Brent — this made me smile the whole way through. I love the idea that story isn’t just something we consume, it’s something we’re moved through — sometimes literally.
What really landed for me is your point about the downward spiral and the slow, deliberate build. That sense of descent, foreshadowing, and inevitability is exactly what so many experiences skip now in favor of instant payoff. The patience here is the magic.
Also, your Act Two framing is spot-on. That moment where everything feels blocked and worse before it gets better is such a deeply human narrative instinct — and the fact that a theme park ride pulls it off better than most movies is quietly hilarious.
You’ve officially made me want to go to Tokyo just for this ride. Which, honestly, is a testament to your larger point: a good story really does make everything better.
So happy to hear that DisneySea is impressive after hearing your experience at Disneyland Tokyo was not. Disney has been doing a great job with storytelling rides when they really put their best Imagineers and a high budget on it. Big fail on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the OG Disneyland (California), though. Makes me think they left it up to a bunch of inexperienced interns. So sad considering how great Splash Mountain had been. That was more great storytelling for sure!
I didn’t know that. I get that the historical roots of the Splash Mountain story were considered problematic. It seems in an attempt to not offend anyone, the new ride barely tells a story about planning a party.
Part of the problem, I think, is that few people remember The Princess and the Frog. Although I don't know why they couldn't have come up with some kind of NEW story...
Brent — this made me smile the whole way through. I love the idea that story isn’t just something we consume, it’s something we’re moved through — sometimes literally.
What really landed for me is your point about the downward spiral and the slow, deliberate build. That sense of descent, foreshadowing, and inevitability is exactly what so many experiences skip now in favor of instant payoff. The patience here is the magic.
Also, your Act Two framing is spot-on. That moment where everything feels blocked and worse before it gets better is such a deeply human narrative instinct — and the fact that a theme park ride pulls it off better than most movies is quietly hilarious.
You’ve officially made me want to go to Tokyo just for this ride. Which, honestly, is a testament to your larger point: a good story really does make everything better.
– Kelly
Thanks! And you'll enjoy it, I think.
What an amazing sounding ride! So glad the creators got the story telling right. It's true how that makes all the difference
It helps that I LOVED this book as a kid. LOL
So happy to hear that DisneySea is impressive after hearing your experience at Disneyland Tokyo was not. Disney has been doing a great job with storytelling rides when they really put their best Imagineers and a high budget on it. Big fail on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the OG Disneyland (California), though. Makes me think they left it up to a bunch of inexperienced interns. So sad considering how great Splash Mountain had been. That was more great storytelling for sure!
Yeah, it was a big surprise! Honestly, after DT, we were considering bailing, but we'd already bought the ticket LOL
Interesting about the Bayou Adventure. The one at Tokyo is now the only Splash Mountain still in existence anywhere in the world.
I didn’t know that. I get that the historical roots of the Splash Mountain story were considered problematic. It seems in an attempt to not offend anyone, the new ride barely tells a story about planning a party.
Part of the problem, I think, is that few people remember The Princess and the Frog. Although I don't know why they couldn't have come up with some kind of NEW story...
…or at least kept the villain in the ride story. That was too controversial, as well. As you said, maybe a whole new story would have been welcome.
Oh, it sounds like there was a whole backstage drama that I wasn't aware of! LOL