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First Winter 2013 Disney World Ride Closure Announced



By Dave Shute

SPLASH MOUNTAIN AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM CLOSED FOR REHAB IN EARLY 2013

Disney World rides can close for re-dos at any time, but the winter “ride closure season” from early January though mid-February is the most common for Disney World rides to close for rehab and refurbishment.

Splash Mountain Closed January 2 through March 19 2013Splash Mountain is the major attraction that most commonly closes in this period, and Disney World’s website now has Splash Mountain as down for refurbishment from January 2 through March 19, 2013.

Neither the close, nor the length of the rehab, is a surprise.

First, Splash Mountain did not have its usual rehab this year, because Disney was concerned about losing so much capacity in Frontierland while Big Thunder Mountain was down for a multi-month refurbishment. And second, a number of effects at Splash Mountain have broken down or become unreliable, and need sustained attention.

With the added capacity coming in the Fantasyland expansion, it’s as good a time as any to shine Splash up!

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8 comments

1 Tom { 10.29.12 at 11:47 am }

Pity to find out that Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment during my next trip. However, I think this attraction is desperately yelling for a major clean-up and upgrade. During our last trip, it was not uncommon to remain “frozen” at the ride for minutes and finding some parts of the ride unlit or out of order (I remember the part of the frogs being in darkness for instance)

2 Dave { 10.29.12 at 2:03 pm }

Hey Tom, yeah I too hope they really fix it up!

3 Could You have the refurbishment done for Feb 8, 2013 . { 01.06.13 at 12:02 am }

Could you have the refurbishment done for Feburary 8, 2013 Its one of my favorite rides and Im going on vacation sometime soon in February there and I would like to ride it . So could you please finish up the refurbishment for early February 2013?

4 Dave { 01.06.13 at 10:21 am }

I’m just a guy with a website, and have no influence over anything!

5 Todd { 01.13.13 at 11:55 pm }

Way to go Disney..Im glad your fixing Splash Mountain I come out every May for 2 weeks.
Last May that ride sucked really bad, stop and go many many many times. Take your time and do it right. Have it ready for this May 2013

6 Dave { 01.14.13 at 8:15 am }

I agree with you, Todd!!

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7 Janelle { 03.30.13 at 10:21 am }

YES! FINALLY! I hope they don’t just fix the effects, I hope they fix the constant stop-and-go of the ride. When we go to Disney, we ride it over and over. It’s a long ride to begin with but, when it stops…..it stops….and not for just a few seconds, either. One time it was late at night, and the park was open till 2am. We got stuck on the ride for about 15-20 minutes. It’s not only hard to stay calm and keep the kids calm, but with the constant song and character bing and bong and “how do you do…” LOL! But, it doesn’t discourage us much from still enjoying it, either. I’m just so glad. It’ll make a great ride, spectacular!

8 Dave { 03.31.13 at 9:30 am }

Heya Janelle!

I haven’t seen the redo yet, but word is that it’s great.

One reason for the stops and starts (besides stuff busting) is loading and unloading guests with mobility issues. Since there’s just the single load/unload point–unlike at say Toy Story Mania or Kilimanjaro Safaris where there’s two–the whole ride can get backed up if they have to stop the regular dispatch interval to help a guest…

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