Originally Posted By HauntedMansionFan So...I got to thinking about how much Timber Mountain Log Ride over at Knott's resembles Splash Mountain in execution and design... Do you think the Imagineers ripped off Knott's in building Splash?? Discuss...
Originally Posted By Manfried It was a Disney Imagineer who took the log ride to Knott's back in the sixties.
Originally Posted By SFH Tony Baxter did get some inspiration from Knott's in both the Timber Mountain Log Ride (Splash Mtn.) and the mine train, especially the approach to boarding (Big Thunder Mtn.). In some ways, they are tributes to the Knott's attractions.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle Obviously Splash was inspired by the Knott's attraction, which is a great, classic ride (one of the last at Knotts, unfortunately). While I love both, Splash is clearly the better ride.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I don't really see the similarities other than both are log rides through mountains. I mean you could also say that Timber Mountain was Knott's answer to Disney's Matterhorn. Coincidentally (or maybe not coincidentally) both ride systems were designed by the same company.
Originally Posted By LOVE-DCA knott's has nothing on DL. ok the log ride at knott's is not that great, it's a very short ride. splash mountain is much more exciting! knott's can go suck it.
Originally Posted By LOVE-DCA But seriously.. I think any amusement park that has a water log ride will be close or same as splash mountain.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<But seriously.. I think any amusement park that has a water log ride will be close or same as splash mountain.>> Actually, as a flume attraction, Splash is in a class pretty much all by itself. Splash uses a flume with log vehicles only as a transport system set within a dark ride story overlay attraction. Knott's Timber Mt Log Ride is themed as a stylized representation of an actual logging operation that utilized flumes to transport timber. MM's is simply a flume ride minus any theming or visual story. I really don't see anyone else executing a story based attraction flume ride anywhere near the degree of Splash. The rights to securing published stories for attraction overlays is a cost that most park operations most likely don't wish to incurr.
Originally Posted By LOVE-DCA Well Disney had to base a log ride on some kind of story line…and why not briar rabbit? That is the perfect story line. So you like the timber ride at knotts?
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<That is the perfect story line.>> Interesting claim since very few people under the age of 30 have even ever seen the live action/animated feature; Song of the South which this attracton is based upon. <<So you like the timber ride at knotts?>> Yes I like both Splash and Timber Mt. log flume ride attractions very much.
Originally Posted By LOVE-DCA Uhh I’m not under the age 30. But thanks anyway! Cool,yeah I used to like the timber log ride, but not anymore since I don’t really care for Knott’s anymore.
Originally Posted By crazycroc I like how the fur is falling off the animals on the Knott's ride. Also, the shack inside looks like a shed from Home Depot. That being said, I think I like Timber Mountain Log Ride better.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<Uhh I’m not under the age 30. But thanks anyway!>> Uhm, that wasn't directed to you as much as it was directed to guests who have never seen Song of the South, or even know the premise of the film or attraction. <<Cool,yeah I used to like the timber log ride, but not anymore since I don’t really care for Knott’s anymore.>> I still like KBF well enough as there are still nuggets that exist from the "good ole days". In the same way, I still like DL even though DCA is a blight set upon the landscape. I just ignore DCA and still enjoy DL. <<I like how the fur is falling off the animals on the Knott's ride. Also, the shack inside looks like a shed from Home Depot.>> I agree, and the ride still smells right.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I contend that "Timber" and "Splash" are very similar in their basic format. They both come in and out of "show room" scenes. Yes, Knott's (1969) show room abilities are definitely primitive by Disney standards. Whether one or the other is "telling a story" or not .... they both have "sets" that create an artificial environment / Or 'mood' setting.
Originally Posted By Manfried The log ride at Knott's was really the first themed log ride ever done folks.
Originally Posted By Bellella I haven't been to Knott's in years. The Timber Mountain Log Ride is fun, but it can't hold a candle to Splash Mountain. I have yet to find a log ride to compare to it. Splash Mountain would be a great log ride even without the Audio Animatronics. How do they keep them safe from all the moisture in the air, by the way?
Originally Posted By crazycroc Bellella, it's not really fur, it's sponge. They squeeze them out every night.
Originally Posted By Bellella Of course it's not real fur. Pretty cool if it is sponge disguised as faux fur.
Originally Posted By crazycroc My roommate's cousin was the "sponge squeezer" for Splash Mountain for like 6 years. He loved the job, he only left because he got named vice-president of Radio Shack.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Splash Mountain would be a great log ride even without the Audio Animatronics.>> No it would not. If Splash didn't have the AA's, it would be just another log flume. Longer, yes. Higher, yes. But nothing truly special. Kinda like how Grizzly River Run is at DCA...no one considers that a classic ride, do they? Comparing the Timber Mountain to Splash Mountain is like comparing the Cyclone at Coney Island to Millennium Force at Cedar Point. Splash might be newer, bigger, and better, but there's something about Timber Mountain that's special. Perhaps it's the history, the nostalgia, or that drop in the dark(!) Whatever it is, it's still a classic GREAT ride.
