for refurbishment and totally drained our whole first vacation), we were so excited to see our picture. This was before the convenience of the Magic Band that automatically captures your picture. You actually had to go stand in line to see your picture and decide if you wanted it. We stood and waited and waited. Finally we got up to the front — to see a picture where you couldn’t see us at all. The splash had completely obscured us. It was such a letdown.
Until the Cast Member saw it. She immediately said that we were too cute to not have a picture, closed down the picture kiosk, and told us to follow her. As she led us back up the exit ramp, she radioed ahead to say that she had two that were “washed out” of their picture and would be back in a moment. When we got back to the ride we were put right in the front row of the next log and allowed to go through the ride again. That picture ended up perfect.
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Taryn was born and raised, and still lives in Richmond, Virginia. Neither she nor her husband ever had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World when they were children, but when their daughter Avalon came along, they decided she was not going to follow in their footsteps. They brought Avalon for the first time when she was 3 and have been hooked ever since. Now along with Taryn’s mother and equally Disney-loving older brother, they go “home” at least once a year, and by the time she is staring longingly at Cinderella Castle from the ferry on their last night, Taryn is well on her way to planning the next trip. As a group consisting of two adults with Asperger’s, including one who is also vegan, a very accommodating husband, an only child, a senior, and a service dog, they are a pretty special family, but Taryn is excited to show that the World really is The Most Magical Place on Earth and that there is a place there for everyone. When she isn’t thinking about her next Disney adventure and trying to come up with a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party costume that will beat her Oozma Kappa nerd look, she is a professional blogger and novelist, but Taryn also likes to indulge her Disney passion on her Etsy shop It’s Better in Vinyl.
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