Splash Mountain was originally conceived in 1983 by Imagineer Tony Baxter to solve multiple problems facing Disneyland, primarily what to do with all of the audio-animatronics from the recently closed attraction America Sings.
The solution was a new ride based on the beloved 1946 Academy Award winning Walt Disney animated feature Song of the South.
New CEO Michael Eisner greenlit the attraction and Splash Mountain opened July 17, 1989.