Legendary American amusement parks Disneyland and Disney World are to ‘completely reimagine’ their Splash Mountain ride.
A log-flume ride, Splash Mountain, which opened in 1989, is not formally based on any Disney movie or production – as are many of the parks’ other attractions – but features characters and imagery that link it to the 1946 release, Song of the South.
Song of the South – a mix of animation and live action – is set somewhere in the Reconstruction-era southern United States, and depicts folk tales told by ‘Uncle Remus’ (played by James Baskett). Although respected for its technical merits and memorable music, it has been the subject of controversy for its depiction of life at that time, and specifically the experience of black people.
Disney has effectively distanced itself from the movie in the United States, and it has never been released there on video or DVD. It has been released in some European and Asian markets.
According to a statement from Disney, the new ride will be based on the 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first black ‘princess’
The statement said: ‘Tiana [the central character and “princess” of the movie] is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou….
‘The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.’
Disney’s statement notably made no mention of the existing content of Splash Mountain. Some observers have suggested that the decision was taken in light of the current wave of activism around race and racism.