You may have heard we finally have an idea of when the newly reimagined Splash Mountain will open in Walt Disney World. Now, Disney has released a statement about the reopening timeline.
Splash Mountain isn’t here to stay
Back in 2020, Disney made a major announcement that split fans right down the middle. We learned that Splash Mountain, one of Walt Disney World and Disneyland’s most popular rides, will be completely re-themed.
This attraction, based on the controversial 1946 film “Song Of the South,” has been a fan favorite since it debuted in 1989. The plan is for Splash Mountain to be completely re-themed to star the characters from 2009’s animated film, “The Princess and the Frog.”
The announcement came shortly after fans urged Disney to re-theme Splash Mountain because of the racial stereotypes from “Song of the South.’ The film has been criticized for its stereotypical portrayals of African Americans.
Disney states the new attraction concept is “inclusive” and “one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by.”
A complete reimagination
The newly reimagined attraction be re-themed to include characters and elements from “The Princess and the Frog.” The attraction will begin where the film leaves off; with the final kiss. We’ll join Princess Tiana and her trumpet playing alligator friend Louis “on a musical adventure.”
The new attraction will feature “some of the powerful music from the film as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.” When will we get to experience the new Princess and the Frog attraction?
Actress Anikka Noni Rose, who voices Tiana in The Princess and the Frog, made the announcement today many have been waiting for. While visiting Live with Ryan and Kelly, she shared Disney plans to open the newly re-themed Splash Mountain in Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in 2024.
Shortly after, Disney released a statement regarding the re-theme timeline.
We have already shared how we are bringing Tiana’s story to life at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. While timing has not been determined, we look forward to sharing more details during Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans in July.”
Disney
While Disney is not confirming the timeline the actress shared, it does seem like we will know either way in just a few short weeks.
What do you think about the re-theme of Splash Mountain? Let us know in the comments below, or tell us on Facebook.
I think it’s stupid and senseless. It was by far one of the most popular attraction’s in the park and, there was nothing racist about it. The Princess and The Frog is a good movie but, it doesn’t fit in with the mountain theme. If it must be re-themed, a better fit would be The Lion King. They could have Rafiki holding baby Simba at the top of the mountain and, the other animals down below on either side of the water flume looking up at them. The possibilities are endless and it definitely fits the mountain theme more than TPaTF. TPaTF is set in New Orleans, no mountains, a better fit for that ride would be fantasyland. Even better, don’t re-theme it.
Would it not make more sense to create a completely different ride for PatF? Peter Pan’s Flight is based on an old movie few if any current children would know of. Small World even less so. Though in keeping with the theme of PatF, a ride more like Pirates would make more sense.
Precisely! Thank you for letting people know the true history of SotS! It was meant to stop racism and now people are so shallow they won’t educate themselves on the subject, but give knee jerk reactions to it!
Good thank you I will never forgive them for changing the theme and punishing a ride that did nothing wrong I’d give anything to save it
This ride is not racist in the least. Some people are just looking for something to make an issue out of. Disney has gone way overboard catering to these complainers.
Agreed
The ride is not racist. There is nothing in it with anything surrounding racism. Political correctness needs to take a seat here. The movies timeline is after slavery. Yes there are terms used but that was the times then.
So, it makes sense to the the ring of the area in Disneyland to change this to the Tiana, but it makes not sense to put it in Frontierland in world. It does not work in the land as far as theme goes. Tiana should have an attraction, just not in this land
Disney does remember that people are still sore about them getting rid of far less popular rides than this, like 20K Leagues Under the Sea and Mr. Toad’s wild ride, right? There has to be a way to give Princess and the Toad fans a ride without alienating the fans that don’t know or care about the SotS ties to Splash Mountain.
There are some people who have said this ride is racist. I have ridden Splash so many times and I loved it. I know whatever people say it’s going to be redone, so you have memories of what the ride was.
Its racist. Why do we have to wait so long? Get that racist theme outta here now.
Are you aware that the Uncle Remus stories were created by abolitionist? Joel Chandler Harris. Look him up.
“Throughout his career, Harris actively promoted racial reconciliation as well as African-American education, suffrage, and equality. He regularly denounced racism”
It’s a fine idea, but there is nothing wrong with splash, the fact that most kids don’t know it’s from a segment with in a movie yet still connect with briar rabbit speaks to the wonder of the ride. Most people don’t know our care about the IP tie in
, it’s about a rabbit that tricks a fox and bear using some kind of reverse psychology.
The ride itself isn’t racist, at least as far as I could tell. However, it is based on a racist movie. It’s hard to separate something from its origin, so I agree that it was time for a retheme.
Are you aware that the Uncle Remus stories were created by abolitionist? Joel Chandler Harris. Look him up.
“Throughout his career, Harris actively promoted racial reconciliation as well as African-American education, suffrage, and equality. He regularly denounced racism”
I’ll Never give up to save splash mountain!#justiceforsongofthesouth #savesplashmountain #savesplashmountain2024
Disney is making a mistake retheming splash mountain to appease a vocal minority that don’t even patronize the parks. Woke cancel culture hates capitalist corporations like Disney, and will never be appeased. They will always find something that is “problematic” to cancel. Thousands or millions of dollars would be wasted taking away something many people love, and no one actually hates.
There’s nothing wrong with splash mountain, and no retheme is necessary. But if Disney were to retheme, they should retheme all of critter country based off native American cultures. The rivers of America already have an entire section dedicated to new Orleans. That section of the park was traditionally native Americans. Walt Disney’s vision would be considered racist by today’s woke standards. But Disneyland should honor Disney, not just the trendy political demands of the irrational online cancel mob.
I think it’s a great idea to retheme Splash Mountain and don’t see it as “woke”. It’s a smart business decision. Newer visitors and the current generation don’t know Song of the South, but they do know Princess & the Frog. My own children thought the theming was strange when we first rode. Besides, the actual mechanics of the ride aren’t changing, just the theming. It will still be a fun ride. While I personally will miss zip-a-dee-doo-dah, I look forward to the Princess & the Frog songs with enthusiasm.
Everyone who writes articles like this needs to get one thing straight: THIS RIDE IS NOT BASED ON SONG OF THE SOUTH. It is based on an animated story told by the character Uncle Remus within that movie. The retheming, while fine in itself, should not be done because of any PERCEIVED racism.
Really trying to understand WHY, the majority of of the people who rode this ride over the years never considered it to be racist .The woke agenda made this ride a racist issue.so very sad
I’m disappointed, we love the ride and theme! I have ridden Splash many times over the years and only witnessed smiles and laughter form young and old of every background.