Getting wet on water rides is all part of the fun of the fair. However, if you’re spending the whole day at Disneyland and choose to ride Splash Mountain first, you might want to avoid getting drenched.
After riding Disney’s Splash Mountain several times over the past few years. I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks to keep you dry ( Well, Dryish ) and enjoy the ride more.
What Is Splash Mountain?
Splash Mountain is a log flume style ride that can be found at both Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. While originally based on the Song of the South, the ride has recently been closed to undergo a retheme.
Disney plans to reopen Splash Mountain in 2024 with a new Princess and the Frog theme.
The ride features a 52 and a half foot drop and more than half a mile of adventure through various scenes including swamps, woods, and caves.
According to surveys, the ride is said to be the second most popular attraction at Disneyland!
Do You Get Very Wet On Splash Mountain?
When you visit Disneyland and take a ride on Splash Mountain, the chances are that you’re going to come off wetter than you went on.
It’s a water ride, after all. But many people want to know how wet you get on Splash Mountain and the answer can vary.
According to InsideTheMagic, Disney has the ability to control how wet you get:
- If you go on the ride in the height of summer, there’s a good chance that the powers above have set the final water canons to the max so you’ll come off the ride pretty soaked.
- However, in cooler weather, Disney is known to turn the intensity of the water canons down and adjust the angle so guests aren’t left dripping in the middle of winter.
How To Avoid Getting Wet On Splash Mountain
Regardless of the time of year that you visit, you are going to have to put up with some water when you go on Splash Mountain.
However, there are some nifty ways you can avoid taking the full force of the log flume.
Using A Poncho
One of the best ways to avoid getting your clothing and hair wet when enjoying Splash Mountain is to buy a poncho.
These can be purchased from many of the shops within the park but of course, you can always bring your own.
But I wouldn’t just advise popping the poncho on and hoping for the best.
If you want to stay as dry as possible then you need to be savvy about how you wear your poncho.
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Hagon PRO
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Make sure that you tuck it under your bum so that water has a hard time seeping through during that big final splash.
What’s more, sitting on your poncho like this will prevent any water on the seats from soaking through your pants.
I’d also recommend having your poncho pulled up as close around your neck as possible so that water can’t enter from the top!
You can also buy waterproof shoe covers if you’re worried about your favorite kicks getting drenched.
Be Prepared
While there is a chance of getting wet at any point on Splash Mountain, the big drop at the end of the ride is where you’ll take most of a soaking.
If you don’t want to feel the brunt of the splash then I wouldn’t suggest sitting at the front of the car. Try to get behind someone and, as the ride makes its way down the hill; duck!
The folks sitting in front of you will take most of the water and, hopefully, any that flies back will avoid you since you’re lower down.
But don’t forget that, as you hit the bottom, there will be a gush of water from the back of the car that moves to the front. As soon as the log lands, lift up your feet, unless you want a free shoe wash!
Even when the ride is over, there’s still a chance for another soaking and that applies if you’ve chosen to sit on the right side of the car.
You see, sometimes, there can be a queue of logs waiting to go back around and you’ll be sitting in one of them.
On the right hand side is a pretty splashy waterfall so if you get stuck next to this, you can be sure the backsplash will give you a shower.
Choosing The Right Attire
At the end of the day, regardless of what you do there’s always going to be a chance of getting wet on Splash Mountain.
However, choosing the right clothing for your day at Disneyland can make a lot of difference if you do get soaked.
Going for athletic wear is a great choice as these clothing items are designed to dry out quickly.
Plus, most of these types of clothes are breathable, so if it’s a hot day, you won’t feel sweaty and clammy; two birds, one stone as they say!
In terms of footwear, I’d avoid socks. The last thing you want is to have to walk around squelching for the rest of the day. Sandals or Crocs are a better choice; even if you only wear them for Splash Mountain and then change back into your regular shoes.
Finally, I’d recommend taking a spare change of clothes for a day at Disneyland anyway.
You never know what might happen and in the event that you’re wet through after riding Splash Mountain, you’ve got the option to change into something dry.
What About My Personal Belongings?
In days gone by, Disney used to offer small waterproof bags for things like your phone and other personal items that you didn’t want to get wet.
But since the announcement of the retheme, there’s been no suggestion that these free bags will be handed out to guests.
For this reason, I’d suggest taking something you can put your phone in while you’re on Splash Mountain.
For total peace of mind, you could spend the few dollars it takes to hire a locker and stash all your most precious items before exploring the park and its attractions.
Final Thoughts
Splash Mountain is one of the most famous and well-loved water rides at Disneyland. But if you’re going to brave the five-storey drop at the end then you need to be prepared to get a little wet.
There are some things you can do to avoid being soaked but it’s not guaranteed. If you want to be sure to stay completely dry then maybe it’s best to choose another ride.
