7 Fun Facts About Disney's Splash Mountain That You Probably Didn't Know

In Disney World's Splash Mountain, there's a hard-to-spot hidden Mickey among the clouds in the final scene of the ride. Look for a pink cloud floating above the Zip-A-Dee-Lady riverboat that resembles Mickey lying on his back, probably humming along to the ride's catchy tune.

According to the Walt Disney World website, riders who sit in the front will most likely get soaked at the end of the thrilling five-story drop. Those in the back of the flume, however, may only have to deal with a smaller splash of water.

Disneyland is home to the original Splash Mountain, which opened in 1989. Before they found a home in the briar patch, however, many of the animatronic critters were part of America Sings, a show that ran in Tomorrowland's Carousel Theatre from 1974-1988.

Of the six Disney resorts around the world, you can only ride Splash Mountain at three of them. You can float along with Br'er Fox and Br'er Rabbit at both of the U.S. parks and at Tokyo Disneyland, but you won't find this log flume attraction in Paris, Hong Kong, or Shanghai.

When the first Splash Mountain was being imagineered at Disneyland, it was slated to be called Zip-a-Dee River Run. According to Disney historians, Michael Eisner, then CEO of The Walt Disney Company, suggested the name be changed to Splash Mountain to help promote everyone's second favourite mermaid film, Splash.

Splash Mountain was set to open in early 1989, but the first guests to ride (mostly company executives) were getting more than just a light soaking. The ride had to be closed for a few months so the boats and the ride could be redesigned to create less splash.

The jubilant Zip-A-Dee Lady that you pass by during Splash Mountain's grand finale is one of the largest animatronic props ever built. In Disneyland, the paddleboat measures 50 feet wide and 30 feet high, while the Disney World version is much smaller (but still quite impressive) at 36 feet wide and 22 feet high.