Princess And The Frog is set to hit the Song Of The South.
Not only does this news mean that Splash Mountain will be getting a much-needed redesign, but it also results in one of Disney's most popular films getting a starring place in the parks. There's plenty of great moments from Princess And The Frog that should be featured in the ride as a celebration of how groundbreaking and spectacular the film really was.
Making Gumbo
Tiana's childhood, making gumbo with her father, is really what inspired her to work with food as she got older. It's an important and moving moment in her life, and one that could open up the ride. It's a great and innocent look into what was truly special to the character and says a lot about her journey throughout the film. It's really the only way to start Splash Mountain now that it's getting a new look.
Almost There
The fantastic song "Almost There" is one of the most memorable from the film. Leading up to this audiences get to see Tiana's current life in New Orleans and what her big aspirations are.
The stylized musical moment sees her dreams come true as Tiana's Place becomes a reality—albeit in her mind—and it can certainly be a whimsical and magical moment for riders to explore with the character.
Friends On The Other Side
One of Disney's most compelling villains has to be Doctor Facilier. Using dark magic and manipulation, the evil Doctor manages to turn Prince Naveen into a frog, setting up the story.
The transformation moment is ed by an iconic villain song "Friends On The Other Side." It's easy to see how this can fit into the ride, with ghouls and crazy visuals becoming a part of this riverboat journey.
The First Kiss
The first kiss between any Disney princess and her prince is always an intense moment. However, for Princess And The Frog, this moment was far from romantic. In fact, that initial kiss between Tiana and her frog launches her own problems, as the future princess also transforms into an amphibian. A bit of Imagineering can surely make this moment a reality on the ride.
Louis' Jazz Dream
Louis the alligator has his own dreams about making it big. He's an extremely talented trumpet player and hopes to one day find a place that will accept him and his jazz skills. There's a funny scene during the film where he tries to play on a riverboat before being shot at for being a terrifying reptile. Louis will get his dream towards the end of the ride, but it will be fun to see this hilarious moment as well as exploring the prejudice he experiences.
The Carnival
In one of the most climactic scenes of the film, Tiana, Naveen, and the rest of the gang are running from the dastardly Doctor Facilier. They use the Carnival for cover as the vibrant sounds and colors of New Orleans act as perfect camouflage.
It's a visually impactful moment and one that not only serves the story but also demonstrates a little bit more of the culture of this amazing city. It's something that guests would really enjoy experiencing on the new Splash Mountain and could perhaps even lead to the summit.
Tribute To Ray
An emotional moment towards the film's final act is the sacrifice of Ray. Throughout the film, much like any other Disney animal character the funny firefly was used for comic relief, but his death provides a moment of genuine levity.
One of his defining traits was that he'd fallen in love with a star. Upon his death, he also becomes a star, making for a powerful scene and one that could be beautifully demonstrated in the ride.
Mama Odie's House
Mama Odie is another ing player in the film and a more eccentric character. In many ways, she is the parallel to Doctor Facilier, aiding the princess and prince into becoming human once again.
Asides from her own catchy song, the strange house that Mama Odie lives in is perfect to create a setting for the ride to explore. It contains many trinkets and artifacts that could be used to cast a powerful spell.
The Wedding
If there's a princess in a film, it's almost guaranteed that their story will end with a big wedding; although that isn't the rule for every character. In Tiana's case, however, she gets two weddings!
The first sees her and Prince Naveen become human once again, and the second is a far more human celebration. These moments can contribute to the grand finale of Splash Mountain.
Tiana's Place
While the film may not be getting a sequel, Princess And The Frog at the very least gave fans a satisfying ending, with Tiana getting the money to open up her very own restaurant.
Much like the movie, the ride has to conclude in Tiana's Place, a colorful and vibrant location that sees the many dreams of these characters coming true. It's easy to imagine an animatronic Louis playing guests out with his trademark trumpet in the middle of the room.
