The Rest of Splash Mountain’s History (Ep. 98)

Jim Hill and Len Testa continue their look at Splash Mountain’s origins, tracing how Tony Baxter combined a long-requested log flume with Disneyland’s next big animatronic adventure. Jim explains how Pirates of the Caribbean, unused attraction concepts, and the figures from America Sings helped shape the project. They also discuss the budget and maintenance decisions behind the ride, along with a listener question about MagicBand personalization.

Original Air Date: March 1, 2016 (estimated)
Original Title: Episode 98 - The rest of the history of Splash Mountain

HIGHLIGHTS

• What happened to the personalized ride experiences proposed for MyMagic+ and MagicBands.
• Why guests kept asking Imagineering to build another Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Western River Expedition and Marc Davis’s unbuilt Enchanted Snow Palace.
• Tony Baxter’s search for a new project after Journey Into Imagination.
• How America Sings animatronics offered a way to reduce Splash Mountain’s costs.
• The Fox and the Hound concept considered for Bear Country.
• Concrete scenery, water damage, and the decision to use an outside flume manufacturer.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
View transcript here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill: X and Instagram @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa: Bluesky @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram @len.testa | touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• YouTube and TikTok: @jimhillmedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Produced by Aaron Adams

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

Jim Hill and Len Testa trace the ideas, budget pressures, and recycled animatronics that helped Tony Baxter develop Splash Mountain.

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