Interesting Fact:
Splash mountain is actually taller than the Matterhorn, but the whole mountain was built so that some of it is partially underground. Imagineneers did this so that it would not make the Matterhorn look smaller.
Attractions:
Splash Mountain
The original working title for this attraction was “Zip-A-Dee River Run.” Splash mountain opened during the late 80’s during the Eisner era. and as such he wanted to promote the new feature film “Splash.” Despite this being a bad way to get a little synergy, this was probably the better name choice. Splash Mountain fits in very well with it’s mountain brothers and splashed is what you get. Bring those ponchos if you have anyone in your party who will cry when they get wet.
Splash Mountain was very expensive to build and as a result some cost cutting had to be done. Some creative ideas were hatched and it was decided that another attraction could be cannabalized. In 1988 America Sings in Tomorrow Land was closed and all of it’s audio-animatronic inhabitants were relocated. Now Critter Country is brimming with more talking and singing animals than ever.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh opened June of 1999. The ride depicts scenes from Disney’s animated feature The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Plans for this ride had been in the works since the late 1970’s but even after the Fantasyland remodel in 1983 we still did not have a Winnie the Pooh attraction. This attraction is geared toward the younger guests but some children might find the loud music and lighting a little frightening, especially the hephalumps and woosles nightmare sequence. The main problem with this attraction is that by the time they are old enough to enjoy the ride they are also too old to enjoy the ride.
Just one year later Tokyo Disneyland opened their own Winnie the Pooh ride, Pooh’s Honey Hunt. Unlike California, Tokyo Disneyland’s version has fully audio-animatronic characters and a trackless ride system.
Before Winnie the Pooh got his ride this area was host to a different kind bear entertainment all together. The Country Bear Jamboree was a musical show staring the Country Bears. This show can still be seen at Walt Disney World.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Indian War Canoes opened in July of 1956 in the Indian Village area of Frontier Land. The Name of the attraction was changed to Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes in 1971 after the Indian Village was closed down. In 1972 the ride became part of bear country.
The only guest powered attraction in Disneyland. Guests paddle themselves around the rivers of america. When I questioned the cast member running the snack stand next to the the boat loading area I was informed that the boats run on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am till 5pm. Unfortunately the boats are not run as often as they used to be.
Walt had imagined the Rivers of America to be a busy water way with a very kinetic feel. Boats always in motion and lots of activity. The canoes added to this feeling along with the Mike Fink Keel boats, Rafts to Tom Sawyer’s Island, the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Columbia sailing ship. Now the river is not nearly as busy.
