Splash Mountain | Disneyland Park (2024)

This is the most popular ride in Disneyland Park for patrons of all ages -- happy, exciting, and adventuresome all at once. Though eclipsed somewhat by newer attractions, Splash Mountain nevertheless builds crowds quickly during the morning, and waits of more than 70 minutes are not uncommon once Disneyland Park fills up on a busy day. Lines persist throughout the day until a few minutes before closing. These words are particularly true on hotter days, which affects the wait times significantly.

There are five ways to experience Splash Mountain without a long wait. The first is to be on hand when the park opens and to sprint over and get in line before anyone else. The second way is to allow the initial mob of Splash cadets to be processed through and to arrive at Splash Mountain about 20-40 minutes after the park opens or after riding Peter Pan and/or Space Mountain. A third strategy is to get in line for Splash Mountain during a parade and/or a performance of Fantasmic! Be advised, however, that huge crowds gathering along the New Orleans Square and Frontierland waterfronts for Fantasmic! make getting to Splash Mountain very difficult (if not impossible) just before, during, and just after performances. Fourth, use the single-rider line by entering through the exit.

A Suffolk, Virginia, mom contends that there are more important considerations than beating crowds:

The only recommendation I do have is to definitely wait to do Splash Mountain at the end of the day. We were seated in the front of the ride and needless to say we were drenched to the bone. If we had ridden the ride [first thing in the morning] according to your plan, I personally would have been miserable for the rest of the day. Parents, beware! It says you will get wet, not drowned.

It is almost a certainty that you will get wet, and possibly drenched, riding Splash Mountain. During the summer months, the water jets are cranked up to 11, practically guaranteeing that you'll get soaked. If you visit on a cool day, you may want to carry a plastic garbage bag. By tearing holes in the bottom and sides, you can fashion a sack dress of sorts to keep you dry. Be sure to tuck the bag under your bottom. By the way, it doesn't matter whether you ride in front or back. You will get wet regardless. If you have a camera, either leave it with a nonriding member of your party or wrap it in a plastic bag.

One final word: This is not just a fancy flume ride; it is a full-blown Disney adventure. The scariest part by far is the big drop into the pool (visible from the sidewalk in front of Splash Mountain), and even this plunge looks worse than it really is. Despite reassurances, however, many children wig out after watching it from the sidewalk. A Grand Rapids, Michigan, mother recalls her kids' rather unique reaction:

We discovered after the fact that our children thought they would go under water after the five-story drop and tried to hold their breath throughout the ride in preparation. They were really too preoccupied to enjoy the clever Br'er Rabbit story.