Splash Mountain to become Princess and the Frog ride

[Krandor]

I’m confused if Splash Mountain is very problematic then why is Disney still selling some Splash Mountain Merch on ShopDisney? And then if they sell splash Mountain farewell shirts, wouldn’t they be contradicting themselves.

Splash mountain itself isn't problematic but the IP it is based off of is. It is like a building named for a "bad" person. The building isn't a problem but the name on it is.

I love the ride as it is and will be sad to see it change but I totlly understand why it needs to. Once the decision was made SotS wouldn't be on D+ even with a disclaimer this was only a matter of time. What do you tell a kid who wants to know more about the characters in the ride?

 

[Jiminy76]

Perhaps this is where Reflections budget is going!

Parks and DVC are two different operating units with in Disney who operate on entirely separate budgets.

 

[BrianL]

You know, part of the issue is that PatF doesn't fit anywhere really. It's too modern to be in Fantasyland. Actually, though, do you know where it fits completely? Main Street U.S.A. It's 1910-ish and Tiana would be right at home. MK has a plot of land that was going to have the big theater - that's what I would have done. Build something new there and give Main Street U.S.A. it's first actual attraction.

 

[Farro]

Parks and DVC are two different operating units with in Disney who operate on entirely separate budgets.

It was a joke.

 

[BrianL]

It was a joke.

What's a joke, Farro?

 

[FatBambi]

I’m confused if Splash Mountain is very problematic then why is Disney still selling some Splash Mountain Merch on ShopDisney? And then if they sell splash Mountain farewell shirts, wouldn’t they be contradicting themselves.

Well, you aren't necessarily wrong. But as you can see, this ride has a lot of followers, and there are a lot of people including myself who love it for nostalgia. I don't think the ride is necessarily wrong, but the roots are problematic. We don't need to need it to be the most racist thing that exists in history to acknowledge that while it could be worse, it could also be better. It's a very sticky topic.

 

[Mit88]

They did not announce any kind of timeline. Don't assume it will be closed for the 50th.

Im just going on what Disney has done in the past in regards to redoing existing rides into a new ride. It’s typically not very long after the announcement that the closure occurs. Not giving a timeline doesn’t mean it WILL be open for the 50th. They could have announced it for DL to get the news off of their postponement and then down the line announced the change was also coming to WDW. I’d be very happy if I could make a few more trips down there and go on Splash, but I’m going to be saying my goodbyes in August, just in case

 

[mkb3]

I hate this and love this all at the same time.

I get where Song of the South can be considered racists, I do not see how this attraction can be. I personally think PC culture has gone too far and most people had no clue of the relationship between the ride and the movie. With that being said I'm pumped it's Princess and the Frog. One of my all time favorite Disney movies, I can see where the theming and music will be awesome. I personally think it will play in fine with Frontierland.

 

[JM_97]

You know, part of the issue is that PatF doesn't fit anywhere really. It's too modern to be in Fantasyland. Actually, though, do you know where it fits completely? Main Street U.S.A. It's 1910-ish and Tiana would be right at home. MK has a plot of land that was going to have the big theater - that's what I would have done. Build something new there and give Main Street U.S.A. it's first actual attraction.

I mean Song of the South and by association Splash Mountain was based in Georgia. That doesn't scream Frontierland either. Plus if you put a PATF ride on Main Street and you want to get rid of Splash, what do you do with the "old" Splash?

 

[Tonyz]

You know, part of the issue is that PatF doesn't fit anywhere really. It's too modern to be in Fantasyland. Actually, though, do you know where it fits completely? Main Street U.S.A. It's 1910-ish and Tiana would be right at home. MK has a plot of land that was going to have the big theater - that's what I would have done. Build something new there and give Main Street U.S.A. it's first actual attraction.

I don't like the movie, but I think PatF would have been awesome as a themed dining attraction at Port Orleans like Hoop Dee Doo. Great New Orleans style cooking and the music of the movie. Celebrating Tiana's accomplishment as a restaurant owner.

Or we can just slap it onto a classic ride to appease those who live to be offended.

 

[chasgoose]

For those out there that truly believe, this "has been discussed for well over a year", I have a bridge that I'm selling in Brooklyn that I can give you for a great price

I doubt they somehow managed to throw this together in a month while social distancing and dealing with a whole host of bigger issues with the parks, but even if that were the case, why would it be a problem? I can only see it as a positive that Disney and others are finally taking the pain and voices of BIPOC seriously. It's about time.

 

[20yBWDW]

Look, I love Splash Mountain. As I said in another thread, I have an attachment to it because that song was the vivid memory of my first trip as a very young child.

But for me, it is just a theme park ride with some great fleeting memories attached. In the big picture, it is a small thing to give up as part of the evolution of our country to one that truly reflects the ideals of equality. As long as we hold onto things that gloss over or romanticize slavery and racism, for no other reason than tradition and nostalgia, we perpetuate the notion that one race matters less than others. So we give up something dear, because we have to for something much dearer and much greater.

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

What's a joke, Farro?

Joke (noun): something said or done to promote laughter. Ex: what Disney does to its guests for a quick laugh by tempting them to take a raft ride over to Tom Sawyer island only for them to find it a complete waste of their time

 

[SaintsManiac]

Im just going on what Disney has done in the past in regards to redoing existing rides into a new ride. It’s typically not very long after the announcement that the closure occurs. Not giving a timeline doesn’t mean it WILL be open for the 50th. They could have announced it for DL to get the news off of their postponement and then down the line announced the change was also coming to WDW. I’d be very happy if I could make a few more trips down there and go on Splash, but I’m going to be saying my goodbyes in August, just in case

I think it would be strange to close it before then. Yes I am being selfish because I want to ride it again, but since most of the initial work is being done behind the scenes I would think they keep it going. Who knows? I'll be super sad if I don't get to ride it again before the closure.

 

[Mit88]

I doubt they somehow managed to throw this together in a month while social distancing and dealing with a whole host of bigger issues with the parks, but even if that were the case, why would it be a problem? I can only see it as a positive that Disney and others are finally taking the pain and voices of BIPOC seriously. It's about time.

If Boss Logic can put together incredible art work based on IP’s within a matter of days, I’m sure Disney has an artist that could conduct this type of artwork in a matter of a month. I’m not saying I dont believe that this hasn’t been in the works for a number of years, because there have been rumors in the past, but I’m not so certain this was a definitive plan up until recently

 

[Runnsally]

Only downside for me is a missed opportunity to make the ride different on each coast, but I get that was never going to happen ($).

 

[SierraT]

Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion are next.

I think it’s dumb, but we all have opinions.

 

[BrianL]

I mean Song of the South and by association Splash Mountain was based in Georgia. That doesn't scream Frontierland either.

As mentioned, the folktales from the movie don't take place anywhere - they come from old Native American and African American stories. They made it fit by tweaking the music for each park.

Plus if you put a PATF ride on Main Street and you want to get rid of Splash, what do you do with the "old" Splash?

Um...KEEP IT.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion are next.

I think it’s dumb, but we all have opinions.

Am I totally missing something offensive about HM...?

 

[Mit88]

I think it would be strange to close it before then. Yes I am being selfish because I want to ride it again, but since most of the initial work is being done behind the scenes I would think they keep it going. Who knows? I'll be super sad if I don't get to ride it again before the closure.

It would absolutely be strange. Like I said, having cranes and scaffolding covering that area during a celebration like the 50th isn’t a very good aesthetically celebratory look. Thats the one hope that I have that it’s not going to be closed until after next October. But Disney doesnt often surprise me much these days