Disney’s Splash Mountain Closes in Preparation for New Princess and the Frog Ride
Disney’s infamous Splash Mountain ride took one final lap around the Walt Disney World park in Florida. Some guests waited up to three hours for their turn at the last ride before officially closing down on January 22.
Splash Mountain, one of the park’s most popular rides, was introduced in 1989 in Disneyland and in 1992 at Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, the ride was not as sweet and wholesome as some may remember. Splash Mountain was based on the 1946 live-action film Song of the South, which poorly depicted “race relations in the post-Civil War South.”
The film was so controversial that it was re-released multiple times in 1956, 1972, 1980, and 1986. Additionally, there was no straight-to-DVD version, and that film is not on Disney+.
Walt Disney started to change the ride in 2020 when the song “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” was removed as it is believed to have racist pre-Civil War connotations. At the time of the removal, Disney stated, “The removal of the song from Downtown Disney’s background music is part of a continuous process to deliver an environment that features stories that are relevant and inclusive.”
Moving forward, Splash Mountain will be rethemed to bring guests into the world of The Princess and the Frog. The new ride, aptly titled Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, will feature Princess Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be a continuation of the 2009 film in which Princess Tiana, Naveen, and Louis, the jazz-loving alligator, will travel through the bayou as they prepare to host a Mardi Gras celebration like no other.
While some visitors are struggling with the idea of this change, it’s crucial to remember that the logistics of the ride will remain the same; however, removing racist undertones to uplift one of Disney’s history-making princesses is a step in the right direction and should be celebrated.
Did people act this way when they closed:
– Maelstrom
– Body Wars
– The Studio Backlot Tour
– The Great Movie Ride
– ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
– 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
– Horizons
– Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
No, they didn’t. Let’s question why that is.— Amanda 🏰 (@HappilyAmanda_) January 22, 2023
Let’s be honest about Splash Mountain. The “ride” isn’t going to change. The music from Princess and the Frog is better. The characters from Princess and the Frog are better. Literally everything has the potential to be better than what we currently have. I said what I said.— ImagineEars Podcast Synergy Machine (@Imagine_Ears) January 18, 2023
Walt Disney Imagineers are making sure that no detail is left out as they have done extensive research by traveling to Louisiana and consulting chefs, academics, musicians, and a variety of other locations to ensure that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure remains true to the film and Louisiana itself.
As Splash Mountain has officially closed, the work to create a lively ride straight out of The Princess and the Frog begins as guests await its opening in 2024.
Writer | Tweet me @brittanyskylerr
