It’s been a rough return to operation for Splash Mountain post-COVID. The attraction has experienced a number of downtimes, as well as a complete multi-day shutdown in which the attraction was drained. Now, reports are coming in that a ride vehicle sank and was completely submerged yesterday with guests aboard. This is the second time a Disney World ride vehicle has sank this year, following reports this February that a Jungle Cruise boat sank with guests aboard.
The guests stated the cast members told them they should have remained in their ride vehicle – despite it sitting underwater.
It appears yesterday’s incident happened just before 5:41 PM, when the first online reports began coming in. @EscAuthority describes the ride vehicle to have been entirely submerged with the nose under the log in front of it.
A ride vehicle has completely sunk on #WaltDisneyWorld Splash Mountain- just after the Riverboat finale scene. Boat is entirely under water, with its nose UNDER the log in front of it. Guests currently being evac’d PAST IT rather than an alternate route. 🤯
— Chris Moschella (@EscAuthority) August 2, 2020
The second report came with a video showing the damage that had been done. Here, it appears that guests had exited the ride vehicle before Cast Members could arrive on-scene to assist. The log is shown almost completely underwater in the ride’s final scene.
so we got out of our boat because it was sinking while we were stuck there and the disney world employee decided to tell us that we should’ve stayed in the boat but it went under as soon as we all stepped out… nice #DisneyWorld #splashmountain #MagicKingdom #disney not okay???? pic.twitter.com/15zMnP1wgX
— sky💫 (@skyelaringrsoll) August 3, 2020
Various other guests followed suit, posting pictures of the submerged ride vehicle.
so we got out of our boat because it was sinking while we were stuck there and the disney world employee decided to tell us that we should’ve stayed in the boat but it went under as soon as we all stepped out… nice #DisneyWorld #splashmountain #MagicKingdom #disney not okay???? pic.twitter.com/15zMnP1wgX
— sky💫 (@skyelaringrsoll) August 3, 2020
Before and after (my boyfriend and I were in the back seats) pic.twitter.com/IqJUsIIoZE
— Karen Ramirez (@Kai_cece98) August 3, 2020
Splash Mountain is set to be reimagined into a princess and the frog themed ride, however closure dates and timeline for the reimagering are yet to be announced.
